Tour overview
More than 3,000 m (9,840 ft) deep, Colca Canyon is one of the natural wonders of southern Peru. On this 2-day tour you leave Arequipa and cross the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where vicuñas and alpacas graze. You'll climb to the Volcanoes Lookout at nearly 4,900 m (16,080 ft), then descend into the Colca Valley, with its pre-Inca terraces and colonial villages. In the afternoon you relax in the La Calera hot springs. Early the next morning you reach Cruz del Cóndor to watch Andean condors gliding over the canyon. Magone Viajes takes care of your transport, guide, hotel and meals.
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Best time to travel April to December. June to October is the best time to see condors
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Maximum altitude About 4,900 m / 16,080 ft (Volcanoes Lookout at Patapampa)
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Physical difficulty Easy (short walking stops; the challenge is the altitude)
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Minimum number of passengers 1 adult
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Maximum number of passengers 20 adults in shared service
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Booking lead time 2 to 3 days in advance
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Permits Colca Tourist Ticket, price on request, paid on entering the valley, included or not depending on the program
Highlights
- Colca Canyon in 2 days from Arequipa.
- Route: the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, Patapampa, Chivay, Cruz del Cóndor and the valley villages.
- Vicuñas, alpacas and llamas along the way.
- The La Calera hot springs in Chivay.
- Condors in flight at Cruz del Cóndor.
- Price on request per person, with hotel in Chivay included.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arequipa – Chivay
We pick you up from your hotel at around 8:00 a.m. and head north, with views of the Misti and Chachani volcanoes.
Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve
We stop to see vicuñas, alpacas and llamas in their natural habitat.
Volcanoes Lookout
We reach Patapampa, at about 4,900 m (16,080 ft), the highest point of the trip, with views of the Ampato, Sabancaya and Hualca Hualca volcanoes.
Chivay
We descend into the Colca Valley and arrive in Chivay for buffet lunch, included or not depending on the program.
La Calera hot springs
In the afternoon you can relax in the hot springs. This stop is optional.
Night in Chivay
You stay at a hotel, with the category depending on the program. In the evening you can enjoy a peña, a show of traditional music and dance. This is optional.
Day 2: Cruz del Cóndor – Arequipa
After an early breakfast we set off for Cruz del Cóndor, passing through Yanque, where traditional dances are performed in the square in the mornings.
Cruz del Cóndor
We reach the lookout at around 8:00 a.m., the best time to see Andean condors riding the warm air currents over the canyon.
Valley villages
On the way back we stop at the lookouts and villages of Pinchollo, Maca and Yanque, with their colonial churches and pre-Inca terraces.
Lunch in Chivay
Buffet lunch in Chivay, included or not depending on the program.
Return to Arequipa
In the afternoon we drive back to Arequipa, arriving at around 5:00 p.m.
Tips
- Spend a day acclimatizing in Arequipa before the tour, since the route climbs above 4,800 m (15,750 ft).
- Dress in warm layers and bring a hat and gloves, because Colca mornings are very cold.
- Wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
- If you plan to visit the hot springs, pack a swimsuit and towel.
- Carry cash in soles for the Tourist Ticket, if not included in the program, the hot springs and photos with alpacas.
- If you're prone to altitude sickness, eat light on day one and tell your guide.
What's included
Included
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Arequipa.
- Tourist transport.
- Magone Viajes guide, bilingual depending on the program.
- One night at a hotel in Chivay, category depending on the program, with breakfast.
- 2 buffet lunches, if included in the program.
- Colca Tourist Ticket, if included in the program.
Not included
- Colca Tourist Ticket, if not included.
- La Calera hot springs entrance, price on request.
- Dinner and peña, optional.
- Tips.
- Travel insurance.
- Any services not listed in this program.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do it in one day?
Yes. Magone Viajes offers a full-day tour that leaves Arequipa at around 3:00 a.m. and returns in the afternoon. It's a long day, but handy if you're short on time.
Am I guaranteed to see condors?
Sightings are very likely, especially from June to October, but since they're wild animals they can't be guaranteed.
Will the altitude affect me?
The highest point is Patapampa, at about 4,900 m (16,080 ft), but the stop is short. Chivay sits at about 3,600 m (11,810 ft).
What is the Colca Tourist Ticket?
It's the mandatory valley entrance fee. You pay it on arrival, and it covers Cruz del Cóndor and the villages.
Can I continue to Puno after the tour?
Yes. Some tours end in Puno instead of returning to Arequipa. Just ask when you book.
Is it suitable for kids and older travelers?
Yes, it isn't demanding. Just take care with the altitude and the cold.
