Arequipa & Colca Canyon 5 Days
3 Days from $ USD 100.00
Arequipa & Colca Canyon 5 Days
c3 Days from $ USD 100.00
Overview
We will pick you up at your hotel very early in the morning to leave Arequipa towards the city of Chivay, in a 3-hour road trip. Let’s say that the full day Colca Canyon begins with the arrival to Yanque where we will have our breakfast. From here, more recovered from the early wake up and the long trip, we will continue our journey to the Cruz del Condor, nesting place of these birds that reach up to 3 m with their wings outstretched. We will be able to visit the viewpoint and observe them in flight. Then, we will continue by vehicle through Choquetico, Maca and Antahuilque, a viewpoint where we can appreciate the Colca Valley in all its splendor and the pre-Inca terraces that are still used today for planting grains and other crops.
The next stop is the hot springs of Chacapi to relax for an hour. Afterwards, we will go again to Chivay, where we will stop for lunch at a tourist restaurant (S/ 40 per person). After this, we will take our vehicle to start the return trip to Arequipa, but not before making a couple of stops at the Mirador de los Volcanes, located at 4800 altitude and from where you have a privileged view of the volcanoes surrounding the area. We will also stop at the Pampa Cañahuas National Reserve, a wetland where you can see vicuñas and alpacas. Afterwards, we will not stop until we reach the center of Arequipa, where our tour ends.
*During the visit to the viewpoint of Condors, you will have the possibility to take advantage of the time in that place, or visit the Pinchollo lagoon, where you can observe Andean birds and a cactus forest.
Chivay – Puno connection
In case you have a bus ticket from Chivay to Puno leaving between 12:45 and 13:15, you can finish this tour in Chivay, which means missing the last part of the tour between Chivay and Arequipa (Mirador de los Volcanes and Mirador Pampa Cañahuas national reserve).
This must be requested at reservas@denomades.com once the reservation is made online. It should be noted that the ticket must be purchased prior to the tour, since they are limited and sold out in advance. The bus companies that offer the route Chivay – Puno are 4M, May Tour and Rutas del Sur.
Trip Details
- Attractions: Colca Canyon
- Type of Package: Adventure – Nature – Trekking
- Elevation: Min: 3635masl | Max: 3800masl
- Duration of tour: Full Day
- Difficulty: Easy | Moderate | Difficult
- Availability: Every day (advance reservation).
- Group Type:
- Private Service (Minimum 2 paxs)
- Shared Service (Maximum 15 paxs)
Highlights
Chivay: It is a town in Peru, capital of the Province of Caylloma, located at 3,635 meters above sea level on the western slope of the Andes Mountains, in the upper part of the Colca Canyon. The thermal baths called La Calera are located 3 km away.
Cruz del Condor: This viewpoint is located at the edge of the canyon. The Colca River flows below at a depth of 1,200 meters, while the wall in front of the canyon reaches a height of 3,100 meters, whose summits show the perpetual ice and the condors fly majestically below. Experiences of previous visitors indicate that the view from there is spectacular.
Make the most of your visit to the Colca Canyon.
Arequipa
Arrive in Arequipa and transfer to your hotel.
Arequipa (1B)
Dubbed the “White City” for its pearly white volcanic rock, Arequipa is surrounded by over 80 volcanoes and possesses fine colonial-era Spanish architecture. A guided tour includes visits to the main plaza with its cafés and cathedral.
History buffs can take an optional visit to the working Convent of Santa Catalina for a unique glimpse into convent life. Spectacular mountains surround Arequipa, the most famous of which is El Misti Volcano at 5822 meters.
Arequipa/Colca Canyon (1B)
Transfer to Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world. This remarkable drive through Inca and pre-Inca terracing will astound and amaze.
Colca Canyon (1B)
The canyon is rich with wildlife and stunning scenery. Watch out for the “King of the Andes,” the Andean Condor, and be sure to photograph the alpacas and llamas while exploring this geological marvel.
Arequipa (1B)
You’ll be picked up at your hotel for your airport transfer
Included
- Arrival and departure transfers. Guided sightseeing tour of Arequipa. Hiking excursions in Colca Canyon. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
- 5 breakfasts. (Allow USD100-150 for meals not included.)
- Comfort hotels (5 nts).
- Car, private van, shuttle, walking.
- Chief Experience Officer (CEO), local guides
No Included
- Tips
- Extras
Recommendations
PREPARATION OF THE COLCA CANYON
The Colca Canyon trekking on your own is not technically difficult, but there are some inconveniences that you should take into account:
The altitude. The bottom of the canyon in this section is at 2,000 meters above sea level, while the surface reaches 4,000 and that is crazy.
Specifically, there is a continuous climb from 2,200 to 3,200 meters above sea level that you have to do in one morning. If you are not acclimatized you can get a shock, so be careful with this. Here is a guide with everything you need to know about altitude sickness and how to avoid it.
Heat and dehydration. In the Colca Canyon it can be very, very hot and there is little vegetation. It is important to drink plenty of water and be vigilant to make sure it lasts.
If you are in Arequipa, I recommend that you go to the iPerú office to get updated information about the route and transportation schedules. Don’t worry, these are the official tourist offices of Peru and they won’t try to sell you anything
The slope continues. I don’t know if it’s the running, the age or that I’m walking weird, but an hour of intense downhill for me blows out my knees.
The Colca Canyon route is well signposted. I would say that the chances of getting lost are nil, but we don’t know each other and I don’t want you to die of thirst in the middle of the desert.
I swear I don’t earn commission for this, but it’s basically a Google maps that works offline and it’s very useful when traveling.
What to take to do the Colca Canyon
In order not to roll up like blinds in every trekking entry, I refer you to this article with the necessary hiking equipment to do any route. In addition to all the basics, for the Colca Canyon route I give you three tips:
Don’t forget a cap or hat and lots of sunscreen because the sun is destructive and there is hardly any shade.
Walking poles are highly recommended for the steep descents.
It is likely that you will not have a power outlet in your room the night you spend at the Sangalle Oasis, or that you will be charged for charging your cell phone. We travel with a solar charger like this one that saves us on these occasions. For this we do get a commission, but it costs you the same and I assure you that it is super practical.
What to Bring
- Day pack
- Hiking shoes
- Water bottle, hat, sun block, sunglasses
- Warm clothes
- Chocolates, candies or other snacks
- Photo Camera
Faqs Arequipa & Colca Canyon 5 Days
How many kilometers is the Colca Canyon route?
There are 15 km from the start, at the Mirador de San Miguel, to Cabanaconde.
How many days does it take to do the Colca Canyon route?
The Colca Canyon route is done in two days and one night.
Is it possible to get to the Colca Canyon without a tour?
Yes, there are regular buses from Arequipa to Chivay that take 3 hours (15 soles).
How deep is the Colca Canyon?
The Colca Canyon reaches 4,150 meters deep at some points. To give you an idea of the difference in altitude we are talking about, only 5 countries in Europe have mountains of that height.
Is it difficult to trek the Colca Canyon?
It is hard because of the altitude, but it is not difficult. The Colca Canyon trek is totally safe, has no technical difficulty and is well signposted. For all this and much more, we recommend you to do the Colca Canyon trekking on your own and without any tour.
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Recommendations
PREPARATION OF THE COLCA CANYON
The Colca Canyon trekking on your own is not technically difficult, but there are some inconveniences that you should take into account:
The altitude. The bottom of the canyon in this section is at 2,000 meters above sea level, while the surface reaches 4,000 and that is crazy.
Specifically, there is a continuous climb from 2,200 to 3,200 meters above sea level that you have to do in one morning. If you are not acclimatized you can get a shock, so be careful with this. Here is a guide with everything you need to know about altitude sickness and how to avoid it.
Heat and dehydration. In the Colca Canyon it can be very, very hot and there is little vegetation. It is important to drink plenty of water and be vigilant to make sure it lasts.
If you are in Arequipa, I recommend that you go to the iPerú office to get updated information about the route and transportation schedules. Don’t worry, these are the official tourist offices of Peru and they won’t try to sell you anything
The slope continues. I don’t know if it’s the running, the age or that I’m walking weird, but an hour of intense downhill for me blows out my knees.
The Colca Canyon route is well signposted. I would say that the chances of getting lost are nil, but we don’t know each other and I don’t want you to die of thirst in the middle of the desert.
I swear I don’t earn commission for this, but it’s basically a Google maps that works offline and it’s very useful when traveling.
What to take to do the Colca Canyon
In order not to roll up like blinds in every trekking entry, I refer you to this article with the necessary hiking equipment to do any route. In addition to all the basics, for the Colca Canyon route I give you three tips:
Don’t forget a cap or hat and lots of sunscreen because the sun is destructive and there is hardly any shade.
Walking poles are highly recommended for the steep descents.
It is likely that you will not have a power outlet in your room the night you spend at the Sangalle Oasis, or that you will be charged for charging your cell phone. We travel with a solar charger like this one that saves us on these occasions. For this we do get a commission, but it costs you the same and I assure you that it is super practical.
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- Included Food
- Altitude
- Group Size
- Accoomodation
- Physical Level Moderate