Colca Canyon 2 days / 1 nights
Ubication
Duration
Altitude
Group size
Transport
Difficulty
Description
DAY 1:
Departure from Arequipa at 8:00 AM – Pampa Cañahuas – Chivay – La Calera Hot Springs
DAY 2:
Cruz del Cóndor – visits to the towns of Pinchollo, Maca, Achoma, Yanque, Chivay – Return to Arequipa
Pick-up from your hotel at 8:00 am and departure from Arequipa (2,325 m.a.s.l.) via paved road to Yura, crossing Pampa de Arrieros and Pampa Cañahuas, where you’ll spot wild vicuñas, llamas, alpacas, and migratory birds.
We stop at Viscachani for a coca tea to help with altitude acclimatization. Continuing the journey, we’ll see rocky meadows, small lagoons, and wetlands with possible sightings of flamingos and ibises.
The highest point of the route is Patapampa (4,830 m.a.s.l.), also known as the volcano viewpoint, offering spectacular views of Hualca Hualca, Sabancaya, and Ampato volcanoes. We then descend to Chivay (3,600 m.a.s.l.) for lunch and hotel check-in.
Optional in the afternoon: Visit the La Calera hot springs, where we’ll relax for around 2 hours in thermal waters exceeding 40°C, known for their therapeutic properties.
In the evening, enjoy a typical dinner accompanied by a folkloric music show.
After an early 5:30 am breakfast, we depart for the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, where we’ll spend about 2 hours. This is the perfect place to appreciate the depth of the Colca Canyon and see Andean condors soaring nearby.
On the way back, we visit natural and cultural sites such as pre-Incan terraces, archaeological remains, and scenic canyon views.
We’ll stop in the towns of Pinchollo, Maca, Achoma, and Yanque, where you’ll see colonial churches, artisan centers, and traditional clothing.
We return to Chivay for lunch, then depart for Arequipa, arriving around 5:00 pm.
- Transportation
- Hotel accommodation
- Entrance to Colca Canyon
- Breakfast
- Entrance to La Calera hot springs – S/15.00 per person (optional visit)
- Meals (2 lunches and 1 dinner – we take you to the restaurants, and you pay on-site)
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Expenses not mentioned in the itinerary
- Comfortable clothing for walking and cold weather
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Walking shoes
- Swimsuit (for hot springs)
- Personal hygiene items
- Personal medications
- Water bottle
- Original passport
- Student ID (ISIC), if applicable
- Extra cash in Soles and U.S. dollars
During the journey, you can see wild vicuñas, llamas, alpacas, and migratory birds such as flamingos and ibises.
The highest point is Patapampa, at 4,830 meters above sea level, also known as the Volcano Viewpoint, offering spectacular views of the Hualca Hualca, Sabancaya, and Ampato volcanoes.
At the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, you spend about 2 hours observing the flight of Andean condors and admiring the impressive depth of the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world.
