Colca Canyon in Arequipa

Colca Canyon

The Colca Valley is an area of astounding scenic beauty, with giant Andean terraces and a deep canyon that reaches a depth of 3140 meters. A journey to the Colca valley will take you through high Andean plateau, reaching at one point a high pass of 4800 meters, which offers fine views of the Volcanoes of Arequipa. Along the way visitors can enjoy unique natural sceneries, as well as wild life; such as herds of Vicuñas (a wild relative of Llamas and Alpacas) and various types of birds, of which stand out the giant hummingbird, eagles, gooses and the mighty Andean Condor. If you like adventure tours, the Canyon also offers wonderful treks down to its button, descending throughout huge mountains, exploring oasis-like valleys, thermal springs, and camping outdoors.

Arequipa Main Plaza Cruz del Condor Lookout point
Condor flying over the Canyon Colonial Church at the Colca Valley

TOUR TO THE Colca Canyon

Program: 2 days / 1 night

Day 1º: Bus ride to the Colca Canyon - Overnight at the Colca Valley

Our excursion to the Colca Canyon starts at 07:30 h. Our clients are collected from their hotels by our local guide/representative. Afterwards we will board a small bus and will drive northwest following a paved road towards the “Colca Canyon”. Before leaving Arequipa, we will stop at a small shop where our clients can purchase some chocolates, candies and coca leaves. Later on we will continue till Pampas Cañahuas (3500 m/11,482 Ft), a National Reserve where visitors may spot some Vicuñas & Alpacas. Unlike the Alpacas, Vicuñas are wild animals, and still can be seen running freely on these high plateaus. We will stop at this national park and our local guide will provide information about these shy Andean camels. Then we continue our journey to the Colca Canyon, little further up we will stop again at the little restaurant of Viscachani, where you can enjoy a stunning scenery of the Andes and also drink a typical coca tea. Afterwards we will continue ascending a dirt road till we reach the highest point of our trip, “The Lookout Point of the Andes (4,800 m /15,748 Ft). At the very top, we will get off of the bus some minutes to observe the landscape, having in the background the volcanoes Ubinas, Mismi, Misti, Chachani, Sabancaya (active) and Ampato. Later on we will drive down hill to the main village of the Colca Canyon, the Village of Chivay (3600 m / 11.811 Ft). In this town we will have lunch in one typical Andean restaurant, where visitors may enjoy their meals accompanied by Andean musicians. After lunch our clients will be transferred to our lodge located in a little village at edge of the Canyon.
Late, in the afternoon, you may walk around the village and get to know better the rural life in this corner of Peru. By the afternoon we will go to swim and relax to the Hot Springs of the Colca Valley (35° C / 95º F), a nice pool outdoors surrounded by huge mountains. After sunset, we will return to our lodge where we will enjoy a good Andean buffet. Overnight at our lodge in the Colca Valley.

2° Day: Early visit to the Cruz del Condor - Return to Arequipa.

In order to see the mighty Condor, you will wake up at 05:00 h, breakfast will be served at 05:30 h, and by 06:00 h. we will be driving towards the “Cruz del Condor”, a natural lookout point where you can see the flight of the Condors (we won’t return to the hotel, which means you must bring all your staff along with you on the bus). On the road we will have the best view of the Colca Valley, as we drive along the edge of the Canyon, seeing on route ancient terraces still in use by the local farmers, who grow mainly varieties of corn and potatoes. We will make some stops for photos, and our local guide will give us a good insight into the Colca Canyon history. Here you will stumble upon a great rock, where ancient architectures carved the terraces, testing (perhaps) which parts of the Canyon were suitable for cultivation. This is a good place also to see the “Colca River” and hanging pre-Inca tombs. After approximately 2 hours we will reach Cruz del Condor, where we will spend an hour or so, observing the beautiful flight of the Condors as well as the depth of the Canyon. Eventually, we will return to the village of Chivay, passing typical towns along the way. At around 12:00 h, we will stop at a local restaurant at the town of Chivay for lunch and afterwards will return to Arequipa. We will be back in Arequipa around 17:00 h. Upon your arrival you will be transferred to your hotel in Arequipa.

End of the tour.

Included:

  • Pick up from your hotel in Arequipa.
  • Tourist bus transportation.
  • Entrance fees to the Colca Canyon National Park.
  • Professional English speaking guide.
  • 01 night accommodation at the Colca Valley. (rooms with private bathrooms, hot water and heaters)
  • Entrance fees to the hot springs of La Calera in Chivay. (the hotel provide the towels)
  • All meals included. (1 Breakfast / 2 Lunches / 1 Dinner)
  • Drop off at your hotel in Arequipa at the end of the tour.

No included:

  • Extras & gratuities.
  • Accommodation in Arequipa.

Daily departures: 07:30 h.

Finishing time: 17:30 h. (approx.)

Price: Available upon request. Send us an e-mail to info@mysteryperu.com and we will reply as soon as possible or within 24 hours at the most.

You need to bring:

  • On this tour you must bring warm clothing, as the weather in Colca Canyon used to be very cold, especially in winter time (from June to September) when temperatures drop fast in the afternoon and nights are freezing due to the altitude (3600 m / 11.811 Ft.)

Additional information:

  • All your personal information is required at the moment of your booking.
  • Confirmation of the excursion will be received at time of booking.
  • All tours are operated in English unless otherwise stated.

Travel voucher:

  • You will receive an electronic voucher via e-mail once your booking is confirmed.
  • For every confirmed booking you will be required to print your electronic voucher for presentation at the moment we start the excursion. The electronic voucher acts as a confirmation for all the services you have requested.

Local Operator Information:

  • We will send you complete operator information, including phone numbers at your destination.
  • Our Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.

Accommodation in Arequipa:

  • In order to meet you easily in the city of Arequipa, we might book also a hotel or hostel for you depending on your budget and preferences. We have especial deals with hotels and hostels in Arequipa. Do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Colca Canyon TOUR options

Full Day Excursion to the Colca Canyon from Arequipa

This is a wonderful option to visit the famous Colca Canyon in just one day. Our full day program to the Colca Canyon allows visitors to see amazing Andean landscape as well as colourful little Andean villages. Our program includes the visit to the Cruz del Condor, a natural lookout point located at the edge of the Colca Canyon, from where it is possible to observe the mighty Andean Condor. At this lookout point visitors may also walk on their own and get impressive views of the canyon, as well as the gigantic mountains surrounding this spot. For further details about this program click on the image.

Click here

Click here

Full Day Excursion to the Colca Canyon and then travel to Puno

This is a program especially designed for those travellers with short time available, but wish to know and see this part of Peru. Mystery Peru offers you the perfect excursion travelling from Arequipa to the Colca Canyon on a private machine, visiting the most popular attractions on route, such as the Cruz del Condor natural lookout point, the vicuña reserve of Aguada Blanca, the town of Chivay and the hot springs of la Calera. After touring around the Colca Valley we continue our journey to the city of Puno, enjoying on the way wonderful Andean landscapes.

Colca Canyon & Trip to Puno

2 DAYS / 1 NIGHT PROGRAM

Our Colca Canyon & Trip to Puno program include 2days of full activities. Our journey starts in Arequipa and ends on the Altiplano lands, at the shore of the Lake Titicaca. On this especial program visitors will be able to get the most out of their visit to the Colca Canyon and also will enjoy a spectacular bus ride directly from the Colca Valley to the city of Puno stopping along the way at various natural spots of interest. For further details of this program please click on the image to the right.

Click here

Click here

Colca Canyon & Trip to Puno

3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS PROGRAM

Our Colca Canyon & Trip to Puno program include 3 days of full activities. Our journey starts in Arequipa and ends on the Altiplano lands, at the shore of the Lake Titicaca. On this especial program visitors will be able to get the most out of their visit to the Colca Canyon and also will enjoy a spectacular bus ride directly from the Colca Valley to the city of Puno stopping along the way at various natural spots of interest as well as at the archaeological site of Sillustani, where are situated ancient burial towers, built by pre-Inca cultures some 2000 years ago. For further details of this program please click on the image to the left.

 

 

Contact Us
MYSTERY PERU

Adventure Tour Operator
Telefax: 0051-56 52 23 79
Mobile: 0051-56 956 69 11 55
Skype: mysteryperu
Address: Ignacio Morsesky 126 - Nazca
e-mail: info@mysteryperu.com
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