Colca Canyon & trip to puno.

Program: 2 days / 1 night

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

Our excursion to the Colca Canyon starts at 08:00 h. Our clients are collected from their hotels by our local guide/representative. Afterwards we will board a private machine and then we 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 the Hotel Pozo del Cielo *** o similar in the Colca Valley.

What is included on this day?

• Pick up from your hotel in Arequipa.
• Private transportation from Arequipa to the Colca Canyon (Group service - Average 6 people).
• Entrance fees to the Colca Canyon National Park.
• Professional English speaking guide.
• Entrance fees to the hot springs of La Calera in Chivay (the hotel provide the towels).
• Meals (Dinner).
• Accommodation at the Hotel Pozo del Cielo *** or similar (Double or Matrimonial Room Standar).

What is not included?

• Extras & gratuities.
• Accommodation in Arequipa.

2° Day: Cruz del Condor - Private departure to the City of Puno

In order to see the mighty Condor, you will wake up at 05:00 hrs, breakfast will be served at 05:30 hrs, and by 06:00 hrs, we will be driving towards the “Cruz del Condor”, a natural lookout point where you can see Condors flying over the canyon. On the way to Cruz del Condor you will enjoy spectacular views of the canyon and will see hundreds of ancient agricultural terraces carved onto the slopes of the mountains. The people from these regions dedicate their life solely to agriculture, therefore you will see many fields full of crops (depending on the season you visit it), mainly potatoes, corn, barley and other products native from Peru. While driving along the edge of the Colca Canyon you can observe the great Colca River and also some small communities. At one point we will stumble upon a strange rock, where ancient architectures carved terraces, testing perhaps which parts of the Canyon were suitable for cultivation. In addition, you will also see mysterious hanging tombs on the hillsides. After approximately 2 hours we will reach the lookout point known as Cruz del Condor, where we will spend an hour or so, observing the giant Andean Condors as well as amazing views of the Canyon. Afterwards, we will return to the village of Chivay, where we will have lunch. Later on we will head towards the city of Puno, crossing the Altiplano (high andean plateau). The journey lasts about 4 hours and offers fine views of little lakes located along the road. Upon your arrival in Puno, you will be drop off at your hotel. End of the tour.

What is included on this day?

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Guided visit to the Cruz del Condor.
• Lunch buffet at the little town of Chivay.
• Private transportation from Chivay to the city of Puno (Group service - Average 6 people).
• Drop off at your hotel in Puno.

What is not included?

• Extras & gratuities.
• Accommodation in Puno.

Departures:

09:00 hrs. / at request.

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 request.

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.