Our Colca Canyon & Trip to Puno program includes 2 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 car ride directly from the Colca Valley to the city of Puno stopping along the way at various natural spots of interest. We will visit the natural lookout point known as Cruz del Condor where it is possible to get a close-up of the Andean Condor. On our trip we also visit the hot springs at the village of Chivay, a nice spot where you can relax.
Photo Gallery of Colca Canyon.
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.
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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.
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Departures:
09:00 hrs. / at request.
You need to bring:
Additional information:
Travel voucher:.
Local Operator Information:
Important: We need a minimum of 2 participants for this program.
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