Peru · National Parks

2-Day Colca Canyon Classic Tour

2 Days Round trip from Pickup service provided in Arequipa. Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Travel from Arequipa through the scenic Colca Valley
  • 02 Visit the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve
  • 03 Spot vicuñas and, if lucky, condors in Colca Canyon
  • 04 Enjoy panoramic volcano viewpoints and Andean landscapes
  • 05 Explore Chivay, its market, and nearby traditional villages
  • 06 Relax at La Calera hot springs
  • 07 See ancient terraces at Antahuilque viewpoint
  • 08 Round-trip hotel transfers in Arequipa included

Discover the dramatic landscapes of Colca Canyon on this 2-day journey from Arequipa through the heart of the Colca Valley. Travel past high-altitude plains, traditional villages, volcano viewpoints, and the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where you may spot vicuñas and other Andean wildlife along the way.

Spend time exploring Chivay and its local market, relax at La Calera hot springs, and visit some of the valley’s most scenic and cultural highlights, including Pinchollo, Maca, Yanque, and ancient pre-Inca terraces. The experience culminates at the famous Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, where you may witness the unforgettable sight of condors soaring above one of the world’s deepest canyons.

Discover the dramatic landscapes of Colca Canyon on this 2-day journey from Arequipa through the heart of the Colca Valley.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Arequipa, Colca Canyon
Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

DAY 1 Arequipa - Colca Valley

Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve

Our adventure begins in the morning in the city of Arequipa, as we embark on an exciting 160 km journey to the city of Chivay.

On the way, we will pass through the charming village of Yura, whose streets and squares have been declared historical monuments.

We will continue our journey through Pampa de Arrieros and Pampa Cañahuas, home to the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve in the Colca Canyon, where majestic vicuñas roam freely. You will have the opportunity to marvel at the beauty of these creatures while admiring this incredible landscape.

Patahuasi - Volcano Viewpoint

We will make a brief stop in Patahuasi so you can enjoy a refreshing coca tea, a traditional hot drink of the Andes that is very helpful for altitude sickness. You will have the chance to admire beautiful birds, such as flamingos, during our short stop at the Tocra wetlands. We will continue along the route, passing by the crater of the Chucura volcano, and stop at a fantastic volcano viewpoint.

We will continue visiting charming picturesque villages and enjoying impressive views of the volcanoes from a lookout point, doing a cultural tour in the villages of the Colca Valley.

Chivay

Finally, we will arrive in Chivay, where you will have free time for lunch (optional). We will transfer you to your hotel for a short rest.

Afterward, we will explore the town of Chivay and its market, immersing ourselves in the Andean culture high in the Colca Canyon. Then, we will visit the La Calera hot springs.

At the end of the day, we will take you back to your hotel in Chivay, Yanque, or Coporaque, depending where your hotel is located.

2
Day 02

DAY 2 Condor Cross - Arequipa

Cruz del Condor Viewpoint

Wake up early to enjoy a delicious breakfast before heading to the famous Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint. We will arrive on time to witness the magnificent depth of the canyon and, if we are lucky, the sighting of condors in the Colca Canyon.

These impressive birds of prey are among the largest in the world, and watching them soar above the canyon and the valley is a magical spectacle you won`t want to miss.

Pinchollo - Antahuilque Viewpoint

On our way back to Chivay, we will visit the traditional village of Pinchollo and the Antahuilque viewpoint, where you can marvel at the ancient terraces built 1,500 years ago by the Collagua culture that preceded the Incas.

Maca, Yanque, Chivay and return to Arequipa

We will continue our exploration by visiting Maca, a charming Andean community that experienced an earthquake in November 1991, and the town of Yanque, famous for having the most beautiful church in the valley. We will return to Chivay so you have time to eat lunch (optional).

Finally, we will return to Arequipa and transfer you to your hotel, concluding an amazing experience in the Colca Valley.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in Arequipa. 2 cities · 2 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Transport to / from the hotel in Arequipa.
  • Transfers valid for accommodations located in Chivay, Yanque and Coporaque (depending on choice).
  • One bottle of water per person, each day.

What's Not Included

  • Hotel at the Colca Valley and Arequipa city
  • Entrance fee to La Calera hot springs

Know before you go

  • INFANTS MUST SIT ON LAPS
  • PASSPORT REQUIRED
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • No public transportation nearby
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • Not recommended for people with heart conditions
  • You should bring hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, coat, comfortable shoes and clothes, spending cash for personal expenses
  • You must be able to walk in unpaved or uneven terrain
  • The Colca Valley has an average altitude of 3,500 M.A.S.L, so we recommend prior acclimatization for the excursion.
  • Pick up from centrally located downtown Arequipa hotels

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Arequipa.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Arequipa.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 2 days finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Arequipa..

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