Arequipa – Colca Canyon Tour (Full day)
From Arequipa / Chivay / Colca - Cruz del Condor / Arequipa
The adventure begins with the pick up from your hotel between 03:00 a.m. and 03:30 a.m., to leave for the impressive Colca Valley, considered one of the deepest canyons in the world. During the journey, we will cross the National Reserve of Salinas and Aguada Blanca, where it will be possible to observe vicuñas, llamas, alpacas and Andean flamingos in their natural habitat.
Cards
Opciones del Tour
We will make a stop at the Mirador de los Volcanes, the highest point of the tour (4,910 m.a.s.l.), from where we will enjoy a privileged view of the western mountain range. After approximately 3 hours of travel, we will arrive to Chivay (3,651 m.a.s.l.), appreciating on the way the beautiful landscapes of the Colca Valley.
We will continue to the emblematic Cruz del Condor, one of the best places to observe the depth of the canyon and the majestic flight of the Andean condor, in addition to taking unforgettable photographs.
On the way back, we will visit the viewpoints of Pinchollo and Antahuilque, where we will appreciate the impressive Inca terraces of the Collagua culture, as well as the hanging tombs of Choquetico and the litomaquetas. We will also visit the picturesque villages of Maca and Yanque, highlighting the beautiful colonial church of the latter.
Back in Chivay, we will enjoy lunch and then we will go to the thermal baths of La Calera, where we will have approximately one hour to relax in its thermal medicinal waters.
Finally, we will return to the city of Arequipa, arriving at approximately 05:30 p.m., culminating an experience full of landscapes, culture and nature.
Pick-up and drop-off from hotels located in Puno city center.
The service takes place approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time, to ensure a punctual and organized experience.
Note:
After lunch in Chivay, you may choose to travel directly to Puno instead of returning to Arequipa. Arrival at approximately 7:00 p.m., with transfer to the hotel included. Additional cost: USD 30.00 per person.
What’s Included:
- Transfers to and from your centrally located hotel.
- Comfortable and safe tourist transportation.
- Bilingual Official Tourist Guide (Spanish / English).
- Continental breakfast.
- Buffet lunch.
What’s not included:
- Personal expenses and extra expenses.
- Colca Tourist Ticket (BTC):
- Nationals: S/ 20.00
- South Americans: S/ 40.00
- Foreigners: S/ 70.00
- Entrance to the thermal baths of La Calera (optional): S/. 15.00 per person.
| APPROX. TIME | ITINERARY |
|---|---|
| 03:30 AM | Pick up from your hotel and start the trip to the Colca Valley. |
| 07:00 AM | Arrival to Chivay and continental breakfast. |
| 07:30 AM | Departure to the Cruz del Condor viewpoint to observe the canyon and the flight of the Andean condor. |
| 09:00 AM | Visit to traditional Colca villages, natural viewpoints and colonial temples. |
| 12:00 PM | Arrival at the thermal baths of La Calera (free time to relax). |
| 01:00 PM | Lunch in Chivay. |
| 01:45 PM | Departure from Chivay and return to Arequipa. |
| 05:30 P.M. | Arrival in Arequipa and transfer to centrally located hotels. |
Recommendations:
- Carry a valid passport and/or identity card.
- Wear clothes for different climates: light coat for cold mornings, cool clothes for midday and a jacket for windy afternoons.
- Cap or hat, sunscreen and sunglasses for adequate protection.
- Drinks and/or snacks for the road.
- Comfortable footwear suitable for hiking.
- Cash for the purchase of souvenirs or local souvenirs.
- Take precautions against altitude sickness (soroche); it is recommended to take pills such as Sorojchi Pills.
- Bathing suit (optional) to enjoy the thermal baths of La Calera.
- Bring cash in soles to pay the entrance fee to Chivay.
Review view + Form
Recorrido muy completo y bien organizado
Visitar estas islas es una experiencia que vale la pena. El guía no sllevó en lancha hasta las islas Uros, donde pudimos conversar con las familias locales y luego dar un paseo en los típicos barcos elaborados con juncos.
Despues continuamos el recorrido por el lago Titicaca hasta Taquile. Allí nos recibieron con música y danzas típicas en un pequeño mercado artesanal. Luego almorzamos y mientras comíamos, el guía nos contó detalles sobre la historia y la cultura del lugar.
Yo elegí hacerlo en lancha rápida, lo cual recomiendo totalmente. Se pueden dejar las pertenencias en la lancha ya ques es la misma embarcación la que acompaña todo el recorrido.
La excursión tenía recojo y devuelta al hotel, así que, en resúmen, un recorrido muy completo y bien organizado ideal para conocer la vida y tradiciones en el lago.
Very complete and well organized tour
Visiting these islands is a worthwhile experience. The guide took us by boat to the Uros islands, where we could talk with local families and then take a ride on the typical boats made of reeds.
Then we continued the tour of Lake Titicaca to Taquile. There we were welcomed with music and typical dances in a small handicraft market. Then we had lunch and while we ate, the guide told us details about the history and culture of the place.
I chose to do it by speedboat, which I highly recommend. You can leave your belongings in the boat since it is the same boat that accompanies you throughout the tour.
The excursion had pick up and drop off at the hotel, so, in short, a very complete and well organized tour, ideal to learn about life and traditions in the lake.
Passeio muito completo e bem organizado
A visita a essas ilhas é uma experiência que vale a pena. O guia nos levou de barco até as Ilhas Uros, onde pudemos conversar com as famílias locais e depois fazer um passeio nos típicos barcos de junco.
Em seguida, continuamos nossa viagem pelo Lago Titicaca até Taquile. Lá, fomos recebidos com música e danças típicas em um pequeno mercado de artesanato. Em seguida, almoçamos e, enquanto comíamos, o guia nos contou detalhes sobre a história e a cultura do lugar.
Optei por fazer o passeio de lancha, o que recomendo muito. Você pode deixar seus pertences na lancha, pois é a mesma lancha que o acompanha durante todo o trajeto.
A excursão tinha embarque e desembarque no hotel, portanto, em resumo, um passeio muito completo e bem organizado, ideal para conhecer a vida e as tradições do lago.
