Duration 1 day
Schedule pickup 02:45 – 03:15 a.m. / arrival in Arequipa 05:30 p.m.
Distance the Colca Valley is 151 km from Arequipa (about 3 hours to Chivay).
Altitude Chivay, the valley's main town, is at 3635 m a.s.l. The highest point of the route is Patapampa, the Volcanoes Viewpoint, at 4910 m a.s.l.
Best time to go all year round, best in April and May
On this 1-day tour, we'll explore Colca Canyon, known as "one of the deepest canyons in the world." We'll also have the privilege of seeing one of the largest birds on the planet, the Andean condor, and admiring the majestic flight of this enigmatic bird at the Cruz del Cóndor Viewpoint.
We'll also enjoy direct contact with nature. A specialist guide will accompany us and tell us the history of the cultures that inhabited this area. We'll enjoy a relaxing soak in the Chacapi hot springs and savor a delicious lunch of Andean dishes made with local produce.
Between 02:45 and 03:15 a.m., we'll pick you up from your hotel in downtown Arequipa, and at 03:15 a.m. we'll set off for Chivay, the main point of interest in the entire Colca Valley. After a 3-hour drive, we'll reach the town of Chivay, where we'll enjoy a delicious breakfast.
After breakfast, we'll head to the Cruz del Cóndor Viewpoint, 1 hour away. It's the observation point for Colca Canyon and the spectacular flight of the condor. We'll spend an average of 45 minutes here taking in the beauty of the canyon.
On the way back, we'll stop at the area's viewpoints, where we'll see the valley's impressive terraces, and in the town of Maca, where we'll see its church and, optionally, taste local drinks such as the Colca Sour, made with local products.
Before lunch, we'll enjoy a relaxing soak in the Yanque hot springs (optional entrance), whose thermal-medicinal waters range between 35 °C and 38 °C in the pools. At 12:30 p.m., we'll have lunch in Chivay.
We'll then start the journey back to Arequipa and, along the way, stop at the Volcanoes Viewpoint, the highest point of the route (4910 m a.s.l.), where we'll take in much of the western mountain range. We'll also make a short stop at the Toccra wetlands, where we'll see large numbers of alpacas grazing freely. Skirting Chachani peak toward Pampa Cañahuas, we'll pass through the home of the vicuñas, which roam free in this area.
At 05:30 p.m., we'll arrive in the city of Arequipa and drop you off very close to the Plaza de Armas.
Condor sightings can't be guaranteed, but you're very likely to see them almost all year round, except in the rainy season, when some condors migrate elsewhere in search of better weather.
The Colca Valley is 151 km from Arequipa. After about 3 hours of travel, you reach Chivay, the main town, where you'll find the main services: accommodation, restaurants, nightlife and more.
You can visit Colca all year round, but the best season is between April and May, when the rainy season ends and the valley's terraces and landscapes are at their greenest.
Yes. There are usually tourist transport companies with daily departures from Chivay to Puno, generally after lunch. We can also help you buy the tickets.
Chivay, the main town, is at 3635 m a.s.l. On the way from Arequipa, you pass through Patapampa, the Volcanoes Viewpoint, at 4910 m a.s.l., the highest point of the route.
You buy it at the entry checkpoint before Chivay or at the checkpoint halfway to the Cruz del Cóndor, cash only. It costs S/ 70 (foreigners), S/ 40 (Latin Americans), S/ 20 (Peruvians) and S/ 5 (Peruvian students).
The tourist ticket (boleto turístico) lets you visit different attractions in the Colca Valley, such as archaeological sites, viewpoints and trekking circuits. It doesn't include museum visits or entrance to the hot springs in towns such as Chivay, Yanque and Coporaque.
It can be purchased at 2 points: at the tourist entry checkpoint before reaching Chivay, and at another checkpoint halfway to the Cruz del Cóndor Viewpoint. Payment is cash only; credit cards aren't accepted.
After your visit to Colca, you can travel directly to Puno: there are usually tourist transport companies with daily departures from Chivay to Puno, generally after lunch. We can also help you buy bus tickets from Chivay to Puno.
