Colca Canyon Trek 2 Days

General Information

Explore the canyon over 2 exciting days Bilingual guides from an 18 year old company who have an excellent reputation Spend the night in 2 rustic lodges located deep within the heart of the canyon Trek through one of the deepest canyons in the world, the Colca Canyon. The 2 day/1 night trek is a moderate/hard hike. The first day of trekking is approximately for 5 or 6 hours (1 hour uphill, 1 hour flat walk, and 4 hours downhill). The second day is approximately 3 or 4 hours of uphill walking.

Note: Official Colca Canyon entrance tax of 70 soles is not included in the ticket price. This must be paid on the tour. For those that wish to finish in Puno: On return to Chivay at 1pm, there will just be 15 minutes for lunch before departing to Puno. Arrival time in Puno is 7pm, and the drop off point is at Puno Plaza de Armas. Rainy season lasts from December to March. We recommend you bring rain clothes (rain poncho) and a spare change of clothes. (these are available to rent or buy in Arequipa).

Price

$ 115

Itinerary

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Day 1: AREQUIPA –CRUZ DEL CONDOR – SAN JUAN DE CHUCCHO - OASIS

Pick up from the hotel between 3:00 am and 3:30 am and we will go to the town of Chivay, which is about 4 hours drive from Arequipa. On the way, we will stop at the town of Yanque where we have breakfast (06:30 am approx). Then we will travel for 1 hour to La Cruz del Cóndor, which is the best place to see the Canyon and the famous Andean condor birds, we will have 40 minutes to see the flight of the condors, and the depth of the canyon. Approximately at 9:30 am we will arrive at the Mirador de Pampa San Miguel, and immediately we will begin the trek in descent to the canyon (3 hours) going from 3,300 meters to 2,100 meters into the canyon. Around 12:30 pm we will arrive at the first suspension bridge, we will have a rest and then we will continue our walk for 30 minutes more. We will arrive at San Juan de Chuccho community for lunch. After lunch, we will continue the march, this time, to visit the villages of Malata and Cosñirhua. Approximately at 5pm, we will arrive at the Oasis Sangalle, a peaceful and charming place at an altitude of approximately 1,900 meters, where we will enjoy its swimming pool, surrounded by greenery. Rest in adobe bungalow typical of the area.

Day 2: OASIS SANGALLE – CABANACONDE – CHIVAY - AREQUIPA

At 05:00 am we begin the ascent hike for 03 HRS. (It is recommended to bring snacks since breakfast is after the trek and also bring a flashlight). This part of the trek can provide spectacular views, as you’ll be trekking during the sunrise. We will arrive at 8:30 am to the town of Cabanaconde where breakfast and the visit of the town takes place. In this town we will take the return bus, towards the city of Chivay, we will stop at a viewpoint to see the pre-Inca andenería of the valley. At 11 am is the arrival to the town of Yanque, we will have time to visit the thermo-medicinal baths (approx. 1 hour) with water temperatures of 38°C (optional). After lunch in Chivay we will return to the city of Arequipa making stops at the Mirador de Los Volcanes (4910 masl), and Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve (to observe the South American camelids, llama, alpaca, vicuña and guanaco). This is where you can get a selfie with an alpaca, or even a vicuña if you are lucky. At the end of the afternoon, you’ll arrive in Arequipa between 7:30 pm and 9:00 pm, and we will drop you off at Calle Santa Catalina, next to Santa Catalina Monastery.

Exclusive Services

Include

Tourist Mobility
Professional bilingual guide
1 night in a hotel of your choice
Breakfast
Folkloric Show

Not Included

Entrance to the Thermal Baths of La Calera S/. 15.00
Tourist Ticket Colca S/. 70.00
02 Lunches + 01 Dinner in Chivay
Others not specified in the program
Personal expenses
Tips

What to bring

Light backpack
1.5 to 2 litres of water for Day 1 (if you need more, you can buy it at the small shops in the villages)
Sun cream (very important)
Hat
Sunglasses
Trekking shoes or boots
Warm layers, sweater or jacket (IMPORTANT – temperatures can reach lows of -10°C)
Shorts or pants for walking
Swimming suit
Sandals
Towel
Flashlight/headtorch (early trek starts at 5am before sunrise – it will be dark!)
Toilet paper
Snacks (breakfast on the last day is given only AFTER the early morning hike out of the canyon)
Insect repellent
Personal medication
Hiking sticks (optional)
Money for drinks

Photo Gallery

FAQS

1.- What clothes to wear to the Colca?

Bring light clothing in the daytime, but wear a jacket or jacket at night as it increases the cold, if your visit is scheduled for the months of December to March, it is advisable to bring thermal and rainwear during the rainy season, sports shoes, a good sunscreen, and hat

2.- What is the approximate time of the trip to the Colca?

Travel time from Arequipa to Chivay takes approximately 3 hours by bus.

3.- At what distance is the Colca?

It is a distance of 151 km from the city of Arequipa, to the town of Chivay

4.- What is the best season to visit the Colca?

The best season to visit the Colca are the months of April and May. Why? These are the months when the rains are no longer so persistent and are the months when the greenery of the landscapes becomes more attractive. You can visit during the rest of the year taking the weather recommendations in the area

5.- Will I see Condors on this tour?

There are quite a few Condors out there, and as we visit different viewing points the chances are quite good. We still cannot guarantee that you will be able to see them, but if you get lucky they will fly just above your head!

6.- Do I need to bring trekking shoes?

Not necessarily, but as you will spend several hours hiking up and down through the canyon, we recommend to at least wear stable and comfortable shoes.

7.- Do I need any camping equipment?

You do not need any specialist equipment with you to be able to tackle the Colca. A tent is not required. Accommodation is in small rustic huts, located in the ¨Oasis¨ at the bottom of the Canyon. It can get cold at night and very warm during the day, so you need to pack for all weather conditions, and have comfortable footwear (trekking shoes or good trainers are sufficient). Some guides also recommend bringing a flashlight and some snacks.

8.- Can I finish in Puno instead of Arequipa?

Yes, this is possible. On return to Chivay at 1pm, there will just be 15 minutes for lunch before departing to Puno. Arrival time in Puno is 7pm, and the drop off point is at Puno, Plaza de Armas. For this option, you MUST add the extra TRANSFER FROM THE CANYON TO PUNO – when making a booking.

9.- Is there oxygen provided on this trek?

No, there is no oxygen provided during the trek. There is however an emergency oxygen tank in our private transportation.

10.- During the trek, how many people are there per group?

Groups are between 10 to 12 people per 1 bilingual guide.

11.- Can I rent trekking poles with the operator?

Yes, you can rent a pair of trekking poles, and the price is 20 soles per set per day (S/.10 soles each). You need to inform us 24 hours before your tour date.

12.- Can I rent mules?

Yes, it costs 80 soles per day, or 60 soles during the uphill section on the last day from Sangalle to Cabanaconde.

13.- How many kilometres per day do I need to walk during the trek?

You will trek 21 Km. The first day you will walk 14 km and the second day 7km. We recommend that to participate you should be an active person, and practice some sports or walking/hiking.

14.- Do I need to bring drinking water for my treks?

There is no water included, so you will need to bring water for the first day of your trek. In the canyon there are a few shops and stalls in the accommodation providers where you can buy water. Given the isolated location, it is more expensive than Arequipa or Puno (it costs approx. 10 or 15 soles for a 2.5 litre water bottle).

15.- Can I start the tour in Chivay?

Yes, you can! There is no problem if your hotel is in Chivay. However, if your hotel is on the outskirts of the town of Chivay, there will be an extra charge. You will need to send us an e-mail at the time of your booking in order to inform the tour operator.

16.- Does this tour operator cater for special dietary requirements such as vegetarian and vegan?

Yes, you must let your guide know of your dietary requirements on the first day of your trek. It is important to note that the concepts of veganism and vegetarianism are quite new in Peru, and so alternative options will be extremely limited (rice, salad, vegetables). We suggest taking some snacks.

17.- Can I have a private room if I travel alone or as a couple?

Yes, of course, but you will need to pay an extra 40 soles. You need to inform us 24 hours before your tour date

18.- Is there an accommodation upgrade available, instead of a basic hotel?

No, this Colca Canyon provider does not offer alternative accommodation. If you wish to stay in a different hotel or lodge in the Canyon, it is recommended you book a private tour of the Canyon.* No, this Colca Canyon provider does not offer alternative accommodation. If you wish to stay in a different hotel or lodge in the Canyon, it is recommended you book a private tour of the Canyon.

19.- I do not want to take all of my belongings with me to the Canyon. Where can I leave my big bag or suitcase?

Hotels and hostels in Arequipa will all store your bags in their safety deposit for free whilst you are away at the Canyon, until you check in again upon your return. Head off to the trip with just what you need and leave the rest in storage. If you continue after your trek from Chivay to Puno, on the first day of your trek you will have breakfast in a restaurant in Chivay. This restaurant has a storage facility, where passengers who are trekking can leave their backpacks for a small fee, and pick them up on return.