Is this trip for me?

Fitness LevelSuitable for everyone.
Max Altitude4910M.
Best SeasonApril - Dec.

Visit Salinas Salt Flats And The Wonders Of Colca Canyon

The Colca Canyon is located on the southern Peru in the Andes mountain range exist the second deepest canyon in the world, It is more than twice as deep as the Apurimac Canyon (Peru) and the Grand Canyon in the United States, the canyon's walls are not as vertical as those of the Grand Canyon. The Colca River birth in the Andes between Condoroma and Crucero Alto (above 4500M-5000M), drops the water down to Pacific Ocean, this river have 4 names as Colca River, Andamayo River, Majes River and finally Camana River. The Colca Canyon register hard rain during December to April and the rest of the year is dry, sunny and cold weather.

The deepest part of the Colca Canyon is register between Ampato Mountain (6310M) and Coropuna snow-capped (6377M), on the left bank of the canyon exist a small town named Huambo and straight down of this town is located Cancco Valley (1720M) which is the greatest deep point that reaches a depth of 4590 meters.

The name Colca refers to small holes in the cliffs in the valley and canyon. These holes were used in Inca and pre-Inca times to store food, such as potatoes and other Andean crops. They were also used as tombs for important people.

The geography of the Colca Canyon are habitable, and Inca and pre-Inca terraces are still cultivated along the less precipitous canyon walls; they build stepped terraces to cultivate the ancestral potatoes, maize and other products of this region. The Colca Valley is a wonderful and colorful Andean valley with many small and remotes towns on the both side of the Canyon founded by Spanish conquers. The Spanish introduce and change many ancestral traditions as the religion. The Colca Valley keeps many colonial richest churches in all Arequipa regions.

The canyon is home of the Andean Condor (Vultur Gryphus), they are can be seen at fairly close range as they fly through the precipices. The Condor is the main tourist attraction and can be seen at "Cruz Del Condor", is a popular tourist stop, the pass where the Condors soar gracefully on the rising thermals occurring as the air warms.

The Colca Canyon is the main tourist attraction in Arequipa, the Colca Valley can be visit directly from Arequipa, from Cuscoby 4WD or from Puno (Lake Titicaca) by private van. The Colca Canyon geography offer great terrain to practice outdoor activities such as Trekking Tours, Climbing Tours, Horse Tours, Mountain Bike, River Rafting, Camping, Bird Watching combining with relaxing visit to the numerous thermal baths and staying in charm and comfortable hotels along the Colca Canyon.

PERU ADVENTURE TOURS organize daily visit to the Colca Canyon, with experience driver and official accredited tour guides and including good food, entrance to the park and the best hotels to stay in the second deepest canyon in the world.

Trip to visit the lagoon of Salinas and watch the Andean flamingos.

Day by Day Itinerary

DAY 1: AREQUIPA – SALT FLATS OF SALINAS - RESERVA NACIONAL DE AGUADA BLANCA Y DE SALINAS – PURUÑA ROCK FOREST - MIRADOR DE LOS VOLCANES - CHIVAY

Today the trip starts at 6AM from the accommodation of costumer located in Arequipa downtown - In case someone like to be picked up from bus station or from airport of Arequipa need to confirm this at booking time with additional transfer cost (under request only) - Find below the highlights to visit between Arequipa and Colca canyon:

LAGUNA DE SALINAS: Around 8:30AM we will arrive to Laguna de Salinas (4300M) - This is a paradise for Flamingos (James, Chilean and Andean) and all bird-watch lovers are welcome on this trip to enjoy this amazing and natural spectacle – The lagoon is full of waters from January till June/July and then normally is dry with not possibilities to watch Andean birds as Flamingos and others – The trip includes 1 hours of lovely walking (flat) next of the lagoon on the way to town of Salinas Huito.

ANDEAN WILDLIFE: Continue driving the 4WD on a dusty road we stop in different places to see very close the wild Vicuñas and other camelids as Llamas and Alpacas (domesticated) grazing next of the lagoon or wetlands - Thanks to the road we pass through remote Andean villages of San Juan De Tarucani and Hayllacucho, where there are Andean people still living in pure contact with nature as their ancestors.

PURUÑA ROCK FOREST: Around 11AM our 4WD is going to take us to undiscovered rock formation located in middle of Reserva Nacional De Aguada Blanca Y Salinas - The curious forms of stone forest is due to wind erosion and heavy rains on this part of the Altiplano - Here we walk for 40 minute to explore the strange figures on a volcanic terrain that contrasts with its surroundings.

LUNCH TIME (Excluded): The place for lunch will be inside the National Reserve, at the sector of Patwasi with great views of surrounding volcanoes. Vegetarian food and Andean infusions are available - Lunch is not included.

PATAPAMPA (4910M) "MIRADOR DE LOS ANDES": A short stop on this place for nice pictures of Ampato (6288M) and Walka Walka (6025M) Mountain and one of the most active volcanoes in the south of Peru as known as Sabancaya (5976M) - From this point will be downhill drive into the Valle Del Colca/Chivay (3600M).

LA CALERA HOT SPRING (45°C): Around 5PM transfer to the hot spring of "La Calera" to enjoy the thermal pools for about one hour - The admission to the thermal pools costs around $5 USD or 15 soles per person (excluded).

Around 6:30PM return to Chivay or Yanque for check at the select hotel and free evening for walking around looking for a restaurant to have dinner (excluded), some places offer diner with life Andean music show. We advise to go sleep early because next day everyone needs to wake early. Hasta mañana.

Tour to see the roack forest of Puruña, by PERU ADVENTURE TOURS.

DAY 2: CHIVAY TOWN - COLCA CANYON - CONDOR CROSS VIEWPOINT – AREQUIPA

At 6AM will be breakfast in your hotel included as courtesy and then 1h30m of transfer in our transport to “El Mirador Cruz Del Condor” - This journey includes nice drive on the left bank of Colca River passing small towns with colonial churches and spectacular highlights as snow-capped, hanging tombs, cactus forest, and lot flora and fauna along Colca valley – Also we stop in some lookout to see lot agriculture terracing on the both side of Colca valley – Around 8AM start a short and alternative trekking along the canyon (Private Service only) to arrive to the Condor cross viewpoint to watch the fly of the biggest bird in the world – Luckily you can see the Condors very close like 10 meters away from you or sometimes they are seating on huge rocks next of cliffs facing the deep of the canyon – Free time to enjoy spectacular view of the canyon, get some relax OR 45 MINUTES OF NICE TREK ALONG THE CANYON LOOKING FOR MORE CONDORS (Recommended).

At 10AM we drive back to Chivay but along the way we stop getting nice views of the river and Colca valley, other colonial churches, small handicraft markets, and seeing local's people working the ancient's pre-Incan terraces.

Around 12:30PM arrive to Chivay to have lunch (Does Not Include) and then 30 minutes of free time for personal activities as visit the local Andean market or walk around.

Around 1:30PM meeting at Plaza de Central of Chivay (main square) and then 4 hours of journey to Arequipa. This transfer includes few stops to use toilet.

Around 5PM the service ends at your hotel of Arequipa.

Every day trip to discove the Colca canyon, one of the deepest canyon in the world.

Pricing

Organized Groups.

More 7 people.
Price under request only.

Private Service

1 Participant.
$820 USD.
2 Participants.
$990 USD. ($495 USD/person)
3 Participants.
1150 USD. ($383 USD/person)
4 Participants.
$1300 USD. ($325 USD/person)
5 Participants.
$1420 USD. ($284 USD/person)
6 Participants.
$1520 USD. ($253 USD/person)

Group Service prices are per person. Private Service shows total group price — per-person rate is indicated. Contact us for group discounts and custom itineraries.

What's Included & Not Included

Included

  • Pick-up from customer hotel in Arequipa.
  • English-speaking tour guide.
  • 2 days of private transportation Arequipa/Colca canyon/Arequipa.
  • 1 hr hiking at the laguna de Salinas to see Andean wildlife (Vicuñas, Flamingos, etc).
  • 45min of hiking through the rock forest of Puruña, located inside the national reserve.
  • 1 night of accommodation in Chivay or Yanque - The room includes private bath, hot shower, wi-fi, amenities and next day breakfast as courtesy.
  • Tourist ticket of 70 soles or $25 US Dollars per person (Obligatory). This is the unique entrance to the Colca national park even if you don't stop at "Mirador Cruz Del Condor".
  • 2 hours of hiking along the Colca canyon (Second Day).
  • Medicinal bottle of oxygen and aid kit is avaialble for all participants.
  • Food and accommodation for our camp staff.
  • Drop-off at customer hotel in Arequipa.

Not Included

  • Travel and accident insurance outside the car.
  • Hotel in Arequipa and Puno.
  • Soft and alcoholic drinks , drunk people are prohibit to join the tour and no money refund.
  • Meals; first day breakfast, lunches and dinner.
  • Entrance to the hot spring in Chivay $6 USD per person will be paid directly.
  • Ground transfer from Chivay to Puno or Cusco.
  • Other no mentioned tours or additional visits.
  • Tipping and gratuities for guide and camp staff.

How to Reserve

Contact us to book this tour or ask any questions:

What to Bring

Rain jacket or poncho (December to April).
Strong comfortable shoes to short hike.
One complete change of clothing.
Sweater and jacket (something warm).
Drinking water and snack
Hat, sunblock and sunglass to protect you from intense sun.
Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries.
Swimsuit for the hot spring.
Optional walking sticks or poles.

Recommendations

IMPORTANT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK THIS TRIP

  • This tour can begin from airport of bus station in Arequipa but not later than 9AM.

  • The first day journey from Arequipa to Lagunas de Salinas and to rock forest of Puruña will be mostly on gravel dirt road (very bumpy) and awarded with unique view of the lagoon, flamingos (Juanuary to June), volcanoes as Pichu Picchu, Misti, Ubinas and Chachani, nice Andean valleys of Arequipa region.

  • The first day of the trip will be "Off The Beaten Path" and we recommend to be ready to discover remote villages/places inside the national reserve.

  • If you decide to book your own hotel in the Colca valley tell us at booking time to give you the cost of the trip without accommodation.

  • THIS TRIP IS AVAILABLE ALL AROUND THE YEAR - During raining season is also available but we suggest t start as early as possible to get better weather before midday.

  • Organized Groups: For a group over 6 participants, the trip can be oranized at any day/time departure. We highly recommended to book space prior you arrive to Peru and take Private Service.

Schedule

Every Day.