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

Classical Guided Van Trip 2 Days - 1 Night

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 4500-5000m), 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.

Daily ttrips to Colca canyon by www.peruadventurestours.com

ITINERARY FOR BIKING AND TREKKING IN THE COLCA CANYON

Day by Day Itinerary

DAY 1: AREQUIPA - PAMPAS CAÑAHUAS - CHIVAY - COLCA CANYON

At 7AM we pick-up from your hotel and 4 hours by our own 4WD, this travel is between the Misti and Chachani volcanoes up to 4850M where will see Llamas, Alpacas, Andean birds also will appreciate the Vicuñas, this animals living are protected by the national reserve of Aguada Blanca and Salinas. We'd have a nice blue sky while doing our downhill MT. bike trip, beginning at the highest pass on this trip, named Patapampa (4850M) from here is possible to observe the volcanoes chain and mountain range in the South of Peru, to rice our bicycles on a nice asphalt or taking single track on the ancestral Inca trail, descending 1200M to Chivay town (3600M). In Chivay we will have lunch and at 1PM (excluded). continue biking on dirt road on the left bank of the Colca river, crossing between old pre Inca terraces and small villages and visiting colony churches. OPTIONAL visit the thermal pools ($5 US dollars each for entrance). Finally, we will arrive at Yanque village (3350M); after 4-5 hours we will stop biking and spend the night in a nice accommodation with hot shower and private bath.

Adventure biking trips in the Colca canyon.

DAY 2: COLCA CANYON - CRUZ DEL CONDOR LOOKOUT - CABANACONDE - SORO VALLEY - LLAHUAR HOT SPRING

At 6AM after packing everything, we will have an energetic breakfast and continue traveling 2 hours and 40 minutes on our own private vehicle, continue on the left bank we will arrive at 8AM to the popular Condor Cross, and stop for about 2 hours to be able to see the condor’s flights, getting pictures of the small villages in the deepest part of the deepest second canyon in the world. At 1am we will bike down till Cabanaconde (3280M) this short trip biking takes one hour and half. In Cabanaconde we will have lunch and short recognition of this Andean town surrounded by green terraces dated from Inca time. At 1PM continue downhill biking on serpentine dirt abandoned road, this downhill offer spectacular view of the both side of the deepest part of the Colca canyon. After 2 hours we finish downhill at valley of Soro (1950M) across the suspension bride you will be on the right bank of the river. Trekking along the river through cactus forest till Llahuar lodge where will find nice hot spring next of the river. After enjoy the thermal bath will have delicious dinner accompanied by deed starry sky. Stay in charm bamboo cabins (B - L - D).

Downhill MT Bike Trip In The Colca Canyon by www.peruadventurestours.com

DAY 3: LLAHUAR HOT SPRING - PACLLIA - SANGALLE (As known as Oasis)

Today we will wake up at 6AM and then enjoy a delicious country breakfast witch the best sun rising over the Colca and Llatica River. At 7AM we will begin our trekking across the Llatica River and uphill through mountainous landscape and following single track between the cactus forest and vibrant wildlife. After 5 hours trekking, we will arrive to Oasis (as known as Sangalle), where are nice swim pool (cold water) next to the bamboo cabins. Lunch in the middle of nature and peaceful valley located between two huge walls combined with different colorful landslide. At 4PM trekking uphill on the left bank, this climb will take 3 hours by thousands of steps along the way. This climb will be the hardest and strenuous trek on this trip. Finally, you will get the top of the climb and you feel how dig and deep is the Cabanas world. We walk to Cabanaconde to have hot shower, delicious dinner and stay in a comfortable room (B - L - D).

Trip to visit the Colca valley by PAT.

DAY 4: CABANACONDE - HUAMBO – SABANCAYO AND AMPATO VIEWPOINT - EL PEDREGAL - AREQUIPA

Today at 7AM will be the breakfast offered by the hotel, car transfer for about 1hr to the highest pass (4100M) between Cabanaconde and Huambo town. Great view of the deepest section of the Colca canyon and then begin the first downhill on switchback asphalt road to Huambo town (3000M). This part of the canyon offers quiet sceneries, decorated with cactus forest of this dry area of Colca canyon. This first downhill and little cross-country biking will be for about 1hr until the town, and then we will aboard our transportation up to the second highest pass between Huambo and Qerqe volcanoes valley. On the way up we will stop at the natural viewpoint, which is the closer and perfect to see very clearly the active Sabancaya volcano and Ampato Mt. Another spectacle will be to drive between two small volcanoes in the section of Qerqe plain. From here is possible to ride our MT bike all the way down from the highlands to the coast. The last downhill on gravel road will be for about 55KM and from 4300M of altitude down to the desert of El Pedregral (1900M), this arid zone is considered the last north area of Desierto de Atacama. This challenge mountain bike includes to descend 2350M in about 3hrs, from the high mountains though small canyons, arid valleys and finally to the vast desert landscape until the El Pedregal (B - L).

Wildlife adventure in the Colca canyon by www.peruadventurestours.com

Pricing

Group Service - Organized Services only.

More than 6 Particpants.
Price under request only.

Private Service

1 Participant.
$1950 USD.
2 Participants.
$2350 USD. ($1175 USD/person)
3 Participants.
$2650 USD. ($883 USD/person)
4 Participants
$2900 USD. ($725 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

  • Drop-off at your hotel in Arequipa
  • English-Speaking guide for whole adventure.
  • Private supporting vehicle for whole adventure
  • 1 night in small hotel in Chivay (3600M).
  • 2 nights of small accommodation inside the Colca canyon (Llahuar & Sangalle).)
  • Trekking around the Colca canyon
  • Meals; 3 lunches + 3 dinners + 3 breakfasts.
  • Entrance to ticket to visit the Colca valley/canyon.
  • Medical bottle of oxygen and first aid kit for all participants.
  • Food and accommodation for our camp staff.
  • Hardtail Mountain Bike (Aluminum frame, front suspension, 29' wheels, hydraulic brakes system, 18 - 22 speeds).
  • Mountain biking gear (Helmet & gloves).
  • Elbow and Knee pads available under request.
  • Repair Kit and new parts.
  • Pick-up from hotel in Arequipa.

Not Included

  • Travel and accident insurance outside the car.
  • Soft and alcoholic drinks.
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the first day (Chivay).
  • Entrance to the hot spring in Chivay 15 soles per person will be paid directly ($6 USD) - The admission cost don't includes towel but other facilities as shower and toilets are available
  • Drinking water and snacks during the biking and trekking adventure.

How to Reserve

Contact us to book this tour or ask any questions:

What to Bring

Small backpack 40lt
Rain jacket or poncho (December to april)
Strong comfortable and waterproof footwear
One complete change of clothing.
Sweater and jacket (something warm) for every morning and evening.
Drinking water and selection of snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits, etc
Hat, sunblock, and sunglass to protect you from intense sun.
Insect repellent.
Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries.
Swimsuit for the hot spring.
Optional walking poles.
Personal MT Biking gear.

Schedule

Every Day.