2 Days
Easy
PRIVATE 2 DAY TRIP TO COLCA CANYON AND TRANSFER TO PUNO
Arequipa Puno & Lake Titicaca Classic Tours

PRIVATE 2 DAY TRIP TO COLCA CANYON AND TRANSFER TO PUNO

Guided Tour From Arequipa To Colca Valley And Ending In Puno

Guided Tour From Arequipa To Colca Valley And Ending In Puno

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.

Day by Day Itinerary

DAY 1: AREQUIPA - PATAPAMPA ANDEAN LOOKOUT 4850M - CHIVAY - HOT SPRING

Early morning or late morning we can meet in your hotel, bus stop or from airport of Arequipa and then start the trip with private transport to the second deepest canyon in the world, driving on the left side of Chachani mountain (6070M), continue going up to 4200M, where is located the Natural Reserve of Salinas and Aguada Blanca, this is the nature habitat for the Vicuñas (Vicugna), one of South American camelid running on this high plateaus on the back side of ChachanI snow-capped and Misti Volcano - The Vicuñas are protected and wild animals living above 3800M and next to them will be easy to appreciate big groups of Llamas and Alpacas grazing next of the main road, small lagoons (Bofedales), remote rock forest, amazing highlands views and then we reach the highest point of this trip named Pata Pampa 4850M as known as "Mirador de los Andes", nice view of snow-peaks and volcanoes as volcan Ampato where the ice maiden "Juanita" was founded in 1995 near of the summit - Will stop every place to get short break getting pictures from all each place you like.

At 1PM we will arrive in Chivay town (3600M) there you can get lunch (Excluded) - Then you will transferred to selected hotel to leave your personal things/items and then transfer to La Calera thermal pools (45°C) and enjoy the outdoor or indoor pools until 6PM (Hot spring admission 15 soles per person) or ALTERNATIVE 3 HOURS of trekking (free), horseback riding or mountain bike around - The alternative tours can be purchase directly in our local office of Arequipa one day before to depart on this trip.

Around 6:30PM return to your lodge to enjoy your diner (excluded) and rest.

DAY 2: CHIVAY - COLCA VALLEY - MIRADOR CRUZ DEL CONDOR - PUNO

At 6AM is the breakfast and travel 2 hours transfer in our transportation to the famous Condor Cross, at this place is possible to appreciate the fly of Condors or sometimes seating on the big rocks, two hours spending looking this amazing and biggest bird in the world, also there are many villages at the deep part of this spectacular Canyon.

At 10AM we drive back to Chivay, stop to get nice views of the river and Colca valley, colony churches (XVI century), handicraft markets, green villages on the both banks of the canyon and local people working the ancient's pre-Incas terraces and dedicated life solely to work the terraces, therefore you will see many fields full of crops as corn, amaranth, kiwicha, potatoes, and more native product of Peru.

Along the way we stop at different viewpoints to enjoy amazing scenery of Colca valley.

Driving along the canyon you will see the great Colca River and small communities located on both bank of the canyon.

At 11:30AM we arrive to Chivay to have lunch (Excluded) and then some free time to explore little big the town and the handicraft market.

At 1PM we aboard the private transport and drive uphill following the paved road to the highest point and continue driving toward the highland plain until a small lagoons to watch Andean birds as Caracara, Andean goose, Pink flamingos, ducks, ibis and etc.

After 3 hours of driving we arrive to another lockout as known as Mirador de Lagunillas, this is very nice point to watch impressive landscape surrounding the lake where the locals practice trout farming - The PRIVATE SERVICE also includes other stops to enjoy more scenery along the way making this transfer more flexible and arrive to costumer hotel in Puno around 6PM end of service.

What's Included & Not Included

Included

  • Pick-up from hotel in Arequipa.
  • English-Speaking tour guide.
  • Private transport from Arequipa to Colca canyon and Puno.
  • 1 night in the selected lodging.
  • 1 breakfast as cortesy of hotel.
  • 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", the entrance is valid to visit all the canyon but not valid for hot springs along the canyon.
  • 3 hours of hike on the upper zone of the canyon on the first day.
  • 2 hours of hike along the canyon on the second day.
  • Travel First aid kits and emergency oxygen tank.
  • Food and accommodation for our camp staff.
  • Drop-Off at hotel in Puno.

Not Included

  • Travel and accident insurance
  • Soft and alcoholic drinks
  • Breakfast on the first day
  • Lunches and diner in Chivay
  • Hotel in Arequipa and Puno
  • Tipping for guide and camp staff
  • Alternative afternoon tour as horseback riding or Mountain biking tour
  • Entrance to the hot spring in Chivay 15 soles per person will be paid directly ($5 USD) - The admission cost don't includes towel but other facilities as shower and toilets are available.

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)
Bottle of water
Flashlight and batteries
Hat or cap to protect you from the sun
Sun block (sun protection cream)
Insect repellent
Selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits, etc
Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries
Sunglasses
Swimsuit for the hot spring
Optional walking sticks or poles

You Might Also Like

AREQUIPA COLCA CANYON AND LAKE TITICACA PUNO GUIDED TOUR arequipa

AREQUIPA COLCA CANYON AND LAKE TITICACA PUNO GUIDED TOUR

6 Days challenging

Visit One Of Deepest Canyon And The Highest Navigable Lake In The World - 6 Days

View Details
PERU BIRDWATCHING TOUR - BIRDS OF PERU arequipa

PERU BIRDWATCHING TOUR - BIRDS OF PERU

challenging

BIRDWATCHING TOURS IN LIMA

View Details
PERU CLASSIC TOUR 14 DAYS - Group Departure arequipa

PERU CLASSIC TOUR 14 DAYS - Group Departure

14 Days challenging

PERU CLASSIC DESTINATIONS

View Details
Start Planning

Ready for Your
Peru Adventure?

Contact us today and let's craft your dream trip. Every itinerary is personally designed to match your interests, schedule and budget.

Request a Free Quote