3 Days
Challenging
From $330
3 DAYS EXCRUSION FROM AREQUIPA TO LAGUNA DE SALINAS COLCA CANYON AND PUNO
Arequipa Classic Tours

3 DAYS EXCRUSION FROM AREQUIPA TO LAGUNA DE SALINAS COLCA CANYON AND PUNO

Explore Salinas Salt Flats Colca Canyon Wonders And Puno

Explore Salinas Salt Flats Colca Canyon Wonders And 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 – SALT FLATS OF SALINAS - RESERVA MACIONAL DE AGUADA BLANCA Y DE SALINAS – PURUÑA ROCK FOREST - SUMBAY CAVE PAINTINGS – 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 of this day trip:

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.

RUPESTRIAN PAINTINGS OF SUMBAY CAVE: The next stop will be to visit a small rocky canyon as known as Sumbay - There we walk for about 10 minutes to get bottom and find the caves where are the rupestrian arts dating 14.000 year ago thanks to the first human living as hunters and gatherer.

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 volcano 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 cost around $5 USD or 15 soles per person (excluded).

Around 6:30PM return to Chivay for check in the select hotel and then transfer to selected restaurant to have your diner accompanied with life Andean music show (Excluded).

Return to the hotel and hasta mañana.

DAY 2: CHIVAY TOWN - COLCA CANYON – MIRADOR CRUZ DEL CONDOR – GEYSER OF PINCHOLLO – HIKING ALONG THE CANYON

At 6AM will be breakfast in your hotel included as courtesy and then 2 hours 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.

Around 10AM begin of 1hr hike along the canyon expecting to see more flights of the Condors and getting different panoramic angle of the canyon.

Then 30 minutes of car transfer on a gravel road up to 4400M of altitude, where is located the Geiser of Pinchollo – Explore this amazing and unusual geological phenomena as known as “Geysers”. The incredible natural fountains that shoot and steam boiling water to the air in violent eruptions. From the geysers ALTERNATIVE 9KM of downhill hiking through the mountains to the village of Pinchollo (3620M).

Today we will return to same hotel in Chivay (around 3PM), for late lunch (excluded) and free afternoon for personal activities.

Dinner will be arranged by yourself.

DAY 3: CHIVAY – IMATA ROCK FOREST – MIRADOR DE LAGUNILLAS – SILLUSTANI FUNERAL TOWERS - PUNO

Today you will be picking up from hotel at 8AM and private transport on good road condition to the highest point (Patapampa 4910M) 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 on the way to Puno we will arrive to Imata Rock forest, short hike through natural rock formation finding estranges zoomorphic and anthropomorphic figures, makes very interesting the vast rock forest.

Another hour more driving we arrive to Mirador de Lagunillas, this is a nice point to watch impressive landscape surrounding a lagoon where the locals practice trout farming, and a perfect scenery to stretch our legs and have some snacks and drinks as lunch (excluded) offered by locals.

The last section for driving will be on the Altiplano of Puno (high plateau), passing picturesque landscapes, with local people developing their agriculture activities. Finally we will arrive to the last place to visit today (3PM), this is known as “Chullpas de Sillustani”, It is one the most important necropolis in the world. It stands at 4000M of altitude. There will visit the famous Chullpas of Sillustani, cylinder burial towers built of stone, (12m/40ft tall) where the Aymaras buried their important leaders, this archaeological sites surrounded by nice lake Umayo,

Then 30 minutes more driving arrive to hotel in Puno and end of service.

Pricing

Group Service

1+ participants
$330 USD

Private Service

2 people
$1120 USD ($560 USD/person)
3 people
$1260 USD ($420 USD/person)
4 people
$1440 USD ($360 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.
  • 3 days of private transportation from Arequipa to Puno.
  • 2 nights of accommodation in Chivay or Yanque - The room includes private bath, hot shower, wi-fi, heat, amenities and next day breakfast as courtesy.
  • Tourist ticket of 70 soles or $20 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.
  • 4hrs hours hiking in the Colca canyon (Second Day).
  • First aid kit for all participants and our cam staff.
  • Food and accommodation for our camp staff.
  • Drop-off at customer hotel in Puno downtown.

Not Included

  • Travel and accident insurance.
  • Hotel in Arequipa.
  • Soft and alcoholic drinks - Drunk people are prohibit to join the tour and no money refund.
  • Breakfast on the first day.
  • lunches and dinners.
  • Tips for guide and camp staff.
  • Horseback riding tours.
  • Fishing gear.
  • Entrance to the hot spring in Chivay $6 USD per person will be paid directly.

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

Recommendations

IMPORTANT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK THIS TRIP

  • This tour can begin from airport of bus station in Arequipa but not later than 8AM.

  • 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 San Juan de Tarucani and Huayllacucho.

  • 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 ONLY BETWEEN APRIL TO DECEMBER - During raining season is not available because the level of the water in some rivers is to high and is not possible to cross with our vehicles.

TRIP TO LAGUNA DE SALINAS AND COLCA CANYON DATE | TOUR | TOUR COST Any day between April and December | 3 DAYS EXCRUSION FROM AREQUIPA TO LAGUNA DE SALINAS COLCA CANYON AND PUNO Visit Salinas Salt Flats And The Wonders Of Colca Canyon | Group Service (Join a group/van) No Applicable Private Service (Private van & guide) 2 participants $1120 USD 3 participants $1260 USD 4 participants $1440 USD 5 to more participants $330 USD each

Organized Groups: We offer private and any time departure. Group size: 6 participants per guide - We need minimum 2 participants to develop this tour BOOK HERE: We highly recommended to book space prior you arrive to Peru and take Private Service

You Might Also Like

PRIVATE 2 DAY TRIP TO COLCA CANYON AND TRANSFER TO PUNO arequipa

PRIVATE 2 DAY TRIP TO COLCA CANYON AND TRANSFER TO PUNO

2 Days easy

Guided Tour From Arequipa To Colca Valley And Ending In Puno

View Details
2DAY TRIP TO LAGUNA DE SALINAS AND COLCA CANYON arequipa

2DAY TRIP TO LAGUNA DE SALINAS AND COLCA CANYON

2 Days challenging

Visit Salinas Salt Flats And The Wonders Of Colca Canyon

View Details
2 DAYS FLEETING TRIP TO COLCA CANYON AND ANDAGUA arequipa

2 DAYS FLEETING TRIP TO COLCA CANYON AND ANDAGUA

2 Days challenging

Discover The Deepest Of The Canyon And The Geopark Of Valley Of Volcanoes

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