TREKKING FROM ANDAGUA TO COLCA CANYON CABANACONDE

GROUP SERVICE: All participants has to be ready at 3PM in our office of Arequipa for the transfer to the bus station and journey for about 8 hours - The last 4 hours will be on a dirt road up to 4928M of altitude surrounding the highest mountain in Arequipa as known as Nevado Coropuna - We advice to bring your sleeping bag to protect you from cold weather (-10°C) and around 2AM we will arrive to the village of Andagua and then sleep in a small accommodation till 7AM (2nd day) - The regular public bus service is the cheapest option but not comfortable seats, the bus stops many times along the way to pick up passengers, for diner in Aplao or use toilet somewhere along the route.

PRIVATE SERVICE: At 7AM the tour guide and driver are going to pick you up from your hotel, from the airport or from the bus station of Arequipa and then 3 hours of travel by the Panamerican highway down to coast of Corire as known as Majes valley (608M), where we stop for about two hours to visit the Petroglyphs of Toro Muerto and nice short walk through lot volcanic rocks looking for ancients carved figures on the rock representing human figures, animals figures, very strange symbols made by the Chuquibamba's and Wari's ethnicities - The weather in this place willbe very hot but the place offer very impressive view of the desert and green rice valley irragated by Majes River - The next stop will be in Qerulpa village, in this place we walk uphill for about 20 minutes in a small forest till the top of the hill where we will find the prints/proof were where lived the tyrannosaurus rex 150 millions years ago - Time to enjoy super view of the landscape of entire valley and then return to the car.

Around midday we stop in a local restaurant of Aplao to have lunch (included) - We recommend to try the local food prepared with river shrimp in different presentation.

Around 1PM continue driving all the way up through remote landscape fully of pre-inca agriculture terraces as known as Tipan valley, Viraco and Machaguay village (3200M), from here is the begin of dirt road to the hights pass of Coropuna Mountain (4928M) and then downhill in a zigzagging road getting into andean valleys habitated for group of Andean camelids (Vicuñas, Llamas, Alpacas, etc) and friendly local people - Around 6PM we will arrive to Andagua village (3578M), check-in in a small accommodation (private bath and cold shower available), supper and rest (L - D).

After packing all our staff and breakfast began the real Andean trekking to Chachas valley. Hiking between small extinct volcanoes, crossing a nice countryside on the left rim of the Andagua River. After 6 hours of trekking into this remote and rarely visit this volcano valley we cross Chachas lagoon and camping out site of Chachas valley (3000M) (B - L - D).

After breakfast uphill trekking for about 7 hours to Miña Pampa (4200M) - On the half way up stop for lunch and time for resting with amazing views of the volcano valley (valle de los volcanes) witch 68 small craters, blue glass of Chachas lagoon and the large green valley surrounding by huge mountains - Around 4PM we get the camping zone in Miña Pampa (B - L - D).

Today we climb the highest pass on this trek, named paso Cerani (5100M), also is the most impressive and panoramic point, from here are magnificent views of the mountain in Andagua region and also we can appreciate the highest snow-capped on the both side of the Colca canyon. Cerani pass, is enter to Colca canyon or Colca valley. Short time for relax and after descend to Miña canyon. Nice trekking large land covering by Ichu grass, typical grass from the high Andes use for food of animals. After 7 - 8 hours arrival to Miña valley, located on the bottom of the same canyon and protected by mountains with difficult access. Set up the tents at backyard of the school (B - L - D).

This day is 8 hours of trekking along the Miña River, into this nice canyon, passing big cliffs of iron and cooper walls on the both side. On the way down is possible to see many wildlife animals, such as Andean eagle, Condor, Falcons, Deer, Vizcachas, many type of small birds. Chocco is nice and very welcoming inter Andean village (2570M) and produce fruits, including the Tuna (cactus fruit). Stop for lunch at this remote and friendly valley, after lunch hike down to the deepest point of the Colca canyon to discover the biggest walls of the second deepest canyon in the world. Spectacular completely view of the canyon and Colca River, inaccessible arid area contrasting with different colors. Also we can see the magnificent Condor flying over the top of the mountains. After 4 hours trekking on the left slope of the canyon arrival to Puente Colgado, where we will set up the tents for camping next of the Colca River, this is considerated the deepest section of the Colca canyon (B - L - D).

PRIVATE SERVICE: Today we wake up at 5AM to pack the tents and then we aboard the private transport and drive for 2 hours following a serpentine dirt road up to Cabanaconde (3280M) - Today the breakfast will be in a local restaurant at this lovely town surrounded by legendary terraces and protected by huge mountains like Ampato, Walca Walca Mount.

At 8:30AM transfer to Mirador Cruz Del Condor to see the magnificent flight of the Condors, considerate the biggest flying bird in the world - At the Mirador you will have enought time to enjoy and take pictures of the places - Then we will continue the trip on the left bank of the canyon stopping at most important villages and viewpoints accompanied witch the most conservative churches build on the conquest time by Spaniard - Around midday we stop in Chivay (3600M) where will be the last delicious buffet lunch. If the time permitting visits the hot spring of LA CALERA and then 4 hours transfer to your hotel in Arequipa and end of service (B - L).

GROUP SERVICE: At 7AM will be the breakfast and then pack all our camping gear and wait for the local transport (minibus or any other vehicle) and then transfer to Cabanaconde - If time permit stop at Mirador Cruz Del Condor, lunch in Chivay (included) and OPTIONAL short visit the thermal pools of La Calera and around 3PM travel by public bus from Chivay to Arequipa and drop-off at your hotel and of service (B - L).