Expedition From Cusco To Rainbow Mountain Q'eswachaca 3 Cañones Colca Canyon And Arequipa

This trip begins at 4AM from customer hotel in Cusco. After aboard our private jeep we will drive through the southern valley of Cusco, we will pass picturesque villages as Saylla, Andahuaylillas, Urcos, Huacarpay, Cusipata until Combapata town. There we will have breakfast included.

The second part of driving will be on gravel road inside small green canyon for about 1hr following zigzag road up to 4700M of altitude.

At 7:30AM we will begin slow and nice hike over the mountains to find natural viewpoints to see 7 different colorful surrounding hills as known as Palcoyo rainbow mountains (4800M). The hike through colorful mountains will be for about 2hrs including the nice uphill hike to the rock forest. The best view of entire colorful red valley will be from the top of the rock forest. During the hiking time we will find groups of Alpacas and Llamas grassing around and belong local Andean people. Another natural and amazing view will be the Ausangate snow-peak, little far away from in the region of Cusco.

Around 10AM we will drive back to the main road, this downhill driving includes few stops to get contact with Andean village people, who will being harvesting or taking care their groups of Llamas or Alpacas.

Today lunch will be offered in the town of Combapata (3450M). Apurimac, at the little Andean village of Perqaro (3900M), and begin the last downhill hike for about 1hr following an ancient trail to the bottom of the canyon, where is located the las suspension Inca bridge, as known as “Q’eswachaca”.

Enjoy great views of the bridge over Rio Apurimac, and then we will have privilege to cross this hanging bridge built with ancestral techniques using a specific grass collected from surrounding mountains.

After minacious process of the Andean grass, it is converted in strong and large ropes used to build this bridge to connect with ancient trails or Qhapaq Ñan, which is an invaluable part of the Inca empire.

Around 5PM we will arrive to small mountain lodge on the left bank of Rio Apurimac, welcome by local family. Dinner and rest (B - L - D).

Today a country breakfast will be served by local family and them continue driving on dirt road through the mountains, passing many flogs of Llamas, Alpaca along the road until the 3 cañones of "Suykutambo", Thank to water erosion has formed three perfect canyons with huge volcanic walls that join in a huge natural amphitheater where the three streams meet in just one, which is Apurimac River. Tres Cañones is a great place to practice hiking through forest of Andean trees as known as “Queñuas”.

Next to this geological wonder is located the Archeological site of Maukallaqta (Old village), dating from pre-Inca culture. The well-preserved architecture of this citadel invites to walk inside to observe different enclosures that transport us to the majestic past of ancient civilizations in this part of the Andes.

After 5 hours of driving on the unforgettable landscape of the Andean mountain range. The adventure continues through amazing countryside sceneries and human lifestyle between Cusco and Arequipa.

Around 2PM we will be heading toward the upper section of the Colca valley, to small town of Sibayo (3830M), to have late lunch offered by local family. Then transfer for about 20min till Canocota village and begin 2hrs hike along the left bank of Colca River. This short but great hiking offer us an amazing view how the Colca valley was formed thanks to Andean streams. Around 5PM arrive to thermal pools of "La Calera" and relax the muscles. Late afternoon transfer to hotel, dinner and rest (B - L - D).

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 – OPTIONAL short hike along the canyon to observe more Condors flying around.

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 (main square) and then 4 hours of journey from Chivay to Arequipa – This transfer includes few stops to use toilet – The tour ends in your hotel of Arequipa around 5PM to 6PM.