let’s talk about checking out Colca Valley. From our experience, if you’re planning a visit here, the smartest move is to jump on a Colca Valley tour. Now, we at “Viajeros Callejeros” are usually all about doing our own thing when we travel, but in this case, we genuinely think signing up for a tour is the way to go. It’s a great deal for what you pay, and you seriously save yourself a lot of time and headaches. Plus, when you’re with a guide, you really get to understand the culture, the landscape, and the cool animals of the valley on a much deeper level.
So, with that said, it’s worth digging into the different Colca Canyon tours out there to see which one fits what you’re looking for. Here are the ones we’d recommend booking:
1-Day Colca Valley Tour from Arequipa: This one’s an early bird! You’re heading out at around 3 AM to catch the Cruz del Cóndor – that’s Condor Cross – and then you’ll hit up various viewpoints over the canyon. You’ll also get to soak in the Chacapi hot springs, swing by Chivay, check out the Mirador de los Volcanes – Volcanoes Viewpoint – and the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve. You’ll be back in Arequipa by about 5:30 PM.
2-Day Colca Valley Tour from Arequipa: This tour kicks off at 8 AM in Arequipa, known as the White City (altitude: 7,677 feet, 2,340 meters). You’ll cruise through the Salinas Reserve and the Mirador de los Volcanes (altitude: approximately 16,000 feet, 4,877 meters) before rolling into Chivay (altitude: 11,811 feet, 3,600 meters). Then, you get to chill out with a bath at La Calera hot springs (altitude: approximately 11,811 feet, 3,600 meters) and just relax in Chivay for the afternoon. The next morning, it’s all about the Cruz del Cóndor (altitude: approximately 12,664 feet, 3,860 meters), more viewpoints, and the towns of Maca (altitude: 10,827 feet, 3,300 meters) and Yanque (altitude: 11,300 feet, 3,444 meters) before heading back to Arequipa. Honestly, this is the option we’d suggest you go for.
3-Day Colca Valley Tour from Arequipa: It’s pretty similar to the 2-day tour, but it’s more laid-back. After you get to Chivay (altitude: 11,811 feet, 3,600 meters), you’ll explore the town of Corporaque (altitude: 11,155 feet, 3,400 meters) and the La Calera hot springs (altitude: approximately 11,811 feet, 3,600 meters). The next day, after you’ve marveled at the condors at Cruz del Cóndor (altitude: approximately 12,664 feet, 3,860 meters), you’ll take a wander through the charming towns of Pinchollo (altitude: 11,500 feet, 3,505 meters), Maca (altitude: 10,827 feet, 3,300 meters), and Yanque (altitude: 11,300 feet, 3,444 meters). On the last day, you’ll get to experience life with a farming family in Corporaque (altitude: 11,155 feet, 3,400 meters) before heading back to Arequipa (altitude: 7,677 feet, 2,340 meters).
Other Options Worth Considering:
1-Day Colca Canyon Tour ending in Puno: This option is very similar to the 1-day tour we just talked about, but this one wraps up in Puno (altitude: 12,556 feet, 3,827 meters). It’s a smart choice if you’re short on time and heading to Lake Titicaca next.
2-Day Colca Canyon Tour ending in Puno: Just like the previous one, but this one’s over two days and also finishes in Puno (altitude: 12,556 feet, 3,827 meters). Just make sure you point out this option when you’re booking.
4-Day Tour of Colca Canyon and Arequipa: This is a combo deal – it mixes the 2-day Colca Valley tour with a guided tour of the main sights in Arequipa (altitude: 7,677 feet, 2,340 meters).
2-Day Tour of Chivay and the Source of the Amazon River: This one’s also like the 1-day tour, but after you spend the night in Chivay (altitude: 11,811 feet, 3,600 meters), you’ll visit the Apurímac River, which is known as the birthplace of the Amazon River (altitude: approximately 11,000 feet, 3,350 meters).
Private Colca Canyon Tour from Arequipa: If you want to make it extra special, you can book a private tour and pick the option that suits you best. Whether it’s one, two, or three days, with hiking, ending in Puno (altitude: 12,556 feet, 3,827 meters)… you name it.
On pretty much all of these Colca Valley tours, you’ll stop at different viewpoints to take in the canyon views. If you’re keen to stretch your legs more, you can book a trekking tour right in Arequipa (altitude: 7,677 feet, 2,340 meters) or once you’re in Cabanaconde (altitude: 10,761 feet, 3,280 meters). This would involve hiking down into the canyon. Keep in mind, though, it’s a tough walk of about 20 kilometers (around 12.4 miles) with a drop of roughly 1,100 meters (about 3,600 feet), and you’ll have to climb all that back up the day after you’ve slept in the Oasis de Sangalle (altitude: approximately 6,988 feet, 2,130 meters), which is at the deepest part of the valley.
