colca canyon trek - arequipa tours

Daily departures available

The Colca Canyon is located in colca river, right on the Valley of the Volcanoes in southern Peru. It is located about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of Arequipa, it's one of the deepest canyons in the world at 10,725 ft (3,269 m), it is more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the United States. The Cotahuasi Canyon nearby to the northwest is referred to as being a deeper canyon at 11,488 ft (3,501 m). Since they are such major features of the landscape, the Colca and Cotahuasi canyons are both easily recognizable in even low-resolution satellite photos of the region. The Colca Valley is a colorful andean valley with towns founded in spanish colonial times and formerly inhabited by the Collaguas and the Cabanas. The local people still maintains ancestral traditions and continues cultivating the Inca and pre-inka. So, visit this beautiful site in a unique program combinating minivan and bicycle in a escorted tour.

colca canyon trek itinerary option 01

Day 01: Arequipa / Pampa Cañahuas / Chivay / Colca Canyon: At 7am we pick you up from your hotel and 4 hours by our own 4WD, this travel is between the Misti and Chachani volcanoes up to 4850m where will see Llamas, Alpacas, Andean birds also will appreciate the Vicuñas, this animals living are protected by the nationalreserve of Aguada Blanca and Salinas. We'd have a nice blue sky while doing our downhill MT. bike trip, beginning at the highest pass on this trip, named Patapampa (4850m) from here is possible to observe the volcanoes chain and mountain range in the South of Peru, to rice our bicycles on a nice asphalt or taking single track on the ancestral Inca trail, descending 1200m to Chivay town (3600m). In Chivay we will have lunch and at 1:00 pm. continue biking on dirt road on the left bank of the Colca river, crossing between old pre-Inca terraces and small villages and visiting colony churches. Finally we will arrive at Maca village (3350m); after 4-5 hours here we will spend the night in a nice accommodation with hot shower and private bath. Lunch and dinner are provided this day.

Day 02: Colca Canyon / Cruz Del Condor / Cabanaconde / Soro Valley / Llahuar Hot Spring. At 6am after packing everything, have our energetic breakfast and continue traveling 2 hours and 40 minutes on our own private 4x4 vehicle, continue on the left bank we will arrive at 8:00 am. to the popular Condor Cross, and stop for about 2 hours to be able to see the condors flights, getting pictures of the small villages in the deepest part of the deepest second canyon in the world. At 1am we will bike down till Cabanaconde (3280m) this short trip biking take one hour and half. In Cabanaconde we will have lunch and short recognition of this Andean town surrounded by green terraces dated from Inca time. At 1pm continue downhill biking on serpentine dirt abandoned road, this downhill offer spectacular view of the both side of the deepest part of the Colca canyon. After 2 hours we finish downhill at valley of Soro (1950m) across the suspension bride you will be on the right bank of the river. Trekking along the river through cactus forest till Llahuar lodge where will find nice hot spring next of the river. After enjoying the thermal bath willhave delicious dinner accompanied by deed starry sky. Stay in charm bamboo cabins, (Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided).

Day 03: Llahuar Hot Spring / Pacya / Sagalle Oasis.Today we will up at 6am and then enjoin a delicious country breakfast witch the best sun rising over the Colca and Llatica River. At 7am trekking across the Llatica River and uphill through mountainous landscape and following single track between the cactus forest and wildlife. After 5 hours trekking we will be at the Oasis where are nice swim pool (cold water) next to the bamboo cabins. Lunch in the middle of nature and peaceful valley located between two huge balls combined witch different colorful landslide., in the late afternoon we trek uphill on the left bank, this climb will take 3 hours by thousands of steps along the way. This climb will be the hardest and strenuous trek on this trip. Finally you will get the top of the climb and you feel how dig and deep is the Cabanas world. We walk to Cabanaconde to have hot shower, delicious dinner and stay in a comfortable rooms, (Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided).

Day 04: Cabanaconde - Cruz Del Condor - Chivay - Arequipa. At 7am have breakfast and begin 2 hours of nice trekking on the left rim of Colca Canyon, to the Condor's Cross lookout, viewing many smalls’ towns all around the Colca Valley, located in the high part of the canyon. At the Condor's Cross lookout we can appreciate the best fly of the highest Andean bird. Continue our journey through the Colca valley, and mountainous range. After 2 hours of travel we will arrive to Chivay to have lunch. Optional visit to the Hot springs of Chivay, (3600m). At 1pm travel back to Arequipa, this travel takes 4 hours passing the highest pass of this trip (Patapampa 4850m), from you can see the magnificent of the active volcanoes and highest mountain of the south of Peru. Pampas Cañahuas is the home of the Vicuñas, considerate protected wild animal, living at high altitudes like 4000m. Continue driving down arrive to Arequipa and complete our trip, (Breakfast and lunch provided).

Price: Backpacker service (public bus), 1 to more participants US$ 265 each, daily departures according  availability.

Private VIP service (private van):
2 participants minimum US$ 400 each
3-4 participants US$ 350 each.
5 to more participants US$320 each.

Discount 5%: South American Explorers Club Members
Discount 10%: Tour Operators or Travel Agencies Only
Students: US$5 discount only with valid green ISIC card

colca canyon trek - arequipa tours
3 days 2 nights

colca canyon trek itinerary:

Day 1: Arequipa colca – Colca. 6:00 AM - We set out for the bus station to catch a local bus to the small town of Cabanaconde. We arrive in Cabanaconde (3,287 masl) after a 6 hour trip. Upon arriving we will have lunch at a restaurant, Valle del Fuego. We start the trek down to the Colca River (3:30 /4 hrs. Aprox). On the way down to the bottom of the Canyon we will visit a typical village named San Juan de Chuccho, 2200 masl. During the dry season in Colca the weather maintains an average temperature of about 30şC. In the bowels of the canyon we will find a variety of volcanic stones. We will spend the night in the village of San Juan de Chuccho in typical huts with dinner prepared and served by a local family.

Day 2: Colca – Oasis. 6:00 AM - Get up and have a breakfast. On this day we will hike to Tapay (2900 masl), about 1 hour and 30 minutes. going up. This colonial village is known for its Quechua-speaking population. Also, it affords us a lookout to the opposite side of the Canyon. Continuing the hike, we make a 2 hour descent to the villages of Coshńirhua (2350 mhsl) and Malata (2350 masl), and then another hour of hiking to arrive at the oasis of Sangalle (2000 masl). Lunch. The oasis of Sangalle is a great place to relax and appreciate nature, while also taking advantage of the lukewarm swimming pools (18şC). The owners of the oasis have built small houses of bamboo where we will be spending the night. Our guide will explain the various native fruits growing in the oasis, such as the lucma, the pacay, and the chirimoya. You will also have the opportunity to taste them.

Day 3: Oasis - Chivay – Arequipa. 4:30 AM - Back up to Cabanaconde (1200 m up). We will be setting out a little early to catch the sunrise over Colca Canyon, and also to make time for our stop at Cross of the Condor to watch for condors. There is also a possibility of spotting condors on the trek up to town from the oasis. We will have breakfast when we arrive in Cabanaconde. We then take the local bus to Condor’s Cross (25 min.) to admire the condor in flight (about an 1 hour and a half) before continuing on to the town of Chivay to relax in the thermal hot springs (38şC). In order to enjoy more time in the hot springs we will bring along a lunch of sandwiches and fruit. Afterward we make the return trip to Arequipa, arriving at approximately 5 PM.

the colca canyon trek Includes:

• Private minivan supporting vehicle (whole trip).
• English speaking MT bike guide.
• MT bikes in maintenance (full disc brake).
• Helmet; light ventilated and comfortable for your head.
• Complete Meals During tour.
• 2 nights in basic comfortable hostel, 1 night in bamboo room. (option 1).
• 2 nights in basic comfortable hostel, 01 night Option 2.
• Entrance fee to the National Park - Colca Canyon (some tour operators don’t include this ticket).
• Repair kit and new parts.
• Bottle of oxygen and first aid kit for all participants and our cam staff.
• Biking tour price include government taxes.
• Colca canyon map.

Price excludes:

• Alcoholic drinks.
• Tips for guide and camp staff.
• Cycling shoes.
• Entrance for the hot spring.

What you need to bring / carry:

• Small backpack.
• Rain jacket or poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Arequipa).
• Tennis shoes.
• One complete change of clothing.
• Camel bag for water.
• Flashlight and batteries.
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun.
• Sun block (sun protection cream).
• Insect repellent.
• Toiletries, towel and toilet paper.
• Selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits etc.
• Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries.
• Sunglasses.
• Swimsuit (for the hot springs in the Colca canyon).
• Extra money (soles).

5 discount only with valid green ISIC card

Price: we have accesible prices please contact us!!
Backpacker service (public bus), 1 to more participants daily bdepartures according  availability.
Private VIP service (private van):
2 participants minimum.