Full-Day Colca Canyon Photo
Cesar Photo

Let Cesar know what you think!

Days available
Every day
Schedule
3AM, 4AM
Languages offered
English & Spanish
Duration
14 hrs
Transportation
Included
Mobile ticket
Included
Full-Day Colca Canyon PhotoFull-Day Colca Canyon Photo

Take this tour to spend a full day exploring the Colca Canyon and its surrounding villages. This is a breathtaking landscape, with one of the deepest canyons in the world, swooping Andean condors, and a patchwork of rich, green farmland.

The tour departs at 4:00 am from Arequipa. You need an early start in order to get to all the incredible views while the sun is still high. Once you arrive at Chivay — the gateway to Colca Canyon — you’ll stop for breakfast. Next stop is Cruz de Condor, a must-see sight when you visit the canyon. Cruz de Condor is a known hotspot for spotting extremely rare Andean condors flying over the dramatic plunge of the canyon. The canyon is 11,155 feet (3,400 m) deep and is one of the deepest canyons in the world.

As you make your way toward some more vistas, you’ll stop at some of the area’s rural villages. On a trip here, you’ll get to visit the villages of Pinchollo, Maca, and Yanque — tiny villages originally founded by the Spanish. Maca is surrounded by agriculture and still has a 16th-century colonial church. Yanque has a nicely preserved 18th-century church. Pinchollo itself doesn’t have many points of interest but is well-known for the surrounding geothermal activity.

Next, you’ll arrive at the Antahuilque Viewpoint. From here you can get a better idea of the sheer size of the canyon walls. Within the canyon, you’ll see evidence of bygone civilizations, including the Choquetico Tombs that are carved at an impressive height.

After seeing the canyon, it’s time to head back to Chivay for a noontime lunch. Then you’ll begin your return journey to Arequipa, which includes a couple of incredible views along the way. Mirador de los Andes is 16,000 feet (4,910 m) above sea level, on a windy peak where you can see some of the region’s far-off volcanoes. When you stop at the National Reserve of Pampa Cañahuas, you’ll have a chance to see native vicuñas, llamas, or alpacas. Finally, you’ll arrive back at Arequipa at around 6:00 PM.

What to Bring

Hiking shoes, comfortable clothes, a water bottle, sunglasses, a camera, and money for personal expenses (for your breakfast and lunch).

What's included

Transportation, guided tour, and entrance fee to Colca Canyon.
Full-Day Colca Canyon

Similar things to do

Arequipa City and Santa Catalina Monastery Tour

Set in the foreground of the scenic El Misti Volcano, Arequipa’s white stone architecture is truly a sight to behold. This tour will introduce you to several of the city’s religious buildings – including the very special Santa Catalina Monastery – and take you to a few key lookout points to see the city of from above.
Arequipa City and Santa Catalina Monastery Tour

Arequipa Countryside Tour

This tour takes you across different landscapes to several destinations that are interesting for either architectural or natural aesthetics. You’re likely to get views of nearby volcanoes as you move through the countryside from site to site.
Arequipa Countryside Tour

Arequipa Countryside and Santa Catalina Tour

The city and surrounding countryside of Arequipa hold numerous fascinating sites, some natural, some manmade. This tour shows you a few of each, including the famous monastery in Arequipa.
Arequipa Countryside and Santa Catalina Tour
More things to do