With the Colca Canyon Tour, you will enjoy the Valley of the Volcanoes, the region’s rich flora and fauna, and the breathtaking Colca Canyon. The Colca Valley is located in the northeastern part of the Arequipa region, at an altitude of 3,600 meters above sea level, near the Ampato and Sabancaya volcanoes. It is considered one of the deepest canyons in the world, reaching approximately 4,160 meters in depth. Blessed with privileged Andean vegetation due to its climate, it is one of the most extraordinary destinations in the country. Throughout the valley, you can see colorful pre-Inca terraces, and at the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, you can witness the majestic flight of the Andean condors. At the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, you will be able to admire the flight of the condor, a majestic and endangered bird that inhabits the canyon. The region’s diverse fauna allows travelers to spot animals such as alpacas, vicuñas, viscachas, foxes, pumas, eagles, hawks, and owls. You can experience all of this onthe Condor Flight Tour.
03:00am to 03:30am Between that time, we pick up from the hotels in the center of Arequipa. 03:30am We begin our trip of approximately 03 hours to reach the town of Chivay where we will have our breakfast; They will be given a time of 20 minutes for breakfast and from there we will continue our way to the second point which is the Viewpoint of the Cruz del Condor where you can appreciate the depth of the canyon and if it is feasible to see the flight of the Condor; In the place we will stay an average of 30 minutes so that you can enjoy nature and take photos. Then we go to the town of Cabanaconde which is at a height of 3287m.s.n.m. where we will start our walk to the Viewpoint of Pampa San Miguel; at the point we will be able to appreciate the route that we will take through the canyon, thus starting the descent towards the town of San Juan de Chuccho where we will spend the first night; We will make a walk of approximately 03 hours until we reach the Colca River where we will pass through a suspension bridge; passing the bridge we will make a short way up to reach San Juan de Chuccho where we will have lunch, in the afternoon we will be able to appreciate some fruit trees and medicinal plants in the area. Dinner and overnight.
After breakfast we resume our walk inside the canyon passing through the towns of Cosñirhua and Malata towards the Sangalle Oasis where we will spend the night; We will arrive at 12:30pm approx. Upon arrival at the oasis we will have lunch and after that the distribution of rooms will be made so that they can rest for a moment. In the afternoon you can spend a refreshing moment in the pool. Dinner and overnight in the Bungalows.
05:00am we will begin the ascent towards the town of Cabanaconde; our path is approximately 03 hours in the form of a zigzag and a little cobbled until we reach a cross that is the point where the whole group gathers to rest for a moment and photos can also be taken with an impressive view of the canyon; Then we will take a short walk along a flat path to reach the main square of the town where the restaurant is located so that we can have breakfast. Then we will board the transport that will take us to the town of Chivay, on the way we will make stops such as the Antahuilque viewpoint to appreciate the impressive terraces of the valley; the town of Maca where you can appreciate its church that is traditional for the architecture it has, you can also appreciate the sale of handicrafts made by the same residents of the area. We continue our way until we reach Chivay to visit the Hot Springs. In the place they can stay for a time of 01 hour. Finally, we go to a buffet-style restaurant for lunch (payment on behalf of the client), then we start our way back to the city of Arequipa; on the way we will make a stop at the highest point of the road which is Patapampa, it is at a height of 4800m.s.n.m where we can appreciate part of the mountain range; We will also make astop in the wetlands to appreciate the main camelids that inhabit the area such as the Alpaca, Llama and Vicuña. 05:00pm Arrival in the city of Arequipa and we will leave you near the Main Square.
There are 15 km from the start, at the Mirador de San Miguel, to Cabanaconde.
The Colca Canyon route is done in two days and one night.
Yes, you can take a regular bus from Arequipa to Chivay, which takes 3 hours and costs 15 soles.
The Colca Canyon reaches 4,150 meters deep in some points, it is very deep.
It is not difficult in technical terms, but it is tough because of the altitude. The trekking is safe, has no technical difficulty and is well signposted. Therefore, it is recommended to do it on your own and without a tour.
The Sangalle Oasis is located at an altitude of 1900 meters above sea level (6,232 feet above sea level) in the district of Cabanaconde (at 3287 meters above sea level) in the province of Caylloma, in the Arequipa region. Sangalle is a valley that is part of Cabanaconde and is known as the Oasis of Sangalle in tourist terms. To reach this unique place, it is necessary to zigzag down the side of the canyon along a bridle path, which takes approximately two to two and a half hours.
Food during this tour will be coordinated by the travel agency, although it is also recommended to bring snacks and drinks for the tour.
What is the weather like on the route to the Sangalle Oasis ? The climate on the route is warm and humid, which is ideal for the growth of flora and fauna in the area. This makes the area primarily a fruit-growing region. All this is located in an area of 50 hectares surrounded by vegetation, majestic mountains and natural beauty.
It is possible to visit Colca throughout the year, but the optimal season is between April and May, since it marks the end of the rainy season and these months exhibit the most intense greenery of the platforms in the Colca Valley and its landscapes.
In general, you can do the hike with children from 9 years old, since the trail is not complicated. However, in the case of older adults, it is recommended to contact us to adapt the tour according to your needs.
The hike takes a total of about 7 hours, most of which is downhill, with time to rest and eat. There is only a 1.5 hour stretch from San Juan de Chuccho to Malata where the gradient can be challenging, but the view is certainly worth it.
It is important to bring enough water and snacks for the hike, warm clothing and sunscreen, insect repellent, a backpack suitable for trekking, appropriate hiking shoes, sunglasses, a waterproof jacket (since rain can be unexpected) and money. in cash, since there are no ATMs on the route.
The difficulty level is moderate. Although it is not technically complicated, it is recommended to be in good physical shape, as there are demanding sections. Furthermore, the altitude, which reaches 4000 meters above sea level, is an important factor to take into account.
It is mandatory for the passenger to report any health problems or previous injuries to ensure their safety during trekking.
Tips for guides are not included in the price.
It is advisable to wear extremely warm clothing for the morning transport, as the route to the Canyon reaches altitudes of almost 5000 meters above sea level and temperatures can be very cold.
NOTE: THIS TREKKING IS NOT EASY, SOME CONSIDER IT MORE DEMANDING THAN THE MACHU PICCHU TREKKING.
It is possible to hire mules for people who feel fatigued during trekking.
I hope these tips help you enjoy your trekking in the Colca Canyon safely and pleasantly. Good hike!