Overview
The Colca Canyon Full-Day Tour is an unforgettable experience that combines breathtaking landscapes, Andean culture, and unique wildlife. Known as one of the deepest canyons in the world, Colca offers spectacular views, ancient agricultural terraces, and living traditions that have been preserved for centuries.
This tour is ideal for travelers who want to make the most of their time in Arequipa, visiting the iconic Condor Cross viewpoint, where you can witness the majestic flight of the Andean condor — one of the largest flying birds in the world and a symbol of the Andes.
Tour Highlights
- ✓ Witness the majestic Andean condor soaring above the canyon cliffs
- ✓ Explore one of the deepest canyons in the world
- ✓ Admire stunning pre-Inca agricultural terraces across the valley landscape
- ✓ Visit traditional Andean villages with beautiful colonial-era churches
- ✓ Relax in natural hot springs surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery
- ✓ Observe diverse wildlife including alpacas, llamas, and wild vicuñas
What to Expect
Your adventure begins very early in the morning with hotel pickup. As you travel through the high Andes, you will pass through stunning landscapes, including volcanoes, wetlands, and plains inhabited by alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas.
After breakfast in the town of Chivay, the journey continues to the famous Condor Cross (Cruz del Cóndor). From this viewpoint, you will admire one of the deepest canyons on Earth and, with some luck, observe condors soaring gracefully above the canyon.
On the way back, you will visit the traditional villages of Maca and Yanque, known for their beautiful colonial churches. You will also stop at several scenic viewpoints such as Antahuilque, Huayrapunko, and Peña Blanca, where you can appreciate the impressive pre-Inca agricultural terraces.
Later, back in Chivay, you will have the option to relax in the thermal baths before enjoying lunch.
In the afternoon, the return journey to Arequipa includes stops at the Volcanoes Viewpoint (the highest point of the route at 4,910 meters above sea level), the Tocra wetlands, where you can observe wild birds and herds of alpacas and llamas, and Pampa Cañahuas, home to vicuñas within the Aguada Blanca and Salinas National Reserve.
Tour Itinerary
Colca Canyon Full Day Tour
Colca Canyon Full-Day Tour – Itinerary
02:30 – 03:00 a.m.
Hotel pickup from different accommodations in Arequipa.
03:00 – 07:30 a.m.
Departure toward Colca Canyon via Yura. The journey continues directly to Cruz del Cóndor (approximately 4 hours), with a stop in Chivay for breakfast.
08:30 a.m. (approx.)
Arrival at Cruz del Cóndor (Condor Cross). Enjoy breathtaking views of one of the deepest canyons in the world and observe the Andean condor in its natural habitat.
09:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Return journey with stops at:
- Maca and Yanque villages (colonial churches)
- Scenic viewpoints: Antahuilque, Huayrapunko, and Peña Blanca
11:30 a.m. (approx.)
Arrival in Chivay. Optional visit to the hot springs.
12:00 p.m. (approx.)
Lunch in Chivay.
01:00 p.m.
Departure back to Arequipa.
Afternoon stops include:
- Volcanoes Viewpoint (Patapampa – 4,910 m / 16,108 ft)
- Tocra wetlands (wild birds, alpacas, and llamas)
- Pampa Cañahuas (vicuñas in Aguada Blanca and Salinas National Reserve)
05:00 p.m. (approx.)
Arrival in Arequipa and drop-off near your hotel.
Inclusions
- ✓ Transportation
- ✓ Professional tour guide
- ✓ Breakfast
- ✓ Lunch
- ✓ Entrance to the thermal baths
Not Included
- X Entrance ticket to Colca Canyon (BTC)
Departure Information
Available: Daily departures
Start Time: 02:30 - 03:00 AM
Pickup: Historic Center Arequipa
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