Minimum age: 12 years old – Must have parents permission

DAY 01:AREQUIPA –CRUZ DEL CONDOR – SAN JUAN DE CHUCCHO - OASIS

Pick up from the hotel between 3:00 am and 3:30 am and we will go to the town of Chivay, which is about 4 hours drive from Arequipa. On the way, we will stop at the town of Yanque where we have breakfast (06:30 am approx).

Then we will travel for 1 hour to La Cruz del Cóndor, which is the best place to see the Canyon and the famous Andean condor birds, we will have 40 minutes to see the flight of the condors, and the depth of the canyon.

Approximately at 9:30 am we will arrive at the Mirador de Pampa San Miguel, and immediately we will begin the trek in descent to the canyon (3 hours) going from 3,300 meters to 2,100 meters into the canyon.

Around 12:30 pm we will arrive at the first suspension bridge, we will have a rest and then we will continue our walk for 30 minutes more. We will arrive at San Juan de Chuccho community for lunch. After lunch, we will continue the march, this time, to visit the villages of Malata and Cosñirhua.

Approximately at 5 pm, we will arrive at the Oasis Sangalle, a peaceful and charming place at an altitude of approximately 1,900 meters, where we will enjoy its swimming pool, surrounded by greenery.

Rest in adobe bungalow typical of the area.

DAY 2: OASIS SANGALLE – CABANACONDE – CHIVAY - AREQUIPA

At 05:00 am we begin the ascent hike for 03 HRS. (It is recommended to bring snacks since breakfast is after the trek and also bring a flashlight). This part of the trek can provide spectacular views, as you’ll be trekking during the sunrise.

We will arrive at 8:30 am to the town of Cabanaconde where breakfast and the visit of the town takes place. In this town we will take the return bus, towards the city of Chivay, we will stop at a viewpoint to see the pre-Inca andenería of the valley.

At 11 am is the arrival to the town of Yanque, we will have time to visit the thermo-medicinal baths (approx. 1 hour) with water temperatures of 38°C (optional). After lunch in Chivay we will return to the city of Arequipa making stops at the Mirador de Los Volcanes (4910 masl), and Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve (to observe the South American camelids, llama, alpaca, vicuña and guanaco). This is where you can get a selfie with an alpaca, or even a vicuña if you are lucky.

At the end of the afternoon, you’ll arrive in Arequipa between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm, and we will drop you off at Zela Street next to the Monastery of Santa Catalina.

Note:

- Official Colca Canyon entrance tax of 70 soles is not included in the ticket price. This must be paid on the tour.

- For those that wish to finish in Puno: On return to Chivay at 1 pm, there will just be 15 minutes for lunch before departing to Puno. Arrival time in Puno is 7 pm, and the drop off point is at Puno Plaza de Armas.

- Rainy season lasts from December to March. We recommend you bring rain clothes (rain poncho) and a spare change of clothes. (these are available to rent or buy in Arequipa).

DAY 1: 03:00 - 03:30

Hostel and hotel pick up

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DAY 1: 03:30 - 08:30

Drive towards Chivay and stop to have breakfast along the way

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DAY 1: 08:30 - 09:10

See Condor's Cross

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DAY 1: 09:10 - 09:30

Bus to Pampas San Miguel

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DAY 1: 09:30 - 13:30

Start the trek downhill from 3,300 metres

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DAY 1: 13:30 - 17:00

Have lunch and reach the deepest part of our trek, the Sangalle Oasis

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DAY 1: 19:00

Have dinner and rest a night in the amazing oasis

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DAY 2: 05:00 - 08:00

Ascent, start trek to Cabanaconde

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DAY 2: 08:00 - 08:45

Have breakfast

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DAY 2: 11:30 - 12:00

Optional visit to the natural hot springs of Chivay

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DAY 2: 12:00 - 14:00

Go to Chivay and have lunch

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DAY 2: 14:00 - 17:00

Bus back to Arequipa city

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DAY 2: 17:00 - 17:30

Arrive back to Arequipa and be dropped off Zela street next to the Monastery of Santa Catalina

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- Pick up from your hotel or hostel
- Transport
- Exclusive and private resort
- Professional guide (English and Spanish speaking)
- Food:
2 breakfast
1 lunch
1 dinner
- Accommodation: 1 night: Oasis "Tropical" or "Cielo" (simple exclusive Adobe bungalows)
- First aid kit

- The government enforced tourist entrance tax for the Colca:
Foreigners 13 years of age and above: 70 soles (approx. USD $25)
South American 13 years of age and above: 40 soles (approx. USD $15)
National 13years of age and above: 20 soles (approx. USD $8)
Children (All Nationalities) under 13years of age: 5 soles (approx. USD $2)
Note: Not included on any tours, as it is illegal to include it

- Hot springs (Chivay - 15 soles (approx. USD $5)
- Last lunch (Chivay)
- Drinks and water

- Light backpack
- 1.5 to 2 litres of water for Day 1 (if you need more, you can buy it at the small shops in the villages)
- Sun cream (very important)
- Hat, sunglasses
- Trekking shoes or boots
- Warm layers, sweater or jacket (IMPORTANT) –temperatures can reach lows of -10 ̊ C
- Shorts or pants for walking
- Swimming suit, sandals, towel
- Flashlight/headtorch – early trek starts at 5am before sunrise (it will be dark!)
- Toilet paper
- Snacks (breakfast on the last day is given only AFTER the early morning hike out of the canyon)
- Insects repellent
- Personal medication
- Hiking sticks (optional)
- Money for drinks

IMPORTANT: You must carry a copy of your passport on the first day of your trek.

Cancellation or changes of this tour:

CHANGES: It is FREE to change the tour date before 6:00 pm (Lima time) the day before the tour begins.

NO SHOWS & CANCELLATIONS: If you cancel the day prior to the tour before 6:00 pm (Lima time) or earlier, a 10% administration fee (+ the card fee) will apply. After this time, there is a 100% no-show or cancellation fee.

You must email bookings@findlocaltrips.com (include the name of the tour and the reservation number) to cancel this tour or to make any changes.

1. I can’t find my accommodation listed in the operator pick up locations as I’m making my booking. What should I select?

   This operator only offers pick-ups from the hotel and hostel accommodation listed, this covers over 90% of the accommodation providers in the area. They do not provide pick-ups or drop-offs at private residences, Airbnbs, bus terminals etc. Select an alternative close by and be ready there for pick-up at the time on your booking confirmation.

2. What is the difference between the Colca Canyon TOURS and TREKS?

   During the tours you will have limited walking sections, as most of the time you stay on a bus and only get outside at several viewing points. The tours are more recommended for travellers who want or (because of physical conditions) have to take it easy. Treks however, are perfect for people with good physical condition. With treks, you will definitely get more and intense views of the beautiful and unique landscape of the Canyon.

3. What's the difference between a 2-day and a 3-day trek?

   The routes for both tours are the same. The three-day trek just offers more time to relax and enjoy the canyon. Because of that, the tour is easier than the 2-day trek. But still, neither trek is easy!

4. Will I see Condors on this tour?

   There are quite a few Condors out there, and as we visit different viewing points the chances are quite good. We still cannot guarantee that you will be able to see them, but if you get lucky they will fly just above your head!

5. Do I need to bring trekking shoes?

   Not necessarily, but as you will spend several hours hiking up and down through the canyon, we recommend to at least wear stable and comfortable shoes.

6. Will I have problems with altitude sickness on this tour?

   Altitude sickness can catch many travellers a little bit off guard. Not everyone gets sick in high altitudes, and it is difficult to predict who is likely to be badly affected by it. For most people, it is nothing more than a headache and a dizzy sensation that diminishes over a short period of time, 1 to 2 days for most people. If you want to limit your chances of getting sick, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, do not fly directly into high altitude - proceed slowly, allowing your body time to acclimatise as you ascend gradually. However, for many that is not possible, so it’s important to drink lots of water, and to slow down! This sounds simple, but both of these things are very important. Your body is struggling because you don’t have enough oxygen, so avoiding any strenuous activity is a good idea. Chew some coca leaves - the native people of South America have been chewing coca for centuries, thanks to its ability to alleviate mild altitude sickness symptoms. Coca leaves can be bought in any supermarket, and even souvenir shops or street stalls. Take altitude sickness pills (Soroche): these are sold over the counter all over Peru and Bolivia, and are just a few dollars. If you are flying straight into altitude over 2500 metres without spending any time at an intermediate elevation, and you’re worried about getting sick, you can ask your doctor for more specific and stronger altitude sickness medication in advance. In the rare case that your symptoms are more severe than a headache and mild dizziness, you should descend in altitude and seek medical assistance.

7. Do I need any camping equipment?

   You do not need any specialist equipment with you to be able to tackle the Colca. A tent is not required. Accommodation is in small rustic huts, located in the ¨Oasis¨ at the bottom of the Canyon. It can get cold at night and very warm during the day, so you need to pack for all weather conditions, and have comfortable footwear (trekking shoes or good trainers are sufficient). Some guides also recommend bringing a flashlight and some snacks.

8. Can I finish in Puno instead of Arequipa?

   Yes, this is possible. On return to Chivay at 1pm, there will just be 15 minutes for lunch before departing to Puno. Arrival time in Puno is 7pm, and the drop off point is at Puno, Plaza de Armas. For this option, you MUST select the ticket option - TREK + TRANSFER FROM THE CANYON TO PUNO - when making a booking.

9. Is there oxygen provided on this trek?

   No, there is no oxygen provided during the trek. There is however an emergency oxygen tank in our private transportation.

10. During the trek, how many people are there per group?

    Groups are between 10 to 12 people per 1 bilingual guide.

11. Can I rent trekking poles with the operator?

    Yes, you can rent a pair of trekking poles, and the price is 20 soles per set per day (S/.10 soles each). You need to inform us 24 hours before your tour date.

12. Can I rent mules?

    Yes, it costs 80 soles per day, or 60 soles during the uphill section on the last day from Sangalle to Cabanaconde.

13. How many kilometres per day do I need to walk during the trek?

    You will trek 21 Km. The first day you will walk 14 km and the second day 7km. We recommend that to participate you should be an active person, and practice some sports or walking/hiking.

14. Do I need to bring drinking water for my treks?

    There is no water included, so you will need to bring water for the first day of your trek. In the canyon there are a few shops and stalls in the accommodation providers where you can buy water. Given the isolated location, it is more expensive than Arequipa or Puno (it costs approx. 10 or 15 soles for a 2.5 litre water bottle).

15. Can I start the tour in Chivay?

    Yes, you can! There is no problem if your hotel is in Chivay. However, if your hotel is on the outskirts of the town of Chivay, there will be an extra charge. You will need to send us an e-mail at the time of your booking in order to inform the tour operator.

16. Does this tour operator cater for special dietary requirements such as vegetarian and vegan?

    Yes, you must let your guide know of your dietary requirements on the first day of your trek. It is important to note that the concepts of veganism and vegetarianism are quite new in Peru, and so alternative options will be extremely limited (rice, salad, vegetables). We suggest taking some snacks.

17. Can I have a private room if I travel alone or as a couple?

    Yes, of course, but you will need to pay an extra 40 soles. You need to inform us 24 hours before your tour date.

18. Is there an accommodation upgrade available, instead of a basic hotel?

    No, this Colca Canyon provider does not offer alternative accommodation. If you wish to stay in a different hotel or lodge in the Canyon, it is recommended you book a private tour of the Canyon.

19. I do not want to take all of my belongings with me to the Canyon. Where can I leave my big bag or suitcase?

    Hotels and hostels in Arequipa will all store your bags in their safety deposit for free whilst you are away at the Canyon, until you check in again upon your return. Head off to the trip with just what you need and leave the rest in storage. If you continue after your trek from Chivay to Puno, on the first day of your trek you will have breakfast in a restaurant in Chivay. This restaurant has a storage facility, where passengers who are trekking can leave their backpacks for a small fee, and pick them up on return.

20. Why book with FindLocalTrips.com?

    Apart from our low-price guarantee, with us, you are 100% assured that your booking is made. We provide instant email confirmation and have live spaces and availability for each tour. If you have any queries, you are in the hands of our team of 20 local experts here on the ground, who speak perfect Spanish and English. We guarantee quick responses to any questions or queries. Tour operators are experts at operating their tours... We are the experts at reservations, organization, and assistance with your plans for these tours.