Discover Arequipa and the Colca Canyon
Discover the colonial city of Arequipa before exploring one of the deepest canyons in the world; impressive for its dramatic scenery, and interesting for its picturesque traditional villages. Get up early on day 4 to watch Condors rising from the depth of the Canyon at dawn.
|
Day |
City |
Activity |
Overnight |
Meals* |
|
Day 1 |
Arequipa |
Arrive Arequipa |
Arequipa |
- |
|
Day 2 |
Arequipa |
Free day in Arequipa |
Arequipa |
B |
|
Day 3 |
Arequipa - Colca |
Travel to Colca Canyon & visit hot springs |
Colca Canyon |
B, L |
|
Day 4 |
Colca - Arequipa |
Visit Cruz del Condor & return to Arequipa |
Arequipa |
B |
|
Day 5 |
Arequipa |
Depart Arequipa |
- |
B |
* B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
- Stay an extra night in Arequipa to enjoy more free time to explore the city
- Upgrade to our superior hotels and lodges - contact us for prices.
- Add this tour to any of our Cusco based Pick & Mix tours
- Why not follow this tour with a trip to Puno? Arequipa and Chivay are both around 6 hours by bus from Puno. Ask us to include direct transport from Chivay to Puno if you would like to combine these tours
Day 1: Arrive Arequipa
Upon arrival in Arequipa, you will have a private transfer to your hotel. Spend the night at our Standard hotel in Arequipa.
Day 2: Free Day in Arequipa
After breakfast at your hotel, no activities are planned for today. We recommend you visit the fascinating Santa Catalina Convent, which feels like a small city in itself. You may also like to visit the Santuarios Andinos Museum to see Juanita the Inca Ice Princess, a well-preserved mummy which was discovered on the volcanic peaks around Arequipa, and is suspected to have been a human Inca sacrifice. Spend the night at our Standard hotel in Arequipa.
Day 3: Colca Canyon
You will be collected from your hotel in the morning and meet your group for the next 2 days. Enjoy travelling over the high mountain pass to the town of Chivay, passing through the Pampa Cañahuas National Reserve where you may spot wild vicuñas and flamingos feasting on the mineral rich waters. Upon arrival in Chivay you will have the chance to visit the main plaza, before heading to Coporaque to check into your hotel. Lunch at the hotel is included. In the afternoon there is an optional walk of approximately one hour around Coporaque village and to the San Antonio hill where you can see the ruins of an ancient cemetery and excellent views of the Canyon. Later there is another optional visit to the hot springs at La Calera, where you can relax in the warm waters and watch the sun set over the mountains. Spend the night at our Standard Colca Canyon lodge.
Day 4: Cruz del Condor – Arequipa
You will need to get up early today (around 5am) to travel to Cruz del Condor in time to see the condors rising up out of the canyon at dawn. You will be able to get close to the amazing birds from the viewing platforms on the edge of the canyon. On the way back to Chivay you will stop at several small village communities in the Colca Canyon to discover their traditional ways of life. You have time for lunch in Chivay, where there is a choice of restaurants, before returning to Arequipa. You will be back in Arequipa by around 5pm. Spend the night in our standard hotel in Arequipa.
Day 5: Depart Arequipa
At the appropriate time you will have a private transfer from your hotel to Arequipa airport, to check-in for your flight.
- 4 nights Accommodation in twin or double rooms in Standard hotels
- Return airport transfers with Spanish speaking driver
- All tours as described with English speaking local guide
- Colca Canyon Entrance fee
- Meals as indicated above
- Entrance fee to La Calera Hot springs (approx £4 per person)
- Entrance fees for Independent touring on Day 2
- Optional tips for guides and / or drivers
- Unspecified meals and services
- International or domestic flights
- Airport taxes
Our Standard hotels in Arequipa and Colca Canyon are clean, comfortable and well located. Both hotels have en-suite bathrooms with hot water and towels. The hotel in Arequipa has wi-fi in the lobby areas. The Colca hotel does not have internet access. They are both small, family-run establishments, and are tastefully decorated and full of charm. The staff are friendly and helpful, and speak basic English. Our standard accommodation is classified locally as 3* hostel.
- Original passport & Immigration card
- Sun hat & glasses
- Sun cream (factor 30+ recommended)
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
- Water
- Cash in soles for hot springs & meals not included (160 soles pp)
- Camera, memory card & charger
- Warm clothes
- Swimwear for optional hot springs visit
- Hand sanitiser
- Toilet paper
- Comfortable shoes & sandals for hot springs