If you are planning to travel to Peru, the best itinerary should includes the visit to Arequipa and The Colca Canyon, both places are a must do.
The Colca Canyon is the second deepest in the world and offers a huge variety of ways to explore It, one of this options is to go to the bottom and do one of the most beautiful hikes in Peru.
Discover here, the difference between the Colca Canyon Trek Vs Colca Tour and choose the best option for you!
Ways to Discover the Colca Canyon in Arequipa -Peru
TRhe Colca Canyon is the third most popular place between tourists who are coming to Peru, of course a previous visit to the Arequipa city must be included.
The trips to the Colca Canyon could started from Puno, Cusco or Arequipa, depending on your travel budget and itinerary.
One Day Colca Canyon Tour
This is the perfect options If you don’t have much time but you don’t want to skip the condors flight, the andean terraces, the realxing time in the hot springs and of course the impressive views of the Canyon.
The are 2 options for visiting the Canyon in 1 day: the private service, which include private transport and tour guide and the group tour.
2 Day Colca Canyon Tour
You can spend 2 day in the Colca Valley with no hiking inside the canyon. The group tour includes the overnight in Chivay or Yanque town, both places has hot springs: La Calera and Chacapi.
A private 2 day tour, includes the overnight in Cabanaconde , Coporaque, Yanque or Chivay, depending If you want to do a hike during 2 or 3 hours.
On the first day, you will stop at: Pampa Cañahuas for watching vicuñas and alpacas, Patapampa, a natural viewpoint fron where you can watch the mountains. During the afternoon you will visit the hot springs or you will do a short hike to Uyo Uyo ruins, this is an easy hike which takes 2 and a half hours.
The second day, includes the stop at Cruz del Condor, the natural viewpoints and Yanque and Maca towns before the lunch time in Chivay and the return to Arequipa.
This tour can leave from Puno or Arequipa.
Special Colca Tour 2 Days
This private tour includes the visit to both sides of the Colca river bank and a hike to the Chimpa fortress, which was built in the middle of the mountains an allow us to see the best of the Colca Canyon views.
The night will be spent in Cabanaconde, an smaall town with notsomuch tourists around and located at just 20 minutes from La Cruz del Condor viewpoint.
2 Day Colca Canyon Trek
2 Day Trek is the most popular option between people who likes to hike. This trek is inside the canyon, and along the first day It will takes around 6 hours to arrive to Sangalle – Oasis, where we will spend the night.
On the second day, after 3 and a half hours walking up, we will arrive to Cabanaconde, then after breakfast in Cabanaconde, we will relax at Chacapi hot springs and stop for taking pictures on the way back to Arequipa.
3 Day Colca Canyon Trek
This trek follows the same route than the 2 days, the first night will be spent in San Juan de Chuccho, we just will hile for 3 hours, the second night is in Sangalle (3 hours walking). The third day we will walk up from Sangalle to Cabanaconde, where we will have breakfast and then we will relax in the hot springs.
Colca Canyon Lodges
Colibri Lodge (San Juan de Chuccho)
Colibri Lodge is located in San Juan de Chuccho, in Arequipa, Peru. This lodge is located within the Colca Canyon in a strategic place to enjoy nature and the splendor of one of the deepest canyons in the world. They have an impressive mountain view.
Bed linen and towels are provided at the property for an additional fee. A vegetarian or vegan buffet breakfast is served every morning.
In the surroundings you can go hiking.
La Posada de Gloria
Located in Tapay, 43 km from Colca Canyon, Posada de Gloria features a garden and views of the mountain. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen, with free WiFi throughout the property. This lodge has a terrace and niceviews, and guests can enjoy a meal at the restaurant or a drink at the snack bar.
Tropical Lodge (Sangalle)
Tropical Lodge is located in the depths of the majestic Colca-Sangalle Canyon that houses a Lodge surrounded by green areas with unparalleled views.
It has rooms (triple, double and matrimonial) of which some rooms have a private bathroom and hot water, while the others have a shared bathroom and a large swimming pool.
How to Get Cabanaconde From Arequipa
The best way to reach Cabanaconde from Arequipa is by tourist transport. This servcie leaves everyday at 3AM and includes the pick up time from the hotels and hostels in Arequipa. Along the way the transport stops in Chivay for having breakfast (included) and at Cruz del Condor viewpoint for watching condors and the Colca Canyon. The arrive time to Cabanaconde is at 9AM.
The price for Arequipa to Cabanaconde transport is $15 dollars. This transport requires the advance booking.
How to Get Arequipa From Cabanaconde
The best way to reach Arequipa to Cabanaconde by tourist transport is leaving at 9:15 from Cabanaconde, along the way the transport stops in Antahuilque viewpoint for taking pictures, Maca town, Chacapi hot springs for relaxing, Chivay town for having lunch, Patapamapa col for watching the mountains and Pampa Cañahuas for watchin vicuñas and alpacas.
Thc price for Cabanaconde to Arequipa transport is $13 dollars. This transport requires the advance booking.