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Perfect for travelers with limited time who want to see the highlights of Colca Canyon in one day.
This Colca Canyon full-day tour from Arequipa takes you deep into the Andes mountains, where you’ll experience dramatic landscapes, traditional villages, and one of the deepest canyons in the world in a single, well-organized day.
Travel across the Andean highlands, spot wildlife in the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, and reach the famous Cruz del Condor viewpoint, the best place to observe Andean condors flying above the canyon.
Along the way, visit local villages such as Yanque and Maca, and stop at scenic viewpoints like Antahuilque and Wayrapunko for breathtaking panoramic views of the Colca Valley.
This is a long but rewarding experience (approximately 14–15 hours), ideal for active travelers who want to maximize their time and discover the best of Colca Canyon in one day.
⚠️ High demand — book in advance to secure your spot!
Colca Canyon Full Day Tour from Arequipa – Condors, Hot Springs & Andean Landscapes
Your Colca Canyon full-day tour begins very early in the morning with pickup from your hotel in Arequipa, heading deep into the Andes mountains. This is the ideal option for travelers with limited time who still want to experience one of the most impressive landscapes in Peru in just one day.
As you travel across the high Andean plateau, you’ll pass through the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where it’s common to see vicuñas, alpacas, and llamas in their natural habitat. The journey continues up to Patapampa (around 4,800 m), the highest point of the route, offering spectacular panoramic views of volcanoes and the Andes.
After a short stop for breakfast in Chivay, you’ll continue towards the highlight of the tour: the famous Cruz del Condor viewpoint. This is the best place in the Colca Canyon to observe Andean condors flying over the canyon, especially during the morning hours.
The experience continues with visits to traditional villages such as Yanque and Maca, where you can appreciate local culture, colonial churches, and agricultural terraces that have been used since pre-Inca times. Along the route, you’ll also stop at natural viewpoints like Antahuilque and Wayrapunko, offering breathtaking views of the canyon landscape.
- Breakfast in Chivay
- Lunch included in the Colca Valley
- Optional visit to hot springs (La Calera)
In the afternoon, you’ll begin the return journey to Arequipa, once again crossing the Andean highlands with scenic stops along the way, arriving in the city at approximately 5:00 PM after a long but unforgettable day.
Colca Canyon Full Day Tour Price
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| DEPARTURES | TOUR | PRICE |
| Daily departures | Full Day Tour | Backpacker Service $60 USD ``` Private VIP Service 2 participants: $175 USD per person |
Itineraries
2:30 AM - 3 AM Early Hotel Pickup in Arequipa
Your bilingual guide and professional driver will pick you up directly from your hotel or hostel in central Arequipa. Board our comfortable, reclining-seat tourist sprinter equipped with warm blankets and medical oxygen. Settle in for a peaceful early morning drive heading north through the Andean foothills toward the Colca Valley.
6:30 AM - 7 AM Breakfast in Chivay (Capital of Colca Valley)
Arrive in the picturesque Andean town of Chivay (3,635 m / 11,925 ft). Enjoy a freshly prepared continental breakfast including hot Andean coffee, rich hot chocolate, fresh bread, butter, seasonal fruit jam, scrambled eggs, and fresh coca/muña tea to aid morning altitude acclimatization.
7:00 AM – 8:30 AM Scenic Drive along the Canyon Rim: Yanque, Achoma & Maca
Drive deeper into the canyon along winding mountain roads. Marvel at thousands of ancient pre-Inca agricultural terraces carved into the canyon walls by the Collagua and Cabana civilizations over 1,500 years ago, still actively cultivated today.
8:30 AM – 9:15 AM Mirador Cruz del Condor – Prime Condor Sighting Window
Arrive at the famous Mirador Cruz del Condor, perched 1,200 meters above the canyon floor. Walk along the scenic clifftop pathway. Between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM, thermal air currents warm the canyon walls, prompting Andean Condors (wingspans up to 3.2 meters / 10.5 ft) to spiral majestically upward right in front of your camera lenses.
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Cultural Stops: Pinchollo Viewpoint & Historic Maca Town
On the return journey, pause at the Antahuilque and Wayrapunko viewpoint to admire the scale of the valley and miniature stone model terraces and the andean terraces. Visit the colonial village of Maca, famous for its whitewashed church of Santa Ana and local artisans. Optional tasting of the legendary Colca Sour (made with local Sanki cactus fruit).
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Chacapi Thermal Baths in Yanque (Relaxation in Volcanic Waters)
Cross the Yanque bridge to the Chacapi Thermal Springs. Immerse yourself in open-air stone pools with water temperatures between 36°C and 38°C (97°F–100°F), naturally rich in minerals and surrounded by towering canyon rock walls.
12:45 PM – 01:30 PM Buffet Lunch in Chivay
Return to Chivay for a delicious Andean buffet lunch at a vetted restaurant. Choose from alpaca steak, trout fresh from the Colca River, pastel de papa, quinoa salads, vegetables, and Peruvian desserts.
2:45 PM – 3:30 PM Mirador de los Volcanes (Patapampa Pass – 4,910 m)
Ascend the highest vehicular mountain pass on the route: Patapampa Pass at 4,910 meters (16,109 ft). Step out for stunning 360-degree views of the Western Cordillera, including the snow-capped peaks of Sabancaya (active volcano emitting smoke plumes), Ampato, and Hualca Hualca.
3:55 PM – 4:30 PM Pampa Cañahuas & Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve
Drive through the protected Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve. Pause along the highway to photograph herds of graceful wild vicuñas (Peru’s national animal whose wool produces the world’s most expensive fiber), as well as domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on high-altitude ichu grass.
5:30 PM Arrival in Arequipa
Arrive back in Arequipa’s historic center. Passengers are dropped off to the hotels, in time for an evening dinner in the White City.
- English-Speaking tour guide
- Tourist bus Arequipa to Colca Canyon
- Entrance Fee to the Colca Canyon
- Meals: 1 breakfast – 1 buffet lunch
- Entrance fee La Calera thermal water
- Beverages
- Tips
The tour starts very early, between 2:30 and 3:00 AM, with pickup from your hotel in Arequipa.
The total duration is approximately 14–15 hours, returning to Arequipa in the afternoon.
Yes, we visit the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, the best place to see Andean condors flying over the canyon (april to september).
Yes, the Colca Canyon tourist ticket is included.
Yes, the tour is suitable for most travelers as it does not include long hikes, but altitude should be considered.
We recommend warm clothing for early morning temperatures, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a camera. The Colca Valley sits at high altitude, so layered clothing is advisable.
Yes, it is possible to finish the Colca Canyon Full Day Tour in Puno instead of returning to Arequipa. This option is ideal for travelers continuing their journey toward Lake Titicaca. After visiting Cruz del Cóndor and exploring the Colca Valley, the route continues across the Andean plateau toward Puno. This allows you to maximize travel time while enjoying scenic high-altitude landscapes. Advance booking is recommended for this alternative drop-off.
