Colca Canyon Trekking 2 Days

Colca Canyon Trekking 2 days

On this tour you will enjoy an impressive 2 day trekking tour through one of the deepest canyons in the world. Watching condors flying over the canyon will be something magnificent and hard to forget.
It is a famous destination for trekking. It is a habitat of the giant Andean condor, which is observed from viewpoints such as the Cruz del Condor. The canyon landscape encompasses a verdant valley and remote traditional villages with terraced agriculture that predated the Incas. The Colca River is popular for rafting.
Here we can disconnect from the city for at least a day.

Day 1: Arequipa - Chivay - Cruz del Cóndor - Sangalle

After an early morning pick-up (around 3:00-3:30 a.m.) from your hotel, head to Cabanaconde in the Colca Canyon. This is approximately a 6-hour drive from Arequipa, and on the way you will stop for breakfast. Continue to the Cruz del Condor for a panoramic view of the canyon and the famous Andean Condor. Arrive at the start of your hike and begin a downhill hike for approximately 3 hours from 3,300 to 2,100 meters above sea level into the canyon.

Upon arrival, have lunch and rest in San Juan de Chuccho. Continue your journey and pass through the towns of Cosñirhua and Malata. Walk deeper into the canyon until you reach Sangalle, the deepest part of the canyon and 1900 meters above sea level. Sangalle is a lush green oasis with a tropical microclimate and simple accommodations. Here you can enjoy the swimming pool after a long day of hiking. Enjoy dinner and spend the night here.

Day 2: Sangalle - Cabanaconde - Chivay - Arequipa or Puno

Depart early in the morning (around 5:00 a.m.) and start walking uphill for approximately 3 hours back to the town of Cabanaconde using torch lights for illumination. Enjoy spectacular views of the sunrise and have breakfast upon arrival in Cabanaconde.

Head towards Chivay, observing pre-Inca terraces, archaeological ruins and colonial villages along the way. Around noon, arrive at the hot springs. Optionally, soak in the hot springs and relax in 38 ° C waters. In Chivay, lunch at a local restaurant (not included).

After lunch, you will start your return to Arequipa. On the way, you will descend from 4830 to 2325 meters above sea level, passing through a national reserve and Pampa Cañahuas. This is a habitat for the four species of South American camelids (llama, alpaca, vicuña and guanaco). Arrive in Arequipa in the late afternoon and you will be dropped off next to the Santa Catalina Monastery.

If you choose the option to leave in Puno, you will leave Chivay after lunch. You will arrive around 6:45 p.m. in Puno. You will also stop at Pampa Cañahuas for excellent views of the local scenery.