Colca Canyon Tour Classic 2D

The Colca Canyon Tour 2D Description

The Colca Canyon is, to be said, the second deepest canyon of the world. Some people though dare to say not even the deepest of Peru. Even so, with its max height difference of 3300 meters a stunning piece of natural art one can but consider in awe. Even among the Peruvian sceneries, the landscapes of the Colca Valley are standing out majestically. More so when able to spot the biggest flying marvel in the world, the Condor. This giant can be often seen soaring on the thermal winds guided through the canyon.

On this tour, you will witness the small rural communities that have fought and persisted in this barren scenery, still living by their traditional lifestyle. Astounding pre-Inca historical sites will be yours to walk and experience. You will visit (and be able to enjoy) hidden hot springs, amidst one of the world’s most impressive landscapes on this 2 day trip through the dwarfing impressions the Colca canyon will drop on you.

Also if you would like to add an extra day in the Colca Valley, check the Add-on service we offer a half-day activity at a local farmer home, sharing with this family daily activities.

Tour Highlights:

• Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve
• Highest point Patapampa (4,910 meters)
• Town of Chivay
• Town of Coporaque
• visit the hot springs
• Cruz del Condor viewpoint
• Short hikes during the tour
• Yanque town

Colca Canyon tour Classic 2D Itinerary

FIRST DAY – Altiplano volcanoes and Colca Valley Terraces

Morning

We will depart at 7:30 am from Arequipa, driving 160 km to the town of Chivay, the capital of the Province of Caylloma. At the beginning of our excursion, we will enjoy the majestic views of the Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu volcanoes before approaching the National Reserve of “Salinas y Aguada Blanca”, where our transportation will make a short stop to observe the wild Vicuñas (one of the 4 types of American camels) in its natural habitat. At this point, we will be about 4,000 meters above sea level. Moving on we will arrive at “Alto Sumbay”, an Andean community at the opposite border of the reserve.

Here you might enjoy the natural formation of rocks, especially the view to the backside of the Misti and Chachani volcanoes. To prevent altitude sickness we will have an original Andean “Mate de Coca” drink or another hot drink in a rustic restaurant on the road (service of bathrooms are here available).

Continuing on the road we will pass “Tocra”, a high plain at more than 4,400 meters, where we will observe lakes with wild birds and get pictures of the “Altiplano” with its Llamas and Alpacas. The highest point of our tour will be “Pata Pampa” (Pata=high, Pampa=land) located at 4,910 meters, where we’ll observe the volcanoes Ampato, Sabancaya, Hualca-Hualca, Mismi (the source of the Amazon River), and the “Cordillera de Chila”. When we are getting close to the town of Chivay (3,651 meters) we will start to wonder at the spectacular multicolor view of the terraces of the Colca valley.

We keep our drive until Coporaque town and visit the Lodge La Casa de Mamayacchi, where we will have our lunch (the cost of lunch is not included in the program).

Afternoon

After lunch, your guide will invite you to a short walk through Coporaque and its surroundings (this walk takes around 1 hour and is optional).

We’ll come back to our transportation and visit a natural “hot springs”, where we will enjoy a relaxing bath (entrance fee and personal towels to the baths are not included).

And finally, after this exciting day, we will bring you to your hotel or lodge.

SECOND DAY – Cruz del Condor and Choquetico’s hanging tombs

After having our breakfast very early in the morning we will leave for the famous “Cruz del Condor” point where, when we arrive, we will have enough time to have an enjoyable view of the deep of the Canyon and if the weather permits; majestic pictures of the flight of the Condors.

We will coordinate a time, where after our guide will take you for a short walk near the Canyon (1-hour approx.) On the way back to Chivay we’re going to visit the traditional village of Pinchollo and the “Antahuilque viewpoint”, where 1,500-year-old terraces can be observed. Also, we will make a stop at the look-out point of “Choquetico” with its hanging tombs “Tumbas Colgantes“, and take a look at the Litomaqueta, a model of the canyon terraces carved in a rock. We will continue visiting Maca, an Andean community that experienced an earthquake in November of 1991 and the village of Yanque with the most beautiful church in the valley.

Also, you will have the possibility to have lunch in Chivay town (Cost of Lunch is not included in the program) and return to Arequipa city.

Option with extra charge: We offer as an extra option a transfer from Chivay town to Puno city on Lake Titicaca – (Additional cost)

Colca Canyon tour Classic 2D Price in USD – Group Tours

• Only Services (no accommodation): $65.00 (Guiding services and Transportation)
• With Accommodation

Guiding service, transport, and Hotel according to the one you could request.

Note: We charge some extra fee for picking services from some hotels located away from the center of Arequipa if you plan to take just guiding and transportation service let us know so we can give you the specific information, e-mail us to info@coclatours.com 

The Program includes:

• Tourist transportation (not older than 5 years)
• English guide.
• Accommodation in selected hotel + Breakfast buffet (if selected)
• assistance 24/7.

The Program does not include:

• Tourist ticket to the Colca Valley (About $24, P.P)
• Excursions not mentioned in this program
• Tips, meals (lunch and dinner)
• Entrances to the hot springs, towels, beverages and/or other extras.
• Money transfer fee

Extension:

Colca 3 days sharing the half-day with a Villager. See ADD-ONs

• *Transfer or pick from Puno city can be added to the program (additional cost)

One extra night to share with a family in the Colca Canyon

Short description of the add-on service

Half-day experience at the house of a local family participating in daily activities.

On day 2

After lunch you will have time for personal activities; relax in Lodge or visit again the hots springs. (Free time for optional activities).
Overnight.

Third-Day: After breakfast at your hotel a Coporaque villager will take you to his home and will plan together with you the work to be done this morning. We cannot exactly define what this day will look like as it depends on the
season and weekday. However, the normal activities run among others from support in the fields, herding animals, the preparation of land for sowing, or harvesting. Around mid-day, your host will accompany you on your way back to your hotel to pick up your luggage and then continue towards Chivay.

Please note: Local people do not speak English, so be prepared to use at least some Spanish words along with your hands.

Lunch in Chivay (not included in your program). After lunch, you will join your Colca Tour group and return to Arequipa city. You will arrive in Arequipa at about 04:00 PM and will be transferred to your hotel.