An unforgettable experience awaits you on this 2-day trek through one of the deepest canyons in the world. Your guide will take you on a journey through the stunning landscapes of the Colca Canyon, home to the majestic Andean condor. You'll start your adventure with a drive from Arequipa to the town of Chivay. From there, it's a short hike to the Condor's Cross viewpoint, where you'll have the chance to see these magnificent birds in their natural habitat. Afterward, you'll continue your trek into the canyon and spend the night in a cozy bungalow. The next day, you'll hike back up to the top of the canyon and enjoy a refreshing dip in the hot springs before heading back to Arequipa. Splitting the trek into two days means you can take your time to fully enjoy the experience and make the most of the incredible views.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Private tourist transport
✔ Lunch
✔ Dinner
✔ Breakfast
✔ Pickup from your hotel and drop off close to the main square
✖ Entrance to the Hot Springs costs 15 soles (local currency).
Pickup Locations
1. El Portal de San Lazaro
2. Casa de Avila - Hotel & Jardin
3. Los Balcones de Moral y Santa Catalina
4. Mansion Riviera
5. La Casona Hotel Boutique
6. Hostal Maison Plaza
7. Portal Hotel
8. Casa Andina Select Arequipa Plaza
9. La Hosteria
10. Hostal D' Valdivia
11. Hotel La Casa de mi Abuela
12. La Fontana Hotel
13. Hotel Riviera Arequipa
14. La Plaza Arequipa Hotel Boutique
15. Hotel Illari
16. Las Torres de Ugarte
17. Hostal Guanakinn
18. Hotel Boutique La Plazuela
19. Tierrasur Hotel
20. Hostal San Luis
Additional Info: We pick up our travelers from their hotels. Therefore, the recommendation is to book your hotel in the city center of Arequipa.
Itinerary
Arequipa city - Chivay Village - Condor’s Cross - Sangalle
1
Historical Centre of the City of Arequipa
Pickup at your hotel in Arequipa. Direct transfer to Chivay village.
Duration: 0 minutes
2
Plaza de Armas de Chivay
We arrive in Chivay town around 7:30 am to have breakfast. This town is famed for its traditional houses and its colorful landscape.
Duration: 30 minutes
3
Condor's Cross
The condor's cross viewpoint is the best place in South America to see the Andean Condor flying. The Andean Condor Bird can weigh up to 12 kg with a wingspan of over 3 meters.
Duration: 30 minutes
4
Oasis Sangalle
Sangalle is a village at an altitude of approximately 1900 masl. You can enjoy the warm swimming pool to relax after a long day of hiking. We arrive at Sangalle at approximately 17:00 hrs. We have dinner and sleepovers at night in bungalows.
Duration: 11 hours
5
Colca Canyon
Between 3:00 and 3:30 hrs, we depart from Arequipa to Cabanaconde in the Colca Canyon, about a 6-hour drive. We stopped for breakfast in Chivay and continued to Condor's Cross, the best place to watch the Canyon and the famous Andean Condor birds.
From there, we continued for another 20 minutes by bus to start our trek downhill. We trek downhill for approximately 3 hours from 3300 masl to 2100 masl into the Canyon. Upon arrival, we have lunch and some time to rest in San Juan de Chuccho, a village with vegetation and fruit trees. From there, we continue to the small towns of Cosñirhua and Malata.
It's time to start hiking even further into the Canyon, this time into the deepest part of the trek to reach “Sangalle,” a village at an altitude of approximately 1900 masl. You can enjoy the warm swimming pool to relax after a long day of hiking. We arrive at Sangalle at approximately 17:00 hrs. At night, we have dinner and a sleepover at Cielo Azul Lodge.
Duration: 12 hours
Sangalle Oasis - Cabanaconde Town - Hot Springs - Chivay - Arequipa city
1
Hot Springs Chacapi
After breakfast in Cabanaconde, we go to the hot springs located close to Chivay village. The entrance costs 15 soles, and it's not included in the price. In the Hot Springs, you will find different pools with water temperatures from 30ºC to 60°C. Coming into the Hot Springs is optional but a pleasant experience.
Duration: 60 minutes
2
Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve
On the way back to Arequipa, we stopped at the reserve in Pampa Cañahuas to see Volcanos and camelids, such as Alpacas, Llamas, and Vicuñas. The stop is only 10 minutes, but you will see volcanos and camelids for over 1 hour.
Duration: 25 minutes
3
Colca Canyon
At 05:00 hrs, we start trekking uphill for approximately 3 hours to the town of Cabanaconde with the help of torch lights. This part of the trek can provide spectacular views as we trek during the sunrise. We have breakfast in Cabanaconde, and from there, we head to Chivay. On the way, we have a great view of pre-Inca terraces, some archaeological ruins, and colonial towns, amongst other views. Around noon, we arrive in Chivay at the hot springs (optional). In Chivay, we enjoy a typical local lunch if you want. In the afternoon, we have transportation back to Arequipa. On the way, we descend from 4830 masl to 2325 masl and pass through a national reserve and Pampa Cañahuas, which is a habitat for the four species of South American camelids (llama, alpaca, vicuña and guanaco). At the end of the afternoon, we arrive in Arequipa around 17:30 hrs, and we drop you off at Calle Santa Catalina, next to Santa Catalina Monastery.
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Additional info
• Service animals allowed
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• The minimum age that can participate is 7 years old and above.
