Arequipa: Full Day in Colca

Arequipa, Peru’s second-largest city, serves as the starting point for a captivating full-day tour of Colca Canyon. At just $40, this adventure offers a chance to experience the canyon’s breathtaking beauty, from the awe-inspiring Cruz del Condor viewpoint to the soothing thermal baths of Chacapi. With a knowledgeable guide, scenic stops, and optional activities like kayaking or zip-lining, this tour promises an unforgettable day. But the true highlight may be what awaits beyond the canyon’s rim.

Key Points

• A full day tour in Colca Canyon, priced at $40 per person, with hotel pickup, transportation, English/Spanish guide, and breakfast included.
• Highlights include scenic viewpoints, a colonial church, the Cruz del Condor, and an opportunity to soak in thermal baths.
• Additional costs for tourist tickets, bathroom fees, and optional activities like buffet lunch, kayaking, or zip-lining.
• Tour not suitable for certain individuals and requires essentials like sunglasses, sun hat, and cash.
• Return journey includes stops at viewpoints and a national reserve, arriving back in Arequipa around 5:30 pm.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Overview and Pricing

The activity on offer is a full day experience in the magnificent Colca Canyon, which is priced from $40.00 per person.

Enjoy the grandeur of Colca Canyon with this full-day experience, priced from $40.00 per person.

There’s free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the option to reserve now and pay later.

The tour includes pickup from hotels, transportation, an English and Spanish-speaking guide, and breakfast.

Additional expenses cover tourist tickets, bathroom fees, and optional activities like lunch buffets.

This excursion isn’t suitable for wheelchair users, the visually impaired, or those over 95 years old.

Guests should bring essentials like sunscreen, water, and cash.

Itinerary and Highlights

Spanning 1 day, the excursion starts with pickup from hotels between 2:40 am and 3:20 am, followed by a 3-hour drive to Chivay.

The highlights include:

• Visiting the colonial church in Maca and the iconic Cruz del Condor viewpoint to witness the flight of condors above the 4,162-meter deep canyon.

• Exploring the scenic viewpoints of Wayrapunko, Antahuilque, and Choquetico.

• Enjoying a relaxing soak in the thermal baths of Chacapi.

• Optionally, adding kayaking or zip-lining activities.

• Feasting on a buffet lunch or à la carte meal in Chivay before the return trip to Arequipa.

Inclusions and Additional Expenses

The tour includes tourist transportation, an English and Spanish speaking guide, and breakfast.

Additional expenses include the tourist ticket, which ranges from S/ 20.00 for Peruvians to S/ 70.00 for foreigners. Bathrooms also cost S/ 15.00. Lunch buffets are available for S/ 40.00.

While the tour covers the core activities, travelers should budget for these extra costs. It’s important to bring cash to cover these additional expenses during the day-long excursion to Colca Canyon.

Important Information

It’s important to note that this full-day tour in Colca isn’t suitable for wheelchair users, visually impaired individuals, or people over 95 years of age.

Visitors should come prepared with:

Sunglasses, sun hat, swimwear, sunscreen, and cash for expenses are essential for this full-day Colca tour.

• Sunglasses to protect their eyes from the sun’s glare

• A sun hat to shield their heads

• Swimwear if they wish to enjoy the thermal baths

• Sunscreen to prevent sunburn

• Enough cash for additional expenses like tourist tickets and bathroom fees

Alcohol, drugs, and littering are strictly prohibited.

Participants should ensure their contact information, including a valid WhatsApp number, is provided to the tour company.

More Great Tours Nearby

Meeting Point and Availability

Participants can check the availability of this full-day tour in Colca Canyon and the starting times on the supplier’s website.

The meeting point is provided in Google Maps, allowing easy navigation. For last-minute reservations, travelers should check availability by email before booking.

The tour doesn’t accommodate wheelchair users, visually impaired people, or those over 95 years old.

Participants are advised to bring essentials like sunglasses, sun hats, swimwear, sunscreen, water, and cash.

Alcohol, drugs, and littering are strictly prohibited during the excursion.

Early Morning Pickup and Journey to Chivay

Beginning as early as 2:40 am, guests are picked up from their hotels and embark on the journey to Chivay, the main town in the Colca Canyon region.

The drive takes approximately 3 hours, during which the tour guide provides information about the canyon and surrounding landscape.

Along the way, guests:

• Pay the required tourist ticket to enter the Colca Canyon region

• Enjoy a breakfast stop in the town of Yanque

• Visit the colonial church in Maca for a brief 15-minute observation

• Take in the stunning views of the canyon and its depth of over 4,162 meters

• Prepare for the highlight of the day – the Cruz del Condor viewpoint.

Exploring the Wonders of Colca Canyon

After the early morning drive and breakfast, guests arrive at the renowned Cruz del Condor viewpoint, the highlight of the day’s activities.

Guests arrive at the renowned Cruz del Condor viewpoint, the highlight of the day’s activities, after an early morning drive and breakfast.

They’re treated to an awe-inspiring sight – the massive Andean condors soaring effortlessly above the canyon’s depths. The viewpoint offers unparalleled vistas of the Colca Canyon, which plunges over 4,162 meters deep.

Following this, the tour visits several other stunning vantage points, including Wayrapunko, Antahuilque, and Choquetico.

At 11:00 am, guests can relax in the thermal baths of Chacapi before enjoying a buffet lunch in Chivay.

The return journey offers additional stops to admire the breathtaking Andean landscape.

Optional Activities and Return to Arequipa

For those seeking additional adventure, the tour offers optional activities such as kayaking or zip-lining, which can be enjoyed for approximately one hour.

After the thermal bath, the tour will return to Arequipa with stops at:

• Andes viewpoint, showcasing the Hualca-Hualca, Sabancaya, and Ampato volcanoes

• National reserve for camelids and Andean birds

Participants can expect to arrive back in Arequipa around 5:30 pm.

Throughout the return journey, the guide will provide insights into the region’s natural and cultural wonders, ensuring a well-rounded and enriching full-day experience in Colca Canyon.

Since You Asked

What Is the Average Group Size for the Tour?

The tour group size is not specified in the provided information. However, it’s common for small group tours to accommodate around 10 to 15 participants, allowing for a more personalized experience. The exact group size may vary depending on demand and availability.

Are There Any Age Restrictions for Children?

The tour has age restrictions, with a minimum age of 6 years and a maximum age of 95 years. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. No infants or toddlers are permitted on the tour.

Can the Tour Be Customized to Include Specific Interests?

The tour can be customized to include specific interests, but additional activities like kayaking or zip-lining have an extra cost. Customers should check with the supplier about any customization options before booking.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?

The tour can be extended for an additional cost, though the standard duration is 1 day. Travelers can discuss options to customize the itinerary with their guide to accommodate specific interests or extend the tour length.

How Experienced Are the Tour Guides?

The tour guides are experienced, often bilingual in English and Spanish, and knowledgeable about the Colca Canyon’s history, wildlife, and geological features. They provide insightful commentary throughout the day to enhance the tour experience.

The Sum Up

Colca Canyon’s awe-inspiring landscapes and cultural experiences make it a must-visit destination near Arequipa. At just $40, this full-day tour provides an excellent value, with convenient hotel pickup, knowledgeable guides, and the opportunity to relax in thermal baths. Though additional expenses like tickets and lunch should be considered, the tour’s inclusions and optional activities ensure a memorable day in this breathtaking natural wonder.

You can check availability for your dates here: