Colca Canyon Day Trip: From Arequipa to Puno

The Colca Canyon day trip is an opportunity to witness the stunning natural beauty of Peru’s Andes region. Departing from Arequipa, the tour immerses travelers in the region’s rich cultural heritage, offering visits to charming colonial towns and a chance to relax in thermal baths. With the chance to spot the majestic Andean condor, this is a thrilling adventure that concludes at the serene Lake Titicaca. Whether you’re seeking breathtaking landscapes or culture, this day trip promises an unforgettable experience.

Good To Know

• The Colca Canyon day trip departs from Arequipa and covers around 288 kilometers, with a duration of 16 hours and pricing starting at $62.00 per person.
• The itinerary includes visits to colonial towns, thermal baths, and wildlife viewing opportunities, with a final arrival in Puno around 7:00 PM.
• The tour offers culture experiences, such as tasting local drinks and interacting with locals to learn about their customs and way of life.
• Inclusions cover tourist mobility, hotel pickup, an official tour guide, complimentary breakfast, and round-trip transfer from Colca to Puno.
• The tour provides an opportunity to visit Lake Titicaca, known for its floating islands and communities, after the Colca Canyon exploration.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview and Pricing

The Colca Canyon Day Trip departs from Arequipa and takes travelers to Puno, covering a distance of approximately 288 kilometers.

This 16-hour tour is priced from $62.00 per person, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Flexible booking allows customers to reserve now and pay later.

The tour includes hotel pickup, an official tour guide, breakfast, and transportation to Puno. Entrance fees to the Colca Canyon and optional thermal baths are additional costs.

The tour offers an excellent opportunity to explore one of Peru’s natural wonders.

Itinerary Highlights

The Colca Canyon Day Trip begins with pickup from hotels in Arequipa between 02:30 to 03:00 AM, ensuring an early arrival at the iconic Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint by 08:30 AM.

Travelers will then visit quaint colonial towns like Pinchollo, Maca, and Yanque, experiencing the region’s traditional culture, local drinks, and abundant wildlife.

After visiting the thermal baths of Chacapi at 11:30 AM, the group will have lunch in Chivay at 12:30 PM.

The return trip includes stops at a volcano viewpoint, Tocrapampa wetlands, and Pampa Cañahuas for more wildlife viewing before arriving in Puno around 7:00 PM.

Arrival in Puno

After the long journey, the tour culminates with arrival in Puno around 7:00 PM.

Travelers will have the opportunity to visit Lake Titicaca, one of Peru’s most iconic destinations. This famous high-altitude lake straddles the border with Bolivia and is known for its floating islands, traditional Quechua and Aymara communities, and stunning natural beauty.

Depending on time and energy levels, guests can explore the lake’s shores, visit local communities, or simply take in the serene views.

The day’s long itinerary comes to a close as the tour group arrives at their final destination in Puno.

Inclusions

The Colca Canyon day trip includes several key elements to provide a comprehensive and hassle-free experience.

These include:

1. Tourist mobility, hotel pickup, and an official tour guide who can provide commentary in both Spanish and English.

2. A complimentary breakfast and round-trip transfer from Colca to Puno.

3. Entrance tickets to the Colca Canyon and optional thermal baths, with varying prices for foreigners, nationals, and Latin American visitors.

The trip also provides the flexibility of allowing visitors to check availability for their preferred start time and offers additional services not explicitly mentioned in the inclusions.

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Additional Information

Customers can check availability for their preferred start times on the tour’s booking platform.

The meeting point for the day trip is available on Google Maps, making it easy for participants to find the starting location.

While the tour includes many of the key sights and experiences, services not mentioned in the inclusions section aren’t covered. Travelers should review the details carefully to understand what’s and isn’t provided.

It’s important for travelers to review the tour details carefully to understand what’s included and what’s not covered in the itinerary.

The tour offers flexibility, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the ability to reserve now and pay later.

Pickup and Visit Times

The Colca Canyon Day Trip begins with pickup from hotels in Arequipa between 02:30 to 03:00 AM.

The tour then heads to the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, where visitors can see one of the deepest canyons and the majestic Andean condors by 08:30 AM.

The trip also includes stops in Pinchollo, Maca, and Yanque, where visitors can explore colonial churches and enjoy breathtaking viewpoints.

The tour also includes a visit to the thermal baths of Chacapi at 11:30 AM, followed by lunch in Chivay at 12:30 PM.

Cultural Experiences

Along with the natural wonders, the Colca Canyon Day Trip also allows visitors to experience the traditional culture of the region. Travelers can sample local drinks like the Colca Sour, observe colonial architecture in villages, and enjoy the vibrant cultural heritage. The tour showcases the diversity of the Colca Valley, as outlined in the table below:

| Activity | Description |

| — | — |

| Local Drinks | Taste the Colca Sour, a traditional cocktail made with pisco, lime, and syrup |

| Colonial Churches | Admire the colonial architecture and religious art in towns like Pinchollo, Maca, and Yanque |

| Traditional Culture | Interact with locals and learn about their customs, dress, and way of life in the Andes |

Wildlife Viewing Opportunities

The Colca Canyon Day Trip offers an array of opportunities to spot diverse wildlife.

The Colca Canyon Day Trip offers an array of opportunities to spot diverse wildlife.

As you journey through the stunning landscapes, keep an eye out for:

1. Majestic Andean condors, the world’s largest flying birds, soaring gracefully over the canyon’s depths.

2. Vicuñas, the wild camelids of the Andes, grazing peacefully on the high-altitude grasslands.

3. A variety of bird species, from hummingbirds to flamingos, thriving in the diverse habitats along the way.

This wildlife-rich experience is a highlight of the Colca Canyon adventure, allowing you to witness the natural wonders of this remarkable region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?

The tour doesn’t provide meals, so you can bring your own food and drinks. However, lunch is included, and there are opportunities to purchase snacks and drinks during the trip.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Stay in Puno?

Yes, there’s an option to extend your stay in Puno. The tour ends in Puno around 7 PM, so you can choose to stay longer and explore Lake Titicaca on your own after the day trip.

What Is the Dress Code for the Tour?

The tour doesn’t have a strict dress code, but comfortable, layered clothing suited for outdoor activities is recommended. Bring sun protection, sturdy shoes, and warm layers, as the weather can be variable at the high elevations.

Are There Any Age Restrictions or Requirements for Children?

There are no specific age restrictions or requirements for children on the tour. Families with children of all ages are welcome to participate. Infants may accompany their parents at no additional cost.

Do I Need to Bring Any Specific Equipment or Gear?

You don’t need any specialized equipment for this tour. Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and layers of clothing are recommended. The tour provides all necessary transportation and entrance tickets.

The Sum Up

The Colca Canyon Day Trip from Arequipa to Puno offers a comprehensive adventure through stunning Andean landscapes and cultural highlights. Featuring hotel pickup, breakfast, an official guide, and concluding at the picturesque Lake Titicaca, this seamless tour provides travelers with a well-rounded experience of the region’s natural beauty and traditional heritage. With a focus on wildlife viewing, thermal baths, and charming colonial towns, this day trip is an excellent way to explore the wonders of southern Peru.

You can check availability for your dates here: