Colca Canyon from Cusco – Puno – Arequipa 4 Days / 3 Nights
Duration
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Overview
This is one of the most amazing roads, going from the Andean Valley to the “Alti Plano” (high plateau) where Lake Titicaca is located. At 3856 m.a.s.l., Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the World. Its shores and islands, such as Amantani and Taquile, are home to the Aymaras and Quechuas, among Peru’s oldest peoples, who predate the Incas by a thousand years.
Embarking on the journey through the Altiplano to the kingdom of the Condors begins in the city of Puno. During this trip, you will be able to see incredible Andean scenery and gorgeous views of Arequipa’s volcanoes, adorned by Alpacas, Vicuñas, and the majestic Condor.
You will visit the famous lookout point “Cruz del Condor” in the Colca Canyon, an observation platform from which you can see the majestic flight of the Andean Condor in its natural habitat, as well as a visit to the most outstanding Hot Springs of Peru. At this fantastic natural place, you can relax after exploring the incredible Colca Canyon.
Full Itinerary
The service is provided in Buses equipped for Tourists field, seeking the best way to travel between Cusco and Puno, where the Passenger can enjoy various places of Magical charm and Ancestral History such as The Sistine Chapel of America or Andahuaylillas Chapel, The Imposing Temple of the god Wiracocha, The Majestic Paso de la Raya (Road Limit between Cusco and Puno – View of the Nevado Chimboya) and the Mythical Lithic Museum of the Pukara Culture.
Cusco: We will pick you up at 6:15 from your hotel
Check-in for boarding tickets and baggage is at 6:40 a.m.
Departure time: 7:00 a.m.
The Sistine Chapel of America, or Andahuaylillas Chapel
This church, which dates back to the 17th century, is also known as The Sistine of the Andes for the beauty of its murals, gold leaf work, and paintings from the Cusco school it houses.
IMPORTANT. The visit lasts 25 minutes. Filming or taking photos inside is not allowed. The entrance fee is S/. 15.00
Rakchi, also known as the Temple of the god Wiracocha, the supreme Inka deity, is a place where we will find the largest number of Colcas (Granaries) and also see magnificent adobe-stone buildings.
IMPORTANT. The visit lasts 40 minutes. We recommend wearing hats and using sunscreen. The entrance fee is S/ 20.00.
Sicuani. Lunch is a buffet included in the ticket price at the tourist restaurant LA PASCANA, which enjoys good prestige and is recognised for the quality of its chefs' seasoning. It has a strategic location on the outskirts of Sicuani. The buffet offers a diverse selection of national and regional cuisine, appetisers, fresh vegetables, side dishes, and a variety of desserts, as well as hot drinks (coca maté, coffee, or tea) included in the ticket price.
IMPORTANT. Lunch lasts 40 minutes. Cold drinks, such as water, soda, or beer, are not included in the buffet.
La Raya. The border between the cities of Cusco and Puno is at more than 4335 meters above sea level, where the famous snow-capped CHIMBOYA is located, from where the AMAZONAS River is born. Tourists can take photos of the landscape, and the visit lasts 5 to 7 minutes.
IMPORTANT. The visit time is between 7 and 10 minutes. We recommend wearing extra clothing and consuming coca tea to help prevent altitude sickness.
Pukara. This culture developed from 1600 BC to 400 AD and is located 106 km away. East of the city of Puno, in this museum, we can find ceramics and sculptures depicting zoomorphic figures, among them the famous sculpture of HATUNÑAQAC, which, in our times, would be translated as the supreme cutthroat.
IMPORTANT. The visit lasts 30 minutes. Filming or taking photos inside is not allowed. The entrance fee is S/ 18.00.
Puno. Arrive at their private bus station in Puno at Avenida Costanera 430
Accommodation Sola Plaza Hotel Puno
The tour begins at 07:45 am, when we will pick you up from your hotel (07:00 – 07:30 am), and transport you to the local city port, where you will be shipped to the islands by boat. On arrival, we will visit three of the islands, meeting their people who will explain their daily lives and deeply rooted customs.
Uros Floating Island
Located 35 minutes by boat from the port of Puno, the Uros Islands comprise a group of mostly reed islands, which are also used to build houses and boats. The inhabitants of the “Uros” are very friendly and cordial with visitors.
Taquile Island
Located four hours by boat from the port of Puno, Taquile is one of the favourite destinations for visitors, especially renowned for its beautiful scenery. While reaching the central square of the island, you can walk uphill for about an hour, then enjoy a delicious lunch and afterwards continue the walk downstairs (535 stone steps) back to the port of Taquile.
The tour takes a full day, starting with a visit to the Uros Islands, followed by Taquile Island, where you can enjoy the colourful clothing of its inhabitants, which makes Taquile famous and a cultural heritage of humanity.
Note: Please do not give candies to the kids on the islands! They appreciate oranges and other fruits, as it is impossible to grow them in these altitudes on the islands, and it will conserve both their teeth and the environment.
Accommodation: Sol Plaza Hotel Puno
On the first day, your adventure begins at 06:00 am when you will be picked up from your hotel in Puno. We will board our tour bus and head northwest, leaving behind the gorgeous scenery of Lake Titicaca.
Along the paved road, we will see many small towns as well as the beautiful lagoon Lagunillas, where we can explore trout farms and observe Andean flamingos among many Andean birds. After ascending the road, we will reach the Viscachani. We take a short break, stretch our legs, use the bathroom if needed, and enjoy a typical coca tea or coffee at the local restaurant. Afterwards, we will continue ascending a minor road until we reach the highest point of our trip, the Andes lookout point (4800 m/15,748 ft).
At the very top, we will get off the bus for a few minutes to enjoy the stunning landscape, including the great volcanoes Mismi, Misti, Chachani, Sabancaya (active), and Ampato. Later, we will drive downhill to the main town of the Colca Canyon, Chivay (3600 m/11.811 ft). We will stop at Chivay's main square and then take you to your hotel. At 3:00 pm, we will meet our travel mates, who started the Colca Canyon Classic Tour in Arequipa.
Afterwards, we bring you to the Hotel La Casa de Mama Yacchi, where you have some time to relax before joining a 30-minute walk to the Hot Springs. Here, you can enjoy the warm, natural waters (35°C/95ºF) in the beautiful outdoor surroundings of the vast mountains, the river, and even some local animals. After sunset, we return to the hotel and have dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel La Casa de Mama Yacchi
On the second day of our adventure, we will have breakfast very early in the morning and leave for the famous “Cruz del Condor”. Arriving there, we have plenty of time to enjoy the great view of the deep Canyon and (if the weather permits) the majestic Condor in its natural habitat.
After some time, our guide will take you for a short walk near the Canyon (approx. 1 hour). On our way back to Chivay, we’re going to visit the traditional village of Pinchollo and the “Antahuilque viewpoint,” where we can gaze at the wonderful 1,500-year-old terraces built by the Collaguas, an ancient culture before the Incas. We will also make a small stop at the lookout point of “Choquetico” with its hanging tombs. Then, we continued our trip to the small Andean community of Maca and the village of Yanque, home to the most beautiful church in the whole valley.
We will stop for Lunch in Chivay before heading back to Arequipa. Arriving there around 05:00 pm, we will transfer you to your hotel.
Included/Exclude
- Pick up from your hotel in Cusco and transfer to the bus station
- 24-hour support from the company owner
- Bilingual tour guide onboard and Guided tours in Andahuaylillas, Raqchi and Pukara.
- Onboard service of hot and cold drinks.
- Buffet lunch in the town of Sicuani.
- Comfortable reclining seats.
- Medicated oxygen. And a first aid kit.
- Internet on board WIFI. (Only in places with an internet signal, Cusco to Puno.)
- Transfer from the bus station to the hotel in Puno
- Pick up from your hotel in Puno
- Group boat transport
- Entrance fees to the Islands
- English-speaking guide
- Boat driver
- Tourist bus to Chivay
- Accommodation in Hotel Mamayacchi with breakfast (Optional: upgrade your accommodation in Chivay to Colca Lodge, Casa Andina, or Pozo del Cielo)
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Guided visit to the Cruz del Condor lookout point and the Andean villages located on the route
- Tourist bus to Arequipa
- Drop off at your hotel in Arequipa at the end of the tour
- Extra drinks and snacks
- Tips for a guide or driver
- Meals (Lunch and Dinner)
- Entrance ticket to Colca Canyon (70 Soles) and Hot Springs ( 10 Soles)
- Insurance of any kind
Recommendations, what to bring
- Backpack to carry personal items
- Sun protection: sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
- Water and snacks for the bout and buses
- Money for souvenirs
- Warm clothing for variable temperatures (especially at night)
- Camera and batteries
- Rain poncho and a good rain jacket (rain season)
- Toiletries
- Bathing clothes for the hot springs
What we need when you make a reservation
- Full name, as written on your passport(please include a scanned copy of your passport)
- Passport number
- Nationality
- Date of birth
- Tour departure date
- Send a deposit of 60% of the total price of your tour. (The remainder of your balance will be due upon your arrival in Cusco.) Payment can be made via Western Union, PayPal, ABN AMRO Bank in Holland, or securely and directly through our website by selecting your desired tour and clicking the BOOK NOW button.
Prices
Price per person US$425, based on two people.
A single person pays an additional US$50 per night.
Children under 12 receive a 30% discount on the Tour (when booking with Hotel La Casa de Mama Yacchi).
Upgrade your Hotel:
(double room, the addition of price per night is based on two persons)
Hotel Pozo del Cielo: +US$35 per person.
Hotel Casa Andina: +US$40 per person.
Hotel Colca Lodge: +US$95 per person.
“With every tour you book with Green Peru Adventures, you can request a free walking tour of Cusco’s mysterious and historical city, accompanied by one of our professional guides, who speaks several languages.”
We are looking forward to creating an unforgettable experience for you.
