Colca Canyon from Arequipa – Puno – Cusco 4 days / 3 nights
Duration
From
Overview
This tour is a fantastic way to discover the amazing kingdom of the Condors in one of the deepest canyons on the planet. During this journey, 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, where you will observe the Andean Condor flight in its natural habitat.
Enjoy and relax in the most outstanding Hot Springs in Peru, and spend one night in the city of Puno, the capital of Peruvian folklore, on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
Leaving Alti Plano (high plateau) and a descent on a tourist bus to the Inca valley, arriving in Cusco, the capital of the Inca empire, passing by interesting sites and towns
Full Itinerary
Your journey begins at 7:15 to 7:45 am when a private bus picks you up from your hotel. We will take the road to Yura, heading towards the beautiful Colca Valley. You will travel along this road, which is half asphalted and half unfinished sand, for 4 hours towards your first night’s destination. The 4-hour trip is not direct and leads us through some of the local area’s most important places! The first stop will be at the National Reserve of Agua Blanca and Salinas, a place where you can observe the famous vicuñas and the great volcanoes of Arequipa.
Before approaching the National Reserve of “Pampa Cañahuas”, we will make a short stop to observe the wild Vicuñas (one of the four types of American camels) in their natural habitat. At this point, we will be at about 3400 m.a.s.l. Moving on, we will arrive at the “Pata Wasi” (Pata=high, Wasi=home), an Andean community at the opposite border of the reserve.
We will then continue our journey to our third stop, the restaurant El Chino. Here, you can appreciate the ”stone wood” formations, use the bathrooms, and enjoy a coca tea, which is very good for your stomach and the altitude.
From here, we will pass “Tocra”, a high plain at 4500 meters, where we will observe migrant birds at stunning lakes and get pictures of the “Antiplano” with its Llamas and Guanacos. The highest point of our tour will be “Pata Pampa” at 4820 meters, from where we can observe the volcanoes Ampato, Sabancaya, Hualca-Hualca, Misti (the source of the Amazon River), and the “Cordillera Chila”. As we approach the town of Chivay, we will enjoy some spectacular views of the multicoloured terraces of the Colca Valley.
Upon arriving in Chivay, we will have lunch, followed by some free time to explore the local market. Afterwards, we bring you to Hotel la Casa de Mama Yachi, in Coropique town, on the other side of the Colca Valley, where you can relax before joining a 30-minute walk or taking the car to the Hot Springs. Here you can enjoy the warm natural waters (35°C / 95ºF) in the outdoor pools, surrounded by mountains, on the shores of the Colca River. After sunset, we return to the hotel and have dinner.
(In case you stay in a different hotel, the tour guide will coordinate your afternoon activities and pick you up the next morning. Colca lodge has its host spring )
Accommodation: Hotel La Casa de Mama Yachi
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 1500-year-old terraces constructed by the Collaguas, an ancient culture before the Incas’ time. 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, which boasts the most beautiful church in the whole valley.
We will stop for Lunch in Chivay before heading to Puno, where we'll cross the breathtaking scenery of the Altiplano and leave behind the stunning views of the Colca Canyon. On our way, we continue ascending a minor road until we reach the highest point of our trip, the lookout point of the Andes (4800 m/15,748 ft). At the very top, we will get off the bus for a few minutes and enjoy the stunning landscape with the great volcanoes, including Mismi, Misti, Chachani, Sabancaya (active), and Ampato.
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. Following an ascending road, we will then reach the Viscachani. We have a short break and stretch our legs, use the bathroom if needed, and drink a typical coca tea or coffee at the local restaurant.
Later on, we will drive through the national reserve park of the Peruvian Altiplano to finally reach the beautiful city of Puno, close to the majestic Titicaca Lake.
Accommodation: Sol 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 to us their daily life and deeply rooted customs.
Uros Floating Island
Located 35 minutes by boat from the port of Puno, the Uros Islands comprise a group of islands mostly made of reed, which is also used to make houses and boats. The inhabitants of the “Uros” are very friendly people who are 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 a visit to Taquile Island, where you can enjoy the colourful clothing of its inhabitants, which makes Taquile famous and a cultural heritage of mankind.
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
The service is provided in Buses equipped for Tourists field, seeking the best way to travel between Puno – Cusco, 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.
We will pick you up at 6:15 from your hotel and bring you to the private Bus Terminal Avenida Costanera 430. Boarding and luggage check-in times are at 6:30 a.m. Departure time: 7:00 a.m.
Museum Litico Puka Pukara. This is a culture that developed from 1600 BC to 400 AD, located 106 km away. East of the city of Puno, in this museum, we can find ceramics and sculptures representing 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 payment for the right to enter is S/ 15.00.
La Raya. The border between the cities of Cusco and Puno is situated at an altitude of more than 4,335 meters above sea level, where the famous snow-capped Chimborazo is located, from where the Amazonas River originates. Where tourists can take photos of the landscape, the visit lasts 5 to 7 minutes
IMPORTANT. The visit time lasts between 7 and 10 minutes. We recommend wearing extra clothing/consumption of coca tea to counteract the soroche.
Sicuani. Lunch is a buffet and is included in the price of the ticket at the tourist restaurant LA PASCANA, which enjoys good prestige and is recognised for the good seasoning of the chefs. It is strategically located on the outskirts of the town of Sicuani. The buffet offers a diverse selection of national and regional cuisine, appetisers, fresh vegetables, side dishes, and a variety of desserts, along with hot drinks (Coca-Cola, 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.
Raqchi. Also known as the Temple of the god Wiracocha, who was the supreme Inka deity, this place features the largest number of Colcas (Granaries) and magnificent adobe stone buildings.
IMPORTANT. The visit lasts 40 minutes. We recommend wearing hats and sunscreen. The payment for the right of entry is S/ 20.00.
Andahuaylillas (sixteen chapels of America). It is a church that dates back to the 17th century—also known as the Sistine of the Andes for the beauty of its murals, the gold leaf work, and the paintings from the Cusco school that it houses.
IMPORTANT. The visit lasts 25 minutes. Filming or taking photos inside is not allowed. The payment for the entry fee is S/. 18.00
We are arriving at Cusco around 5 pm.
Included/Exclude
- Pick-up from your Hotel in Arequipa
- 24-hour-support from the company owner
- Bilingual Tour Guide
- Tourist bus to Chivay
- Accommodation in Hotel La Casa de Mama Yachi with breakfast
- (Optional: upgrade your accommodation in Chivay to Colca Lodge, Casa Andina, or Pozo del Cielo)
- Guided visit to the Cruz del Condor lookout point and the Andean villages located on the route
- Tourist bus to Puno
- Drop off at your hotel in Puno
- Accommodation at Sol Plaza Hotel Puno, with breakfast for 2 nights
- Pick up from your hotel in Puno
- Full-day tour of Titicaca Lake
- Bus to Cusco
- Comfortable reclining seats.
- Guided tours in Rachi Pukara and Andahuaylillas
- Onboard service of hot and cold drinks.
- Buffet lunch in the town of Sicuani.
- Medicated oxygen. And a first aid kit.
- Internet on board WIFI. (Only in places with an internet signal. Puno -Cusco)
- 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
- Warm clothes for the night and early morning
- 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 it is written in 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 Arequipa) Payment may be made via *Western Union, PayPal, ABN AMRO Bank in Holland or securely and directly through our website by choosing your desired tour and clicking on the BOOK NOW button.
Prices
Price per person: US$395
Price is based on two people.
Single person pays +US$40 per night.
Children under 11 years get a 20% discount on the Tour (whilst 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$25 per person.
Hotel Casa Andina: +US$30 per person.
Hotel Colca Lodge: +US$90 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.
