Full Day
Colca
Up to 8 People
Adventure
Ease
with reservation
The Colca Canyon trek is not easy. The altitude and the steep climb in and out of the canyon make it a challenge. However, it is one of the best things to do in Peru offering stunning views and the chance to see the majestic Andean Condor; one of the largest birds in the world. There are a variety of tours available in Arequipa, but they differ in quality and activities. From one day tours that do not include the Colca Canyon trek to 3 day tours that include two nights inside the canyon.
In this post you can learn all about the Colca Canyon trek and some advice to consider when booking your Colca Canyon tour. “Is the colca canyon trek necessary?” “How many days do I need for the Colca Canyon trek?” “Can I do the Colca Canyon trek on my own?” Read this article to answer these and any other questions you may have.
Best Tours and Trekking in 1, 2, 3, or 4 day tours! We offer a great variety of Colca Canyon excursions and tours and hiking for travelling to the the Colca Canyon with fixed daily departures from Arequipa, Chivay, Puno or Cusco, in small groups and tailor made tours from one to four days.
In Arequipa region, the Colca Canyon is the second deepest canyon in the world. It is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. Colca has an elevation of 3,400m/11,155ft at it’s deepest point.
The Colca Canyon was formed by the erosion of volcanic rock caused by the Colca River. the Colca Valley and Canyon is located in Arequipa city in south Peru in the heart of the Andes.
Private tours to the Colca Canyon are very popular because it is considered as the second deepest canyon in the world. Trekking, adventure, rural or cultural tour will take you to discover the natural viewpoints of the Colca Canyon.
This is a popular Peru tourist destination for I’ts beautiful andean landscapes, condors flight, the impressive giant hummingbird, llamas, vicuñas and alpacas. Find the informations related to this natural wonder located in the Peru Andes, Perou Voyage offers escorted and organized tours to the Colca Canyon from Arequipa, Chivay, Cusco or Puno.
One of the main reasons that visitants travel to the City of Arequipa is to take a guided trip to the famous canyon (the second deepest canyon in the world), surpass by the Cotahuasi, also located in Peru.
The Colca is a must-see during your vacation in Peru, famous for epic andean viewpoints, great hiking, Condor spotting and hot springs.
Tour private and shared tour service:
Trekking into the Colca Canyon
Trekking in the Colca Canyon is difficult and these itineraries are specially designed for adventure travellers who want to go to the extra mile of the Colca Canyon.
The Trekking paths into the Colca Canyon have been used since the pre-inca period and are still used today by the local population. Treks can range from 2, 3 or 4 days.
Because the Colca is the world’s second deepest canyon in the world, a smidgeon shallower than near neighbor, the Cotahuasi, and twice as deep as the more famous Grand Canyon in the United States. Colca is replete with history, culture, ruins, tradition and customs.
“Colca” is the name of the canyon, river, and valley located in Caylloma province at approximately 100 miles northwest of Arequipa City. The province border Cusco and Puno, two important regions in the southern Andes.
The average distance from the peaks of the mountains to the river is 3,109 meters. This fact makes It one of the world’s deepest canyons. However Cotahuasi Canyon is a few hundred meters deeper.
The weather is the typical of the Andes.
Dry Season
Rainy Season
Temperature
Peru’s Colca is not only the second-deepest canyon in the world, but also one of the best destinations in South America for watching Andean Condors.
This is easily accessed by car from the colonial ‘White City’ of Arequipa.
Most visitors book on a tour from Arequipa, a beautiful colonial city with churches built from a white volcanic material called sillar.
While traveling from Arequipa you pass the Aguada Blanca National Vicuña Reserve, where you can see herds of vicuñas.
Also, you will watch viscachas, a native rodent that looks like rabbits. Then we will find the Patapampa Pass and the Mirador de los Volcanes in-route to the Valley.
Chivay is the main village from where we can access to the two sides of the Canyon, and is where most tours spend the night.
Colca is fertile and inhabited valley with pre-Columbian terraces and traditional Andean villages.
The Collagua and Cabana peoples who lived here for at least 2000 years, built an ingenious terracing system on the valley.
The smoking Sabancaya Volcano looms at 5976 meters is one of the most active volcanoes in Peru, next to the Sabanacay volcano is the Ampato at 6288 meters, where was found the famous ‘Ice Mummy Juanita’.
The River Colca descends from 3500 meters in Chivay reaching 2200 meters at Cabanaconde, the small, last village in the canyon.
On road from Chivay to Cabanaconde is located The Mirador Cruz del Condor, the best location to spot the andean condor.
The Andean condor is a national symbol not only of Peru, but of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador, and plays an important role in the folklore the Andean regions.
Considered the animal of the spirit world according to Incan cosmology. Visitors will be able to see the birds fairly close.
Many people choose to experience on a two-day trek. Be prepared, this is for those who love trekking. However, less enthusiastic trekkers can always a mule ride or take a short trail for accesing to the Oasis in Sangalle.
It doesn’t matter the way you choose to experience it, here you will see some of the most beautiful andean scenery in the world.
The most popular way to visit is on a full-day tour or a 2-3-4 day hike, organised from Arequipa, Puno, Chivay or Cusco. The best way to get from Arequipa is booking a tour which includes pick up from the hotel in Arequipa.
Most Colca tours start in Arequipa city, but is possible to start in Puno, Cusco or Chivay.
The tours include transport, accommodation, food and a guide.
However, if you’re not a fan of organised day tours and you prefer to travel independently without a tour guide and a group of tourists, then here’s a nice and easy way for you to travel from Arequipa via the lovely town of Chivay!
List of hotels in Colca Canyon: Colca Lodge, Belmond Las Casitas del Colca, Pozo del Cielo, Killawasi Lodge, Casa Andina Colca, Kuntur Wassi, La Granja del Colca, Tradicion Colca, La Casa de Mamayacchi, Kollawas Home Inn, Aranwa and Las Casitas del Colca.
Explore the sites that you will actually see along your tours.
Arequipa
Colca Canyon
Sam Corporations has flexible departure dates, willing to accommodate your needs and travel requirements as far as possible. We guarantee exclusive luxurious tours of the hidden gems of Peru, whilst providing the best quality and personalized service.
You can book confidently knowing we offer the best value for your money
Sam Corporations
Our company is 100% locally owned. We directly contribute to economic development and environmental sustainability in Peru.
The quality of our service is one of our most important values which demands all our effort, determination, and courage to be successful in what we are doing and the services we provide
We aim to have a positive impact in all the areas that we visit. Through our training sessions and social projects, we empower women, indigenous communities and children
Our groups never exceed 10 people, giving you a personalized tour in our small comfortable vans
Interested in visiting only specific destinations? No problem, all our packages can be fully customized to suit your budget and schedule. Contact our travel advisors to plan the most comprehensive trip of a lifetime.
We commit socially and culturally to the community and adapt our business strategies to the preservation of the environment
The full-day tour of Colca Canyon takes you on a magical journey through the Colca Valley. Hike up to the famous Cruz del Condor viewpoint for the most expansive views of the Colca Canyon and an out of this world sighting of the imposing Andean Condor. Later enjoy, a relaxing soak in the serene thermal baths close by. Visit an amazing National Park for interaction with llamas, alpacas, and Vicuñas. This comprehensive one-day tour gives you unparalleled views of the Colca Canyon and the valley. Experience incredible fauna and interact with amazing animals and the local people along the way.
Our classic 2-day Colca Tour is a journey that will take you from Arequipa city to the amazing Colca canyon. In this excursion you will discover a place rich in culture and traditions, breathtaking natural scenery, and diveerse wildlife like wild vicuñas, llamas and alpacas. In addition; you’ll get the rare opportunity to observe the spectacular gliding of the Andean Condor between the walls of the great canyon. Our classic Colca Tour 2 days is flexible, allowing you to finish the excursion with a return to Arequipa city or continuing to the City of Puno on Lake Titicaca. We offer also a pick up from Puno city in order that you join our Tour. This is an unforgettable tour you won’t want to miss.
The 2 day Colca Canyon Tour – Cañon de Colca in Spanish – offers travellers the opportunity to get up close and personal to countryside life in Peru, spot soaring Andean condors, bathe in secret thermal baths, uncover jaw-dropping vistas, stay in an oasis, and hike along dusty roads into the depths of one of the world’s deepest canyons.