Colca Canyon Tours; Ultimate Travel Guide 2023

Why should I visit the Colca Canyon?

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.

Geography in the Colca Canyon

“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.

Colca Canyon Weather

The weather is the typical of the Andes.

Dry Season

• From May to November

Rainy Season

• From January to March

Temperature

• Daytime highs: 20°C (68°F) Night average: 10°C (50°F)
• During the day, temperatures vary with elevation. The lowest portions of the valley can get quite warm in the dry season, specially on hiking trails.

Altitude Sickness:

• Here are some things you can do to prevent yourself from getting altitude sickness
• Gradual acclimatization to altitude is important if you are traveling to high altitude areas Symptoms of “soroche” can include fatigue, headache, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing and insomnia
• The mountain sickness can progress to high altitude pulmonary edema or high altitude cerebral edema, both of which constitute life-threatening medical emergencies
• Take time to rest much more than usual
• Avoid alcohol and smoking and eat lightly
• Make sure you are drinking enough water
• Coca leaves (tea and chewing) are good for helping you to adapt to the altitude.

The Best Place to See Condors in Peru

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.

How to visit the Colca Canyon Tours?

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.