Colca Canyon Three Day Trek

Our adventure begins very early. Between 02:45 a.m. and 03:15 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel in downtown Arequipa to start an approximately 3-hour journey to the picturesque town of Chivay, where we will enjoy a comforting breakfast.

After a short rest, we will continue our journey towards the iconic Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint. We will stay at this imposing place for about 30 minutes, an ideal time to admire the stunning depth of the canyon and delight in the majestic flight of the Andean Condor in its natural habitat.

Subsequently, we will move to the Pampa San Miguel viewpoint, the official starting point of our trekking. From here, we will appreciate the magnitude of the route before beginning the 3-hour descent to the bottom of the Colca Canyon. During the journey, we will cross a suspension bridge over the Colca River and complete a short uphill section to reach the traditional village of San Juan de Chuccho. Here, we will enjoy a fresh, local lunch. In the afternoon, you will have free time to explore the area, see the local fruit trees and medicinal plants. The day will culminate with a delicious dinner and an overnight stay at the campsite.

After enjoying an energizing breakfast, we will resume our trek through the heart of the Colca Canyon. On this section of the trail, we will visit the traditional villages of Cosñirhua and Malata, perfect places to learn about local customs and area agriculture, before beginning the final descent towards the famous Sangalle Oasis.

We will arrive at the oasis at approximately 12:30 p.m.. Upon arrival, we will enjoy a restorative lunch and proceed with the room distribution so you can rest and relax. In the afternoon, you will have free time to enjoy a refreshing moment in the natural water pools, surrounded by an imposing inter-Andean landscape and palm trees. The day concludes with a group dinner and an overnight stay in the charming oasis bungalows.

Our final journey begins at 05:00 a.m.. In prior coordination with the guide, we will start the challenging, approximately 3-hour ascent towards the town of Cabanaconde. The trail climbs in a zigzag pattern and features cobbled sections until reaching the cross viewpoint, the meeting point where the group can rest and take photos with an impressive panoramic view of the sunrise over the canyon. From there, we will take a short, flat walk towards the town's main square to enjoy a well-deserved breakfast.

After breakfast, we will board our transport bound for the town of Chivay. On the way, we will make strategic stops, starting with the Antahuilque Viewpoint, ideal for appreciating the valley's imposing pre-Inca terraces. We will also visit the traditional village of Maca, famous for the beautiful architecture of its colonial church and its colorful local craft fairs.

Upon arriving in Chivay, we will visit the comforting Hot Springs, whose thermo-medicinal pools average 38°C and are perfect for relaxing muscles after the trek. We will have one hour of free time here before heading to the restaurant for lunch (on the client's account).

In the afternoon, we will begin the return journey to the city of Arequipa. Along the way, we will stop at Patapampa, the highest point of the route at 4,800 m.a.s.l., known as the Viewpoint of the Andes for its spectacular view of the volcanoes. Finally, we will stop at the bofedales (wetlands) of the National Reserve to observe South American camelids in their natural habitat, such as alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas. We will be arriving in Arequipa at approximately 05:30 p.m., ending the service near the Plaza de Armas.