Colca Canyon and Arequipa

Arequipa & The Colca Canyon

Arequipa, Peru's second largest city, enjoys a privileged location at 7,800 feet (2,380 m) elevation against the backdrop of the perfect cone of 19,000 foot (5,822 m) El Misti Volcano. Founded by the Spanish in 1540 on the site of an existing pre-Inca settlement, this attractive city is graced with many handsome colonial buildings constructed from light-colored volcanic stone called sillar (pronounced "seal-yar").

Arequipa's most remarkable visitor site is the Convent of Santa Catalina. Throughout colonial times, the Convent accepted a daughter from every generation of every prominent southern Peruvian family. Over time, this important institution grew to occupy several city blocks in a walled maze of cloisters and gardens. The Catholic church declined in importance in the 19th century republican era, such that the nuns of today's convent occupy only a small area within the extensive original property. The remaining complex has been open to the public only since 1970. It is a beautiful, ethereal world of intimate courtyards, fountains, narrow alleys, and austere but ample living quarters: a fascinating and timeless glimpse into colonial life at the boundary between affluence and piety.

Another popular highlight is the Museo de Santuarios Andinos, better known as the Inca Mummy Museum. The exhibit of artifacts recovered from ritual burial sites at the tops of Andean volcanoes includes some other-worldly Inca royal woven garments, in addition to the mummies themselves.

Traveling northwest from Arequipa on excellent, mainly paved highways, we climb to a high plateau and traverse Pampa Cañahuas, an extension of the Aguadas Blancas Reserve, a protected area for vicuñas (the graceful relative of llamas and alpacas). We cross 15,830 foot Patapampa Pass amid spectacular snow-peaks, before descending into the eastern end of the valley to Chivay (11,480 ft), the most important town in the Colca Valley. From its source in the Andean glaciers, the river descends rapidly to the Pacific Ocean, cutting through the soft volcanic rock an immense canyon -- said to be twice as deep as the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River. On both sides of the valley, high above the river in its canyon far below, you explore intriguing villages inhabited by the original Cabana and Collagua groups. The valley contains numerous pre-Inca agricultural terrace complexes, many of which are still in use today. There are geoglyphs, cliff tombs and other archeological remains. We stop at the Cruz del Condor, a viewpoint where condors nesting in the cliffs spiral up on the morning?s thermal air currents. Our visitors enjoy many hiking options, ranging from moderate to challenging.

Natural hot springs and a variety of delightful country inns make the Colca Canyon a memorable complement to a visit to Cuzco and Lake Titicaca. More adventuresome visitors can reach the headwaters of the Amazon River, a glacial tributary on the northern slope of El Mismi Volcano.

Our tours include private English-speaking guide and transport, daily breakfast and lunch, park fees and entrance to indicated sites. They exclude dinners, tips, airport departure taxes, and charges for personal items such as laundry, long distance telephone etc.

Use these Activity Level Ratings as a general guide to help determine which of our adventures is best for you. Your perception of level of difficulty may vary from ours according to your own level of fitness and travel experience. Whether or not you stay in your comfort zone on the trip you select may also be influenced by the pacing we build into the itinerary, and your own preparation for the trip. While relatively high elevations are unavoidable when you're traveling in the Andes Mountains, we may judge a trip as "moderate" so long as passengers have sufficient time for acclimation. Our detailed trip itineraries give much more information about what you can expect. If you are unsure which trip is best for you, please call us. We'll help guide you toward the right fit.

Moderate

These adventures involve fairly easy travel. There is no camping: you sleep in hotels and country inns each evening. Trips may include short hikes and/or walks of two to three hours. Our itineraries include excursions in passenger mini-vans, over roads with many curves and potholes. Elevations rarely exceed 12,600'. At Machu Picchu and other Inca sites, we climb and descend relatively steep stone staircases. Trips to Amazon lodges involve travel by boat and canoe, plus hikes on forest trails at a moderate pace. In the rainforest, you may encounter rain, mud, and pooled water. Trips to the Galapagos include optional hikes on sometimes uneven rocky and/or slippery terrain. Passengers must get into and out of dinghies on beaches and at docks.

Active

These adventures include more hiking than in our moderate trips. You negotiate a variety of terrain, at elevations no more than 15,000'. Some trips include long days of overland travel. You sleep comfortably in hotels each evening.

Strenuous

While we rate all of our treks as strenuous, there is a substantial range of challenge between the easiest and the most demanding of our treks. Expect to hike 6-8 hours each day over steep and rugged terrain. You may hike to elevations of 17,000', with options to hike higher from several camps. Many include camping multiple nights at relatively high elevations. On most treks in the Andes, night-time temperatures can drop below freezing on one or more nights. On our Inn to Inn based treks, you'll spend each evening in a comfortable mountain lodge.

Extreme

Our toughest treks are suitable for those that enjoy a good physical challenge. You trek (and in some cases climb) over steep, rugged terrain at high elevations with substantial altitude gains. Some glacier travel requires knowledge of basic climbing techniques including use of crampons, ice axe, and ropes. These trips are in remote wilderness areas and include camping as high at 17,700'. Successful summit bids top out at 18,871' (Nevado Pisco), 19,347' (Volcan Cotopaxi) and 20,945' (Nevado Ausangate).

Departures: any day, year-round, custom basis, based on availability, 4-day, 3, 2, and 1-day programs

2011 Rates, per person, based on double occupancy

 (Please click on Itineraries to see full descriptions of each of these programs)

4 Days / 3 Nights, our most popular program (ACC-4):

Exploring Colca Canyon (ACC-3), 3 Days / 2 Nights:

Introduction to Arequipa and Colca Canyon (ACC-3A), 3 Days / 2 Nights

Introduction to Colca (ACC-2), 2 Days / 1 Night

Colca with Day Hikes (ACT-1),  3 Days / 2 Nights

Colca Add-on to Amazon Headwaters (AH-1), 1 or 2 Days

FOR DETAILED ITINERARIES ON EACH OF THESE PROGRAMS, PLEASE SEE THE ITINERARIES SECTION.

The Colca Canyon & Arequipa

All 6 itineraries are listed here. Rates are listed in the "Rates & Dates" detailed section.

The Colca Canyon in Peru, said to be twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, is a most awesome site. You can choose from 6 itinerary options, from 1 to 4 day trips, the perfect add on to any of our other Peru trips. On the 4-day program, our most popular, you look down into the deepest part from the canyon's edge as majestic condors soar above. A day in Arequipa and visits to small villages round off this great extension.

From its source in the Andean glaciers, the river descends rapidly to the Pacific Ocean, cutting through the soft volcanic rock to form this immense canyon. On both sides of the valley, you explore intriguing villages inhabited by the original Cabana and Collagua groups. The valley contains numerous pre-Inca agricultural terrace complexes, many of which are still in use today. There are geoglyphs, cliff tombs and other archeological remains. 

Arequipa, Peru's second largest city, enjoys a privileged location at 7,800 feet (2,380 m) elevation against the backdrop of the perfect cone of 19,000 foot (5,822 m) El Misti Volcano. Founded by the Spanish in 1540 on the site of an existing pre-Inca settlement, this attractive city is graced with many handsome colonial buildings constructed from light-colored volcanic stone called sillar (pronounced "seal-yar").

Arequipa's most remarkable visitor site is the Convent of Santa Catalina. Throughout colonial times, the Convent accepted a daughter from every generation of every prominent southern Peruvian family. Over time, this important institution grew to occupy several city blocks in a walled maze of cloisters and gardens. The Catholic church declined in importance in the 19th century republican era, such that the nuns of today's convent occupy only a small area within the extensive original property. The remaining complex has been open to the public only since 1970. It's a beautiful, ethereal world of intimate courtyards, fountains, narrow alleys, and austere but ample living quarters: a fascinating and timeless glimpse into colonial life at the boundary between affluence and piety.

Another popular highlight is the Museo de Santuarios Andinos, better known as the Inca Mummy Museum. The exhibit of artifacts recovered from ritual burial sites at the tops of Andean volcanoes includes some other-worldly Inca royal woven garments, in addition to the mummies themselves.

Traveling northwest from Arequipa on excellent, mainly paved highways, we climb to a high plateau and traverse Pampa Cañahuas, an extension of the Aguadas Blancas Reserve, a protected area for vicuñas (the graceful relative of llamas and alpacas). We cross 15,830 foot Patapampa Pass amid spectacular snow-peaks, before descending into the eastern end of the valley to Chivay (11,480 ft), the most important town in the Colca Valley. From its source in the Andean glaciers, the river descends rapidly to the Pacific Ocean, cutting through the soft volcanic rock an immense canyon -- said to be twice as deep as the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River.

On both sides of the valley, high above the river in its canyon far below, you explore intriguing villages inhabited by the original Cabana and Collagua groups. The valley contains numerous pre-Inca agricultural terrace complexes, many of which are still in use today. There are geoglyphs, cliff tombs and other archeological remains. We stop at the Cruz del Condor, a viewpoint where condors nesting in the cliffs spiral up on the mornings thermal air currents.

Our visitors enjoy many hiking options, ranging from moderate to challenging. Natural hot springs and a variety of delightful country inns make the Colca Canyon a memorable complement to a visit to Cuzco and Lake Titicaca. More adventuresome visitors can reach the headwaters of the Amazon River, a glacial tributary on the northern slope of El Mismi Volcano. Our tours include private English-speaking guide and transport, daily breakfast and lunch, park fees and entrance to indicated sites. They exclude dinners, tips, airport departure taxes, and charges for personal items such as laundry, long distance telephone etc.

ACC-4 The Full Program

Day One Arequipa We meet you on your arrival at Arequipa airport and transfer you to your hotel. If you arrive in the morning, you will have time in the afternoon to visit the fascinating Santa Catalina Convent, and to visit the Momia Juanita, the Inca mummy recently recovered from top of Ampato Volcano. Both site offer guided tours. Passengers from Cuzco arrive in late afternoon according to current air schedules. Lunch and dinner are on your own.

Day Two Colca Canyon Private guide and driver for the trip to Colca, with a stop at Pampas Cañahuas to view troops of vicuñas. We spend two nights in a comfortable country inn. We include box lunch today, en route to Chivay. In the afternoon we recommend the moderate 2- hour hike from Canocota along the river, ending at the La Calera open-air hot spring. Dinner is on your own.

Day Three The Canyon We visit the Cruz del Condor, a lookout near the deepest part of the Colca Canyon, where condors spiral up on the morning thermal air currents. In the left bank villages and countryside we explore an extraordinary concentration of geoglyphs, terracing complexes, colonial churches, and a vibrant folk culture with distinctive costumes and housing styles. We visit the village of Cabanaconde (75 km from Chivay) before returning to the upper (eastern) end of the valley. Overnight in our hotel. Lunch is included today; dinner on your own.

Day Four Colca/Arequipa We visit the village of Coporaque on the right bank of the river before returning in the afternoon to Arequipa in time for your evening flight to Lima. Lunch is included; dinner on your own.

ACC-3 Exploring the Colca Canyon

Day One Arequipa/Chivay We meet you at the airport and depart directly toward Chivay with your private guide and driver (note: passengers arriving from Cuzco must spend the first night in Arequipa). We view vicuñas at Pampa Cañahuas, enjoy a picnic lunch en route, and arrive in the mid-afternoon, with time enough to settle in and enjoy a local hot spring. Dinner is on your own. Note: we can also begin this tour from Puno, a 5-hour drive to Chivay. In both cases, an optional moderate hike from Canocota to La Calera hot spring is very enjoyable for walkers.

Day Two Colca Canyon We visit the Cruz del Condor, and the left bank villages as far as Cabanaconde before returning to the upper end of the valley. Overnight in our hotel. Lunch is included today; dinner on your own.

Day Three Colca/Arequipa We visit the village of Coporaque on the right bank of the river before returning in the afternoon to Arequipa in time for your evening flight to Lima. ACC-3A Introduction to Arequipa and Colca We meet you on your arrival at Arequipa airport and transfer you to your hotel. If you arrive in the morning, you will have time in the afternoon to visit the fascinating Santa Catalina Convent, and to visit the Momia Juanita, the Inca mummy recently recovered from top of Ampato Volcano. Both site offer guided tours. Passengers from Cuzco arrive in late afternoon according to current air schedules. Lunch and dinner are on your own.

Day Two Colca Canyon Private guide and driver for the trip to Colca. We spend one night in a comfortable country inn. We include box lunch today, en route to Chivay. In the afternoon we visit Coporaque, and enjoy a local hot spring. Dinner is on your own.

Day Three Colca Canyon We visit the Cruz del Condor, and some villages on the left bank. We return in the afternoon to Arequipa in time for your evening flight to Lima. Lunch is included today; dinner on your own.

ACC-2 Introduction to Colca

Day One Arequipa/Chivay We meet you at the airport and depart directly toward Chivay with your private guide and driver. We include box lunch today, en route to Chivay. In the afternoon we visit Coporaque and an open-air local hot spring. Dinner is on your own. Note: we can also begin this tour from Puno, a 5-hour drive to Chivay.

Day Two Colca Canyon/Arequipa We visit Cruz del Condor, and enjoy the magnificent scenery on the left bank of the river. We return in the afternoon to Arequipa for your evening flight to Lima.

ACT-1 Colca with Day-hikes

Day One Colca Canyon Private guide and driver for the trip to Colca, with a stop at Pampas Cañahuas to view troops of vicuñas, and at Patapampa Pass (4,900 m). We spend two nights in a comfortable country inn. We include box lunch today, en route to Chivay. In the afternoon we take a 2 - hour hike from Canocota along the river, ending at the La Calera open-air hot spring. Dinner is on your own.

Day Two Colca Canyon We hike to the Cruz del Condor, a lookout near the deepest part of the Colca Canyon, where condors spiral up on the morning thermal air currents. We continue to the Tapay lookout. In the left bank villages and countryside we explore an extraordinary concentration of geoglyphs, terracing complexes, colonial churches, and a vibrant folk culture with distinctive costumes and housing styles. After crossing to the right bank of the river, we visit the village of Lari with its charming colonial church, We continue to the lookout of Chininia, with views south to volcanoes; and hike to the Uyo Uyo ruins. Overnight in our hotel. Lunch is included today; dinner on your own.

Day Three Colca/Arequipa We visit the village of Coporaque on the right bank of the river before returning in the afternoon to Arequipa in time for your evening flight to Lima. Lunch is included; dinner on your own.

AH-1 Add-on to Amazon Headwaters

This is a full-day add-on to any program. The northern drainage of Nevado El Mismi has been identified as the geographical source of the Amazon River. At 18,000 feet elevation, the trip requires some acclimation days so is best added at the end of your regular Colca visit. From April through November, we take 4x4 jeeps from the upper Colca Valley around the eastern side of El Mismi, and hike to a tarn which gathers the glacial melt before draining north. 4,500 miles later, it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Spellbinding Andean scenery.

AH-2 Overnight trekking to Amazon Headwaters

We take 4x4 to the upper valley, then trek over the pass and camp just below the headwaters of the Amazon. Return next day by the same route to Chivay, and out to Arequipa.

Tours Include: hotel nights are in twinshare or triple basis, except for singles - daily breakfast and lunch - park and site fees - English-speaking guide, private vehicle for touring Tours Exclude: -flights, airport departure fees, tips, dinners -entrance to la Calera thermal baths

The Colca Canyon visitor fee is built into our tour programs.

Chivay is a 5-hour drive overland from Puno; costs are comparable to flying from Puno to Arequipa, hence making a Titicaca-Colca-Arequipa add-on a viable option.

• 1 to 4 days, hotel-based programs
• Choose from tourist to superior hotels
• Watch condors soar at Cruz del Condor, and vicuña troops on the high plain
• Visit traditional villages
• Enjoy optional hikes along the river and to remote ruins
• Rejuvenate in open-air hot springs
•  Visit Arequipa 

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