Highlights
- Explore a less-visited Colca Valley route away from the classic circuit
- Admire volcano views, ancient terraces, and peaceful Andean landscapes
- Enjoy breakfast and a buffet lunch during your full-day Colca experience
- Relax during optional free time at hot springs in the Colca area
- Escape the massive tourist crowds with an exclusive, smartly timed itinerary.
Description
Leave the conventional tourist trail behind and experience the Colca Canyon in an intimate, authentic way. Your adventure begins with an early morning scenic drive from Arequipa, crossing the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where you will spot wild vicuñas, alpacas, and llamas in their natural habitat.
Instead of rushing into noisy, crowded buffet halls like standard tours, your morning features a curated artisan picnic breakfast. Enjoy fresh, locally sourced ingredients in the open air, with the breathtaking Andean landscape as your private backdrop.
Next, we head to the famous Condor's Cross (Cruz del Cóndor) to witness the awe-inspiring flight of the world's largest flying birds. Once the main crowds begin to scatter, we will steer away from the heavy bus routes for a leisurely guided hike along ancient agricultural paths. This gentle walk allows you to truly connect with the valley's nature and admire the pre-Inca terraces up close, which are still farmed by locals today.
Before heading back to Arequipa, we will visit a traditional village to explore its colonial church and living culture, followed by a relaxed lunch highlighting authentic regional gastronomy. We conclude the day by crossing the Patapampa Pass at 4,860 meters (15,944 feet), enjoying panoramic views of the volcanoes before dropping you off at your hotel.
Includes
Shared tourist transport
Pickup from hotels located in or near Arequipa’s historic center
Professional tour guide
Simple breakfast in Chivay
Excludes
Colca tourist ticket
Entrance to the hot springs
Buffet lunch in Chivay
Personal expenses
Local tastings, handicrafts, or photos with animals
Tips
Important Information
- This tour starts very early in the morning and reaches high-altitude areas.
Shared tourist transport may be a van, minibus, or coach depending on group size and daily operation.
Pickup is available only from hotels located in or near Arequipa’s historic center. If your accommodation is outside the pickup area, a nearby meeting point will be assigned.
The itinerary may vary slightly due to weather, traffic, road conditions, local availability, or operational circumstances.
Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Traditional dances, local tastings, handicrafts, and photos with animals depend on local availability and may require an extra payment.
The Colca tourist ticket and hot springs entrance are not included and must be paid locally in cash.
This activity is not recommended for people with serious heart problems, respiratory issues, severe …
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
