Highlights
- Get up close to the animals of the Andes
- Take pictures of the Misti, Chachani, and Ampato volcanoes
- Discover the living culture of the colonial villages of the Colca Valley
- See the majestic flight of the condor
Description
Day 1: From the Shores of Lake Titicaca to the Volcanic Heart
Your adventure begins early in the morning, when we'll pick you up from your hotel in Puno to leave Lake Titicaca behind and head into the vastness of the Peruvian Altiplano. On board our comfortable transportation, the first gem along the way will be Lagunillas, a mirror of crystal-clear water where time seems to stand still as you watch Andean flamingos and wild birds in their purest state.
Get ready to see up close the elegant vicuñas, llamas and alpacas that inhabit these highlands in Pampa Cañahuas. The highlight of the first day comes at the Patapampa Volcanoes Vantage Point. At an impressive altitude of 4,950 meters above sea level, you'll feel like you're on top of the world with a panoramic view of the stone giants: Misti, Chachani, and Ampato. After descending to the picturesque town of Chivay, we'll enjoy a local all-you-can-eat lunch. In the afternoon, you can soak in the warm, healing hot springs of La Calera, the perfect way to unwind before spending the night surrounded by mountains.
Day 2: The Deepest Canyon and the White City
You'll wake up in the heart of the Colca Valley – Chivay – to experience one of the most famous shows in South America. We'll head to the Mirador Cruz del Cóndor, the strategic vantage point where the depth of the canyon meets the sky. Here, you'll have approximately an hour and a half to marvel at the majestic flight of the Andean Condor, the largest flying bird on the planet, as it soars on the thermals right in front of you.
Our expert guide will take you along nature trails to learn about the history of the Collagua and Cabana peoples, who transformed this landscape with their impressive agricultural terraces. On the way back to Chivay, we'll stop in colonial villages, where their white sillar churches and local markets will let you connect with the essence of living culture. Finally, after a hearty lunch, we'll set off on the final leg of the journey to Arequipa. We will cross lunar landscapes and descend from the Andes to drop you off comfortably at your hotel in the 'White City' around 5:00 pm, thus completing a perfect circle of nature and tradition.
Includes
Direct pick-up from your hotel located in downtown Puno
Shared tourist transportation equipped for high-altitude routes between Puno, Chivay, and Arequipa
Certified bilingual professional guide (Spanish and English) during the two-day expedition
Guided photo stops at Lagunillas, Pampa Cañahuas, and the Patapampa Volcanoes Vantage Point
Guided excursion to Colca Canyon and the Condor's Cross Vantage Point on the second day
Cultural visits to traditional villages
Final drop-off at your hotel or a central point in Arequipa city at the end of the sightseeing tour
Excludes
Not included
Accommodation in Chivay: You must make your own hotel reservation for the night of the first day
Colca Tourist Ticket (BTC): Essential to enter the canyon (S/70.00 for foreigners, S/40.00 for Latin Americans, S/20.00 for Peruvians)
Admission to La Calera Thermal Baths: Admission to the medicinal pools costs S/15.00 per person
Lunch on the 1st and 2nd day in Chivay: Not included (approximate cost S/ 45.00 to S/ 50.00)
Dinner on the first day in Chivay: At the traveler's expense
Tips and personal expenses: Not included
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
