colca canyon trek

We will pick you up from your hotel around 4:00 am for an early start into the Colca Valley. The drive to the town of Chivay will take approximately 3 hours (160 km). Along the way, we’ll pass through the Cañahuas (A South American crop in the same family as quinoa) fields at the Aguada Blanca National Reserve. Keep your eyes open to spot wild vicuñas, a wild member of the camelid family and producers of the most expensive fiber in the world! We’ll also stop at Patapampa, the highest point on the route at 4,900 meters (16,000 feet), and enjoy stupendous views of the surrounding volcanoes. After a hearty breakfast in Chivay, we’ll continue our journey to Cabanaconde, which takes about 1.5 hours. On the way, we’ll visit the Cruz del Condor lookout for about an hour to witness the majestic flight of the Andean condor. The drive will then continue through the stunning landscapes of the Colca Valley, with its pre-Inca terracing constructed centuries ago and still in use today. At approximately 10:00 am, we’ll arrive in Cabanaconde (3,400 meters / 11,150 feet), where we’ll start our trek into the Colca Canyon. The descent will take about 3 hours (approximately 6 km), and we’ll encounter diverse Andean and tropical vegetation as well as the unique geographical features of the canyon. Once at the bottom, we’ll cross a small hanging bridge and walk for another hour to reach San Juan de Chuccho, a canyon village at 2,440 meters (8,000 feet). Here, we’ll spend the night in one of the villager’s lodges and enjoy an authentic homestay experience. After settling in, we’ll have time to explore the village and learn about the community’s way of life. (L / D)

After breakfast, we’ll embark on our second day of trekking from Chuccho village to Sangalle village. We’ll start with a climb of approximately 1,300 meters (about 1 hour and 20 minutes) to reach our first village, Cosnirhua (2,660 meters). From there, we’ll take a short hike to Malata, covering a distance of about 1 km (around 2 hours). Our visit to Malata, situated at 2,640 meters (8,660 feet), offers us a chance to learn about local culture. Next, we’ll descend into the canyon from Malata to Sangalle village, which is about 3.5 km away (approximately a 2-hour hike). We’ll cross a hanging bridge on our way to Sangalle, also known as "The Oasis," located at 2,220 meters (7,280 feet). This village is renowned for its pleasant climate and lush vegetation. Here, you can relax and rejuvenate in the warm water springs, with swimming pools that offer a refreshing dip at around 18 degrees Celsius/ 64 degrees Fahrenheit. We’ll spend the night in Sangalle at a local homestay, with basic accommodations provided.

We’ll start our day bright and early at 4:00 am with hot coffee before beginning our ascent from Sangalle at 2,220 meters to the top of the canyon in Cabanaconde at 3,500 meters. The climb covers a distance of approximately 3.3 km and will take around 4 to 5 hours. Upon reaching Cabanaconde, we’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast while waiting for our vehicle to pick us up and drive us to Chivay. On the return journey, we’ll have scenic views of thousands of pre-Inca terraces still cultivated with Andean crops like quinoa, qiwicha, corn, and potatoes. In Chivay, we’ll have the opportunity to visit the La Calera Hot Springs, where the medicinal waters are comfortably warm at around 35 to 40 degrees Celsius (95 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit) (note: entrance to the pools is not included). There will be an option to have lunch in Chivay (not included) before we head back to Arequipa. We expect to arrive in Arequipa around 4:30 pm. (B)