Colca Canyon Plus

The high Andes start long before the canyon. This two-day Colca Canyon Plus tour from Arequipa combines volcano views, wild vicuñas, high-altitude wetlands, traditional villages, thermal baths, and the famous flight of the Andean condor. At $103.85 per person, it is a strong-value way to see the Colca region without arranging transport, lodging, and guiding on your own.

I especially like the overnight stay near Coporaque, which gives the trip a quieter countryside setting than a quick day trip. I also like the small-group limit of 14 people, plus the chance to walk through Coporaque and visit local textile workers. The main drawback is altitude: the route reaches 4,910 meters, so even fit visitors may feel tired, cold, or short of breath.

The trip is highly rated, with a 4.9 score from 198 reviews and 99 percent recommendation. Guides and drivers receive frequent praise for being friendly, organized, and clear. Antonio San Cristobal and driver Derly are singled out for professional service, while Mayan is praised for her cheerful manner and detailed explanations.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• 4,910-meter high point: Abra Patapampa is far higher than Chivay or Arequipa, so altitude preparation matters.
• Wild vicuñas in Salinas y Aguada Blanca: You see these small, graceful camel relatives in their natural setting.
• One night in Coporaque: The included hotel places you near the Colca Valley rather than rushing back to Arequipa.
• Condors and canyon views: Cruz del Cóndor includes viewing time plus a roughly one-hour walk near the canyon.
• Lunches are extra: Breakfast, transport, guiding, and lodging are included, but lunch, dinner, and the $22 Cruz del Cóndor entrance fee are not.
• Small group format: The tour accepts a maximum of 14 people, a useful balance between shared transport and personal attention.

Why This Two-Day Tour Makes Sense

A day trip from Arequipa to Colca Canyon can feel like a long race against the clock. The canyon lies far from the city, and the route climbs through very high country before dropping toward Chivay. By spending a night in the valley, you get more than a viewpoint and a quick meal. You see villages, terraces, local crafts, and the changing light across the canyon.

The schedule is full, but it is not only a checklist of photo stops. Day one focuses on the high plains and the approach to Colca. Day two centers on condors, old agricultural terraces, village roads, and the return to Arequipa.

The price includes tourist transport, a professional guide, breakfast, and a hotel in a double or twin room. That makes $103.85 a fair package price, especially since independent transport between Arequipa and Colca can be awkward to arrange. You still need to budget for two lunches, dinner, the $22 entrance fee at Cruz del Cóndor, and possibly the thermal baths if you choose to visit them.

Day One: Volcanoes, Vicuñas, and the High Andean Road

The route begins with views of Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu, the volcanoes that frame Arequipa. These views give you a useful sense of the region’s scale before the road moves into the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve.

At Pampa Cañahuas, the vehicle makes several stops to look for vicuñas. These wild animals are one of the four types of camel found in the Americas. They are smaller and more delicate than llamas and alpacas, with fine coats suited to the cold, dry highlands.

You are already near 4,000 meters here. Take the stop slowly. Walk only as much as you need, drink water, and do not treat the first morning as a race for photographs. The reserve is an excellent early part of the trip because it introduces the high-altitude environment before the road reaches its highest point.

Puruña Stone Forest

A short detour leads to the stone forest of Puruña. The unusual rock formations give you a break from the open plains and provide broad views across the reserve. This is one of the more distinctive stops on the first day, since the rock shapes change the feel of the route.

The stop also shows why this tour is more worthwhile than a simple point-to-point transfer. You are not just sitting in a van between Arequipa and Chivay. You get several chances to step out, look around, and see how the Andean terrain changes.

The schedule allows about two hours for the reserve area, including the vicuña stops and Puruña. The time is useful, though conditions at this altitude can make even a short walk feel demanding.

A Local Rest Stop With Coca Tea and Alpaca Fiber

The route continues to a local restaurant where you can have mate de coca and see how local women work with alpaca fiber. You also learn about the use of Andean plants in local life.

This stop adds a human side to a route that could otherwise be dominated by volcanoes and open country. It is also practical. Restrooms are available here, so use them before continuing toward the higher pass.

Mate de coca is commonly offered in high Andean areas, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed cure for altitude sickness. It may be comforting and warming, but the best response to altitude is still rest, water, and paying attention to how you feel.

Abra Patapampa at 4,910 Meters

The road passes through Tocra, a high plain above 4,400 meters. Lakes and wetlands here attract wild birds, and you can photograph llamas and alpacas against the broad Altiplano.

Then comes Abra Patapampa, also called the Viewpoint of the Andes. At 4,910 meters, it is the highest point of the entire tour. From here, the views reach toward Ampato, Sabancaya, Hualca-Hualca, Mismi, and the Cordillera de Chila.

This is a dramatic stop, but it is also the point where altitude becomes a serious practical concern. You may feel a headache, dizziness, breathlessness, or unusual fatigue even if you are in good physical shape. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness, and I would treat that requirement honestly.

Keep your visit gentle. Short walks and quiet viewing are enough. Heavy exertion at 4,910 meters is not a smart way to prove anything. If you already know that high altitude affects you strongly, ask your medical professional about preparation before booking.

Coporaque: A Better Overnight Base Than a Quick Stop

As you approach Chivay at about 3,651 meters, the terraces of the Colca Valley begin to appear. Their bands of cultivated land follow the slopes and show how much work has gone into farming this steep region.

You make a short visit to Chivay’s plaza, then continue along the right side of the canyon to Coporaque. The overnight hotel is La Casa de Mamayacchi, where you have free time for lunch and several optional activities.

With help from your guide, you may learn to prepare a typical dish or try traditional clothing from the Colca Valley. These activities are simple, but they give the afternoon a local focus. You are not only looking at the valley from a bus window. You have a chance to take part in small cultural demonstrations.

The guide also offers a walk through Coporaque and the surrounding area. It takes about an hour and a half and is optional, which is important after the high pass. If your legs and lungs feel fine, the walk gives you a closer look at the village and the side of the canyon around it. If you are worn out, skip it without guilt.

Transport to the town’s thermal baths is available on request. This is a good option if you want a quiet end to the first day, though the tour details do not state that bath admission is included. Ask before you go so you know the extra cost.

The hotel is arranged in a double or twin room. A night in Coporaque also helps break up the long return journey. You are already in the valley for the early start to Cruz del Cóndor, rather than beginning the second day with another long drive from Arequipa.

Day Two: Condors at Cruz del Cóndor

Breakfast comes early, followed by the drive to Cruz del Cóndor on the left side of the Colca Canyon. This is the main event for many people, but it rewards patience rather than frantic camera work.

At the viewpoint, you have time to watch the canyon and look for Andean condors gliding through the air. The birds use rising air currents along the canyon walls, which can make their movement appear effortless. Sightings are a major reason to take this trip, but wildlife is never fully predictable. The tour provides the setting and time, not a guaranteed performance.

After the main viewpoint, the guide leads a short walk near the canyon lasting about an hour. This gives you another chance to see condors and experience the canyon from a different angle. It also adds some light walking to a morning that could otherwise be spent entirely at roadside lookouts.

The Cruz del Cóndor entrance fee is not included. The listed cost is $22 per person, so add it to your tour budget. The stop lasts about three hours, including the viewpoint, walk, and nearby villages.

Pinchollo, Antahuilque, and Old Terrace Views

On the way back toward Chivay, the route visits Pinchollo and the Antahuilque viewpoint. From here, you can see terraces that are about 1,500 years old.

That detail matters because the Colca Valley is not just a dramatic canyon carved by nature. It is also a working agricultural area shaped by generations of people. The terraces make the slopes usable, conserve soil, and show how local communities adapted to steep ground and a difficult climate.

The route then passes the Choquetico lookout, where you see the litomaqueta, a model of the canyon terraces carved into rock. This provides a useful visual explanation of the valley’s farming patterns. If you find broad views hard to interpret, a carved model can make the shape of the canyon easier to understand.

Maca, Yanque, and the Return to Arequipa

The final village stops include Maca and Yanque before the tour reaches Chivay around midday. You have free time for lunch in Chivay, but lunch is not included.

Plan to pay separately for both day-one and day-two lunches, as well as dinner at the hotel. The tour information does not specify restaurants or prices, so keep some local currency available rather than assuming every expense is covered by the booking price.

After lunch, you rejoin the vehicle for the drive back to Arequipa. Arrival is scheduled around 4:00 p.m., followed by a transfer to your hotel.

The return makes for a long second day, but the timing is useful if you have evening plans in Arequipa. There is also an option to transfer from Chivay to Puno on Lake Titicaca instead of returning to Arequipa. You need to consult the operator about that service, since the details here do not give its price or schedule.

Guides, Drivers, and Group Size

Good guiding matters on this route. The tour crosses volcanic country, high wetlands, villages, terraces, and a major wildlife viewpoint. A guide who can explain what you are seeing makes the long road much more rewarding.

Antonio San Cristobal is praised for being professional, courteous, and friendly, alongside Derly as driver. Mayan is also praised for keeping a cheerful mood and giving clear explanations. Since guide assignments can change, you should not assume one particular person will lead your departure, but these names give you an idea of the service level associated with the operator.

The maximum group size is 14. That is small enough for a guide to manage questions and keep the group together during the optional walks, though the shared vehicle still means you will follow a fixed schedule.

Who Will Get the Most From This Experience?

I would choose this tour if you want to see Colca Canyon but do not want to manage long-distance transport, a hotel, and several rural stops yourself. It suits people who enjoy scenery, wildlife, village visits, and a full schedule.

It is also a good fit if you value an overnight stay over the fastest possible trip. Coporaque gives the experience a more rural setting and reduces the feeling that Colca is merely a distant photo stop.

I would think twice if you dislike early mornings, long drives, or high altitude. The route reaches nearly 5,000 meters, and the second day begins early for the condor viewpoint. The optional Coporaque walk helps, since you can skip it if you feel unwell, but the main route still involves substantial time on the road.

The tour requires moderate physical fitness. You do not need to be a serious hiker, but you should be comfortable getting in and out of transport, walking at viewpoints, and handling altitude.

Price, Included Features, and Extra Costs

At $103.85 per person, the package offers good value because it includes:

• Tourist transportation
• Professional guide
• One hotel night
• Breakfast
• Hotel transfer on arrival back in Arequipa

The main extras are clear:

• Lunch on both days
• Dinner
• $22 entrance fee for Mirador Cruz del Cóndor
• Any unlisted personal expenses, including possible thermal bath admission

For the price, I like that the tour includes both a local village stay and a guide rather than only transport to the canyon. The value is strongest for solo visitors and couples who would otherwise pay separately for a hotel, vehicle, and driver.

The cancellation policy is also reasonably flexible. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least three full days before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a new date or full refund.

Should You Book Colca Canyon Plus?

Book it if you want a well-organized two-day route with strong scenery, a condor viewpoint, high Andean wildlife, and a night in the Colca Valley. The excellent 4.9 rating, 99 percent recommendation, and repeated praise for friendly guides and careful organization support its reputation.

I would particularly recommend it to first-time visitors to Peru who want Colca Canyon without arranging rural transport themselves. Just prepare for the altitude, bring money for the $22 entrance fee and meals, and treat the optional Coporaque walk as optional.

If you prefer a slower pace, private transport, or a longer stay in the valley, you may want a different arrangement. For most people seeking a practical two-day Colca Canyon trip from Arequipa, this is a well-priced and nicely balanced choice.

FAQ

How long is the Colca Canyon Plus tour?

The experience lasts approximately two days. It returns to Arequipa around 4:00 p.m. on the second day.

What is the highest point on the tour?

Abra Patapampa is the highest point, at 4,910 meters. The route also passes through Tocra, which is above 4,400 meters.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. One hotel night in a double or twin room is included. The accommodation is at La Casa de Mamayacchi in Coporaque.

Is food included?

Breakfast is included. Lunch and dinner are not included, so you need to pay for them separately.

Is the Cruz del Cóndor entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee is $22 per person.

How large is the tour group?

The tour has a maximum of 14 travelers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least three full days before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than three full days before the start time are not refunded or accepted.