From Arequipa: 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno

Colca Canyon makes the long transfer worthwhile. This two-day trip gives you a chance to see one of the world’s deepest canyons, pause in Chivay, soak in Calera’s hot springs, and finish in Puno instead of returning to Arequipa. I especially like the door-to-door route between downtown hotels and the small-group format, limited to 17 people.

I also like the mix of scenery and local culture. You see volcanoes, colonial towns, traditional costumes, local folklore, and perhaps llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas along the way. The main drawback is altitude. This is not a good choice if you are dealing with altitude sickness, and the early canyon viewing on the second day may feel demanding after a full first day.

Key points to know before booking

• Cruz del Condor is the main event: The viewpoint offers your best chance to watch condors circle above the canyon.
• The route ends in Puno: You turn a necessary Arequipa to Puno transfer into a full sightseeing experience.
• Calera hot springs cost extra: Entry is S/ 15, but the warm waters are a welcome way to break up the journey.
• Chivay is your overnight base: The one-night stay includes a private bathroom and breakfast, but the hotel is rated two-star.
• The canyon ticket is not included: Foreign visitors pay S/ 70, Latin American visitors S/ 40, and Peruvians S/ 20.
• Meals are separate: Lunch and dinner are not included, with meal options available from S/ 25 per person.

Why this Arequipa to Puno route works so well

Many people need to get from Arequipa to Puno and face a long stretch of road between the two cities. This tour makes the transfer useful. Instead of spending the day simply moving from one hotel to another, you get canyon views, a night in Chivay, hot springs, and a second day of sightseeing before arriving in downtown Puno.

The price is $103 per person. That covers downtown hotel pickup in Arequipa, the guide for two days, tourist transportation through Colca to Puno, one night in Chivay, breakfast, and downtown hotel drop-off in Puno. You still need to budget for the canyon entrance, meals, and optional hot springs, but the core transport and overnight stay make the price reasonable for a two-day route.

I would see this as a practical sightseeing transfer rather than a slow, independent visit to the Colca region. The schedule is built around the major sights, so you get a broad introduction without arranging several separate buses, a hotel, and a guide yourself.

Leaving Arequipa for Chivay

Pickup is from your hotel in downtown Arequipa. The tour then heads into the countryside toward Chivay, the main town used as a base for visiting Colca Canyon.

The route gives you a change from Arequipa’s urban setting to high-country scenery, volcano views, rural communities, and open stretches of road. The trip also includes stops connected with the region’s colonial towns, local dress, and folklore. These details matter because Colca is not only a giant geological attraction. It is also a lived-in region with its own traditions and village culture.

You may see llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas during the journey. The wording matters here: these are possible sightings, not guaranteed wildlife encounters. Keep your camera ready, but do not treat the trip as a formal animal-watching excursion.

Once you reach Chivay, you check into the hotel and have time for lunch. Lunch is not included, and options are available from S/ 25 per person. A two-star hotel may be perfectly adequate for one night, especially since it includes a private bathroom, but you should not book this expecting a luxury stay or a resort-style base.

Chivay and the Calera hot springs

After lunch, the tour visits the Calera hot springs. The thermal and medicinal waters range from 35 to 38 degrees Celsius, a comfortable temperature for sitting and relaxing rather than a short, chilly swim.

The hot springs are optional and cost S/ 15. I consider this one of the better small extras on the trip. After countryside roads and sightseeing, warm water can help you slow down before the overnight stay. It also gives the first day a pleasant ending instead of filling every hour with viewpoints and photo stops.

Still, you should be clear about what this is. The hot springs are an add-on, not part of the listed price. If you are watching your spending, you can skip them. If you want a little comfort after the ride, the extra cost is modest.

The first day does not include dinner. Meal choices are available from S/ 25 per person, so allow for both lunch and dinner in your budget. Breakfast is included the next morning.

Cruz del Condor and the canyon viewpoint

Day two begins with breakfast in Chivay, followed by the trip to Cruz del Condor. This is the strongest reason to choose the tour.

From the viewpoint, you can look into the vast Colca Canyon and try to spot Andean condors riding the air currents above the cliffs. The birds may fly overhead or around the viewpoint, but sightings are never guaranteed. Even without a close condor appearance, the scale of the canyon makes this a major stop.

The viewpoint is also where the trip’s focus changes. Day one is about reaching Chivay, local towns, hot springs, and the wider countryside. At Cruz del Condor, the canyon takes center stage. You get the famous view and a real chance to understand the sheer size of the gorge.

The altitude is an important consideration. The tour specifically says it is not suitable for people with altitude sickness. If high-altitude travel has caused you problems before, this may not be the right way to add Colca Canyon to your plans. You should also avoid scheduling this trip when you need to rush straight into another demanding activity in Puno.

The return route through Colca

After Cruz del Condor, the group returns toward Chivay with guided stops at scenic points. These pauses allow you to take in the changing views, volcanoes, and highland scenery rather than seeing the whole region through a vehicle window.

The stops also help place the canyon in its wider setting. Colca is not one single lookout. It is a region of deep gorges, villages, cultivated areas, mountains, and volcanic scenery. The guided route gives you a useful overview in a limited amount of time.

Lunch is not included on this day either. Options are available from S/ 25 per person, and you should plan to pay separately. After lunch, you board the transportation for the journey to Puno.

This is where the tour is most useful for people with fixed plans. You are not taken back to Arequipa. The vehicle continues to Puno, where you are dropped at your downtown hotel. That saves you from arranging a second transfer and avoids losing another day to backtracking.

What the small-group setup means

The group is limited to 17 participants, which is small enough to feel more manageable than a large coach trip. A smaller group can make hotel pickup, viewpoint stops, and movement between the vehicle and attractions less awkward.

The tour includes an English-speaking guide, with Spanish also available. The guide is with you for both days, which gives the route more continuity than joining separate day tours with different staff. Expect guidance on the canyon, towns, viewpoints, and stops, rather than a fully private experience.

A group of up to 17 is still a group. You will follow a shared schedule and wait for other people at stops. If you prefer to linger at one viewpoint, take a long lunch, or choose your own departure time, a private trip would offer more control. This tour trades that flexibility for a lower cost and simple transport.

The real cost beyond the $103 price

The advertised $103 is not the total amount you will spend. The main required extra is the Colca Canyon entrance:

• Foreign visitors: S/ 70
• Latin American visitors: S/ 40
• Peruvian visitors: S/ 20

The Calera hot springs cost S/ 15 if you choose to enter. Lunch and dinner are also separate, with meal options from S/ 25 per person. Breakfast on the second day is included.

For a foreign visitor who adds the hot springs, the listed extras begin at S/ 85 before lunch and dinner. That is useful to know before booking because the advertised price covers the main service, but not every cost during the two days.

Even with these additions, the package can offer good value if you already need to travel from Arequipa to Puno. You are paying for transport, a guide, a hotel night, breakfast, and multiple sightseeing stops. The value is weaker if you only want to see the canyon and plan to return to Arequipa, since this route is designed around onward travel to Puno.

Comfort, timing, and what to pack

The exact starting time depends on availability, so check the departure details before you book. The second day is organized around reaching Cruz del Condor and then continuing to Puno, so this is not a leisurely late-start excursion.

Pack layers. Temperatures can change during high-altitude travel, and you may spend time outside at viewpoints. Comfortable shoes are sensible for stops, even though this is not described as a hiking tour. Bring water, sun protection, and cash for entrance fees, meals, and the hot springs.

You should also keep your expectations realistic about the vehicle. Tourist transportation is included, but the information does not specify the exact vehicle type or seat layout. Since the route covers two days and ends in another city, comfort matters more here than on a short sightseeing loop.

The private bathroom at the Chivay hotel is a useful inclusion. The two-star rating signals simple accommodation, not elaborate facilities. For one night, that may be enough, particularly if your priority is reaching Puno while seeing Colca Canyon on the way.

Who should book this tour

I would recommend this trip to you if you:

• Need to travel from Arequipa to Puno
• Want an organized introduction to Colca Canyon
• Prefer hotel pickup and drop-off
• Like combining nature, village culture, and scenic viewpoints
• Are comfortable with a small shared group
• Want the option of hot springs after the first day
• Do not want to arrange transport, lodging, and canyon entry on your own

I would be more cautious if you want a slow visit with long walks, independent village time, or a higher-end hotel. The tour covers a lot in two days, and the schedule is shaped by transportation needs.

It is also not a sensible choice if you are experiencing altitude sickness. The canyon region is high, the days involve extended road travel, and the tour provider specifically excludes people with altitude sickness from the suitable audience.

Should you book the Colca Canyon transfer?

Book it if Puno is your next stop and you want to turn the transfer into a worthwhile two-day outing. The strongest features are the direct hotel-to-hotel route, the Cruz del Condor viewpoint, the Chivay overnight stay, and the chance to add Calera’s warm springs.

Before paying, add the canyon ticket, two lunches, dinner, and the optional S/ 15 hot springs fee to your budget. I would also check the departure time and confirm that you are staying in the downtown pickup and drop-off areas.

With a rating of 4.2 from 17 ratings, the experience has a solid overall record, though not enough feedback to promise a flawless trip. For $103, it is a sensible choice for an organized Arequipa to Puno journey, especially if you value convenience more than complete freedom.

FAQ

How long is the Colca Canyon tour?

The tour lasts two days. It begins with pickup at a downtown Arequipa hotel and ends with drop-off at a downtown Puno hotel.

Is transportation from Arequipa to Puno included?

Yes. Tourist transportation through Colca to Puno is included in the tour price.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is included from hotels in downtown Arequipa, with drop-off at hotels in downtown Puno.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. The package includes one night in a two-star hotel in Chivay with a private bathroom.

Is breakfast included?

Breakfast on the second day in Chivay is included. Lunch and dinner are not included.

How much does entry to Colca Canyon cost?

Foreign visitors pay S/ 70, Latin American visitors pay S/ 40, and Peruvians pay S/ 20.

Are the Calera hot springs included?

No. Entry to the hot springs is optional and costs S/ 15.