From Arequipa: Tour Colca Canyon 2 Days with End in Puno

Canyon views with a useful onward journey. This two-day trip combines Colca Canyon, Andean wildlife, Chivay’s hot springs, and transport to Puno, making it a smart choice if you want to connect two major Peruvian stops without arranging separate buses. I especially like the string of high-altitude viewpoints on the first day and the chance to sleep in Chivay instead of rushing through the canyon in one long outing.

The price is attractive at $95, and the private room, breakfast, guide, and tourist transport are included. The main drawback is altitude: you reach 4,800 meters, and one English-speaking guest found it difficult to follow the guide because much of the explanation was in Spanish. I would treat the language arrangement as something to confirm before booking.

Key points at a glance

• 4,800-meter Volcanoes Viewpoint: The highest point on the route gives you broad views of the western mountain range, but altitude sickness can be a real concern.
• Salinas and Aguada Blanca Reserve: Look for vicuñas, then alpacas at the Toccra wetlands, with short stops that break up the drive.
• Chivay overnight: A private room and breakfast make the canyon visit less rushed, though accommodation is simple rather than luxurious.
• Chacapi hot springs: The pools range from 35 to 38 degrees Celsius, a pleasant option after the high-altitude road journey.
• Condors at Cruz del Cóndor: You spend about 45 minutes at the main canyon viewpoint, with additional stops at valley terraces and Maca.
• Direct onward transfer to Puno: Day two ends at Puno’s bus station around 7:30 p.m., saving you the trouble of returning to Arequipa.

Why this route works well for a Peru itinerary

Colca Canyon is one of Arequipa’s major attractions, but its position creates a planning problem. You can visit as a day trip, yet that means a very early start, hours on the road, and little time to settle into the area. This tour gives you an overnight in Chivay, then carries you onward to Puno, the gateway city for Lake Titicaca.

That second part is the real practical win. Instead of returning to Arequipa on day two and arranging another long bus ride, you change vehicles in Chivay and continue toward Puno with a guide and sightseeing stops. You lose the flexibility of an independent bus, but you gain a prepared route and fewer transport decisions.

The group is limited to 18 people. That is small enough to keep the guide’s instructions manageable, though the pace still depends on the whole group. Hotel pickup is offered from central Arequipa hotels between 7:30 and 8 a.m. If your accommodation is in a remote area, you meet at the Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas.

Day one: Arequipa to Chivay through high country

The first day is mainly a scenic road trip with several planned stops. The journey to Chivay takes about four hours when the viewpoints are included, and the road climbs quickly into the high Andes. You should eat lightly before departure and arrive in Arequipa at least one day early to help your body adjust to the altitude.

The first major stop is the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve. This protected area is known here for its vicuñas, the small wild camelids with fine coats that live in the high plains. You may see them from the roadside, so keep your camera ready, but remember that the stop is about watching animals in their natural setting rather than visiting a controlled enclosure.

At Patahuasi, you can drink coca tea. It is a familiar Andean remedy for altitude discomfort and a useful warm drink during a cold morning. It is not a guaranteed cure for mountain sickness, so take the warning seriously: slow down, drink water, and tell the guide if you feel unwell.

The Toccra wetlands bring another kind of wildlife stop. Alpacas graze freely around the bofedales, or high-altitude wetlands. This is a simple roadside visit, but it gives you a good look at how livestock and wildlife fit into daily life in the high plains.

Then comes the highest point of the route, the Mirador de los Volcanes at 4,800 meters above sea level. From here, you can see a large part of the western mountain range. The stop is impressive, but it can also be physically demanding. Do not plan to run around taking photos. Walk slowly, keep your warm layers on, and use the stop as a short viewing break.

After the viewpoint, Chivay is about 40 minutes away. The town serves as the base for this section of the canyon, with hotels, restaurants, and access to the thermal baths. Arrival is scheduled around 12:30 p.m., followed by lunch at your own cost.

Chivay overnight: simple lodging and a warm soak

After lunch, you settle into a private room. The accommodation is described as tourist class, and the practical standard is modest. One account praised the hotel as better than expected, while another found the room cold and gloomy. I would book this tour for its route, not for a polished hotel experience.

The hot springs at Chacapi are the best way to use the afternoon. Entry costs S/. 15 and is optional. The pools range from 35 to 38 degrees Celsius, so the water should feel especially good after the cold, dry road over the pass.

The bath is not just a box to tick. It gives you a slow hour in Chivay before the next early start, and it can be a pleasant way to handle the first day’s altitude and road fatigue. Bring whatever personal bathing items you need, since the tour description does not specify what the thermal complex provides.

Dinner is also separate. For S/. 35, you can join a meal with a folklore show and traditional dances. The experience received praise for being fun, and it offers an easy evening option if you want local music without searching for a venue yourself. It is still an add-on, so your final cost rises beyond the advertised $95.

Day two: condors, terraces, and the road to Puno

Breakfast at the hotel is included, then the group leaves for Cruz del Cóndor. The drive takes about 30 minutes. This is the central viewing point for the Colca Canyon and the place where you have the best chance to see Andean condors riding the rising air above the canyon.

The scheduled viewing time is about 45 minutes. That is enough for a proper look and some photographs, but it is not an all-morning wait. Condors are wild animals, so sightings cannot be promised. The guide can point out the canyon and help you watch the sky, but patience and luck still matter.

The return route includes viewpoints over the enormous terraces of the Colca Valley. These stepped fields are one of the most striking signs of long-established farming in the region. From above, the terraces turn the slopes into broad, patterned bands, and the stops help you understand that Colca is not only a geological attraction.

In Maca, you can see the local church and optionally sample the Colca Sour, a drink made with products from the area. The tasting is not required, and you should keep your own tolerance for alcohol and altitude in mind. A small drink can affect you more at high elevation than it would at sea level.

Lunch in Chivay is scheduled around noon and is not included. Afterward, the onward journey begins. The schedule describes a change to another vehicle at about 1:30 p.m. for the trip to Puno. The vehicle has tourist transport, a professional guide, and sightseeing stops along the route.

This section is useful but long. Arrival in Puno is expected around 7:30 p.m., with drop-off at the city’s only bus station, about five minutes by taxi from central Puno. You are not returned to your Arequipa hotel, so this tour suits an itinerary that already has Puno next.

What you actually pay beyond the $95

At $95 per person, the tour offers solid value because it includes two days of transport, a private room, breakfast, central hotel pickup, English and Spanish guiding, the canyon route, and the transfer to Puno. The largest extra is the Colca Canyon entrance fee:

• Europe and the United States: S/. 70
• Latin America: S/. 40
• Peru: S/. 20

You also pay for both lunches. The first-day buffet option is listed at S/. 40, while the second lunch is simply excluded. The Chacapi hot springs cost S/. 15, and the dinner with folklore costs S/. 35 if you choose it.

That means the advertised price is a base cost, not the full spending amount. Even so, it compares well with arranging a separate Colca visit, hotel night, and bus to Puno. I would carry Peruvian soles for entrance fees, meals, drinks, and the optional bath.

Guiding, language, and group size

Guiding is offered in English and Spanish, and the group limit is 18. Several people praised the guide’s friendliness and information, with Roy receiving a specific thank-you for his excellent work. Another guide was described as very good, and the overall tone of the feedback is strongly positive.

Still, you should not assume every explanation will be delivered equally in both languages. One English-speaking participant found the guide difficult to understand and felt that most of the guiding was in Spanish. If your Spanish is limited, ask how the bilingual commentary will be handled before you pay.

The group size matters most at viewpoints and during vehicle changes. Eighteen people is not a private tour, but it is more personal than a large coach group. Keep track of departure times, especially after the condor stop and in Chivay, since the second day has a long road section.

Altitude is the main practical issue

The route reaches 4,800 meters, higher than Chivay and far higher than Arequipa. The tour information recommends arriving in Arequipa at least one day before the excursion, eating lightly, and allowing time to acclimatize.

Take that advice seriously. The coca tea stop is part of local travel culture and may help you feel more comfortable, but it should not replace sensible pacing. Keep your first day gentle, avoid heavy meals, and tell the guide promptly if you develop severe symptoms.

The schedule is not built around strenuous hiking. Most stops are viewpoints or short visits, which makes this suitable for people who want to see the canyon without a demanding trek. The road time, rather than walking, is the bigger challenge.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this tour if you want Colca Canyon and Puno in the same plan. It is especially useful for visitors with limited time who do not want to return to Arequipa between destinations.

It also suits you if you prefer having transport, a room, breakfast, and a guide arranged in one booking. The route has enough scheduled stops to keep the long drives interesting, and Chivay gives you a calmer overnight than a rushed day trip.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet, private experience, a high-end hotel, or extensive English commentary at every stop. You should also think twice if you have not spent any time adjusting to Arequipa’s altitude.

Should you book the Arequipa to Puno Colca tour?

Book it if your priorities are efficient transport, strong scenery, and a reasonable base price. The combination of vicuñas, alpacas, volcano views, condors, hot springs, and a direct Puno transfer packs a lot into two days.

Before booking, confirm the English guiding arrangement, budget for the canyon fee and meals, and arrive in Arequipa early enough to adjust. If you can accept simple lodging and a long second day on the road, this is a practical way to turn a necessary transfer into a worthwhile Andean sightseeing trip.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts two days, beginning with pickup in Arequipa and ending in Puno on the second evening.

What time is pickup in Arequipa?

Pickup from hotels in central Arequipa is scheduled between 7:30 and 8 a.m.

Where does pickup take place?

The guide asks for you at the door of your central Arequipa hotel. If your hotel is remote, the meeting point is at the door of the Cathedral on the main square.

Is accommodation included in Chivay?

Yes. The tour includes a private room in tourist accommodation in Chivay and breakfast on the second day.

Is the Colca Canyon entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee is paid separately. The listed rates are S/. 70 for visitors from Europe and the United States, S/. 40 for Latin Americans, and S/. 20 for Peruvians.

Is the hot spring entry included?

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

Are meals included?

Breakfast at the Chivay hotel on the second day is included. Lunch on both days and dinner on the first day are not included.

Does the tour visit the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint?

Yes. The group travels to Cruz del Cóndor on the second morning and spends about 45 minutes there.

Does the tour finish in Arequipa?

No. The tour continues from Chivay to Puno and is expected to arrive around 7:30 p.m.

Where do you arrive in Puno?

Drop-off is at Puno’s bus station. It is about five minutes by taxi from the center of Puno.

Is the tour available in English?

The tour offers English and Spanish guiding. If you need English commentary throughout, confirm how the bilingual guiding will be managed before booking.