DAY 1 AREQUIPA - COLCA VALLEY
Our adventure begins in the morning in the city of Arequipa, as we embark on an exciting 160 km journey to the city of Chivay.
On the way, we will pass through the charming village of Yura, whose streets and squares have been declared historical monuments.
We will continue our journey through Pampa de Arrieros and Pampa Cañahuas, home to the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve in the Colca Canyon, where majestic vicuñas roam freely. You will have the opportunity to marvel at the beauty of these creatures while admiring this incredible landscape.
We will make a brief stop in Patahuasi so you can enjoy a refreshing coca tea, a traditional hot drink of the Andes that is very helpful for altitude sickness. You will have the chance to admire beautiful birds, such as flamingos, during our short stop at the Tocra wetlands. We will continue along the route, passing by the crater of the Chucura volcano, and stop at a fantastic volcano viewpoint.
We will continue visiting charming picturesque villages and enjoying impressive views of the volcanoes from a lookout point, doing a cultural tour in the villages of the Colca Valley.
Finally, we will arrive in Chivay, where you will have free time for lunch (optional). We will transfer you to your hotel for a short rest.
Afterward, we will explore the town of Chivay and its market, immersing ourselves in the Andean culture high in the Colca Canyon. Then, we will visit the La Calera hot springs.
At the end of the day, we will take you back to your hotel in Chivay, Yanque, or Coporaque, depending where your hotel is located.
DAY 2: CONDOR CROSS - AREQUIPA
Wake up early to enjoy a delicious breakfast before heading to the famous Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint. We will arrive on time to witness the magnificent depth of the canyon and, if we are lucky, the sighting of condors in the Colca Canyon.
These impressive birds of prey are among the largest in the world, and watching them soar above the canyon and the valley is a magical spectacle you won`t want to miss.
On our way back to Chivay, we will visit the traditional village of Pinchollo and the Antahuilque viewpoint, where you can marvel at the ancient terraces built 1,500 years ago by the Collagua culture that preceded the Incas.
We will continue our exploration by visiting Maca, a charming Andean community that experienced an earthquake in November 1991, and the town of Yanque, famous for having the most beautiful church in the valley. We will return to Chivay so you have time to eat lunch (optional).
Finally, we will return to Arequipa and transfer you to your hotel, concluding an amazing experience in the Colca Valley.
If you choose the option with the transfer to Puno included, after your visit to the Colca Valley, you will enjoy a 320 km journey through beautiful landscapes. We will pass through various picturesque Andean villages until we reach Puno, where we will take you to your hotel to continue your exciting adventure.