Day 1:
At 7:30 a.m., we'll start the tour with pickup from your hotel in Arequipa. On this sightseeing tour, we'll explore one of the most impressive and deepest canyons in the world: the Colca Canyon. Along the way, we'll pass through the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where we'll have the chance to see vicuñas in their natural habitat. We'll continue to Patahuasi, a village where we can enjoy traditional Inca mate, a drink that helps alleviate altitude sickness thanks to its natural ingredients, such as muña.
Our next stop will be at the Toccra Wetlands, where we can see alpacas grazing in their natural environment. We'll continue our journey to the Mirador de los Volcanes, the highest point of our route, at 4,900 meters above sea level. From there, we'll be able to admire the majestic volcanic chain of the Western Cordillera. After this stop, we'll descend for about 40 minutes until we reach the town of Chivay, where we'll enjoy a delicious traditional lunch around 1:00 p.m.
In the afternoon, we'll check into our hotels in Chivay and then head to the thermal baths, which are perfect for relaxing and enjoying their medicinal properties. We'll round off the day with dinner and a folklore show featuring typical dances of the region. Overnight stay in Chivay.
Day 02:
After breakfast at our hotels, we'll head to the Cruz del Cóndor Vantage Point, about 35 minutes from Chivay. This is the perfect place to watch the impressive flight of the condors and the majesty of the Colca Canyon. We'll spend about 45 minutes here, enjoying panoramic views of the canyon. On the way back, we'll make several stops at the valley's vantage points, from where you can see the stunning pre-Inca terraces that are still cultivated today.
We'll visit the villages of Yanque and Maca, where we can see their beautiful colonial churches and enjoy traditional dances. We will also have the opportunity to taste local drinks, such as the Colca Sour, a typical drink made with local ingredients.
At lunchtime, we'll stop again in Chivay. At the end of the sightseeing tour, you can choose between two return options:
Drop-off in Arequipa (6:00 p.m.)
Continuation to Puno (8:00 p.m.)
This sightseeing tour will let you experience the very best of Colca Canyon, enjoying spectacular landscapes, the local culture, and the region's ancient history.
