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From Cusco: Arequipa and Colca Canyon Trek 5 Days and 3 Nights

  • 5 Days and 3 Nights

Typical Andean vegetation surrounds one of the world’s deepest canyons: Colca Canyon, the perfect setting for extreme sports and for peaceful relaxation, all under the watchful gaze of the monarch of these skies, the Andean Condor.

NIGHT 1: Bus to Arequipa.

19:15 – 19:30 pm, our transport of Inca Trail Explorer will pick you up at your selected location in Cusco (hostel/homestay). Sleeper direct bus to Arequipa (10hrs).

NOTE: You can also avoid the bus by taking a flight from Cusco or from Lima. Please let us know if you prefer this option. Inca Trail Explorer can arrange this for you.

Program

06:00 – 06:30 am, upon arrival, you will be met with our Inca Trail Explorer transfer to take you to your hostel/hotel in Arequipa via transport. The rest of the day you are free to relax or explore on your own (probably Peru’s most beautiful city, the so-called “Ciudad Blanca” or White City).

You’ll be picked up at 03:00 am from your hotel in Arequipa and we will drive 3 hours to Chivay, the capital of the Colca Canyon region. You’ll have breakfast in Chivay before continuing on to Cruz del Condor, one of the best places to view the vast expanse of Colca Canyon and a prime location for condor viewing. After about 40 minutes at Cruz del Condor, you’ll continue for another half hour to Pampas San Miguel where you’ll start our hike. About 2.5 hours into the trek, you’ll cross the bridge at the bottom of the canyon. From here it’s another half hour to the first village, San Juan de Chuecho, where you’ll have lunch and a short break. You’ll continue hiking another 3 hours and pass through the villages of Cosnihua and Malata before arriving at Oasis de Sangalle around 4:30 pm where you’ll have dinner and spend the night.

You’ll wake up at 04:45 am to start our 3–3.5 hour hike out of the canyon to Cabanaconde. After breakfast in Cabanaconde you’ll have a 2-hour bus ride to the Calera hot springs. The bus will stop at a couple viewpoints for photos along the way. You’ll have about an hour at the thermal baths before you continue to Chivay (10–15 minutes away) for a buffet lunch.

Note: If you do not wish to hike out of the canyon you can hire a mule for about 60 soles.

Continuing on to Arequipa, you will make a couple more stops — first at the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve to see llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas and second at Patapampa Pass (4910 m.s.l.), the highest point on your trip where you can see the chain of volcanoes including Hualcahualca, Sabancalla, and Ampato.

You’ll arrive back in Arequipa between 17:30 – 18:00 pm.

20:00 pm, overnight bus return to Cusco (please make sure you show up at the bus station 45 min before).

06:30 am, arrival in Cusco. You will need to transfer yourself back to your hotel or homestay.

Inclusions

Includes

  • Sleeper bus Cusco – Arequipa – Cusco.
  • 01-night accommodation in Arequipa.
  • 01-night accommodation in Oasis de Sangalle for 1 night.
  • Meals (2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner).
  • Bus transportation.
  • Entrance ticket to Colca Canyon.
  • Tour guide.

Does Not Include

  • Water.
  • Mules.
  • Personal expenses.

What to bring

  • Passport original or copy.
  • Swimming suit.
  • Hiking shoes or boots with ankle support (waterproof recommended).
  • Warm clothes (1 warm sweater or a jacket, long pants).
  • 3 t-shirts.
  • Shorts.
  • Towel.
  • Headlamp or flashlight.
  • Sunglasses and hat.
  • Sun Block and insect repellent.
  • Extra money for water, snacks, and any other personal expenses or incidentals.

Prices

Starting at: $295 USD per person.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • This is a challenging hike and should only be done by people who have experience hiking.
  • The accommodation while in the canyon is basic and similar to “cabin camping”.
  • You will need to pay the tax at the bus station in Arequipa. This is also called “Tames” and is around 2-3 soles. We are unable to arrange this from Cusco.

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