Colca Canyon Excursion 2D

DAY 1: AREQUIPA – CHIVAY:

Pickup from your hotel in Arequipa between 07:45 and 08:00 am if you are in the central area and between 8:00 and 8:30 am if you are staying at Posada el Castillo. We begin our journey to one of the deepest canyons in the world, taking the road from Yura, skirting the snow-covered Chachani mountain towards Cañahuas Pampas. We stop to have coca leaf tea at Aguada Blanca National Park, the habitat of the beautiful South American camelids: vicuñas, alpacas, waris, and llamas. At Tocra Lake, we can appreciate a wide variety of migratory birds, sometimes flamingos. We will pass by the crater of an extinct volcano (Chucura) and then stop at the famous panoramic viewpoint of the volcanoes, at an altitude of 4,800 meters above sea level. From here, we will appreciate a large part of the western mountain range, where you can truly appreciate the pre-Inca terraces/platforms known as “andenerias”. Approximately at 1:30 pm, arrival in Chivay and stop for lunch (not included).

At 3:00 pm, our private transportation will take us to the picturesque “pueblito” town of Coporaque, from where we will begin a walk of approximately 2 hours to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and nature on this side of the valley; as well as a pre-Inca cemetery located at the foot of a mountain. You will notice that this region was intensely populated by Andean communities.

At 5:00 pm, after the walk, you have the opportunity to enjoy the thermal baths in the cal oven whose thermo-medicinal waters range between 35º and 38º degrees Celsius in the pools. (US $3 entry). At 8:00 pm, Dinner (not included) accompanied by a folkloric show; Be prepared for Peruvian Andean dances. Hotel Pozo De Cielo. (Standard Double Room or Double).

DAY 2: CHIVAY – CROSS OF THE CONDOR TO WATCH CONDORS – MACA – YANQUE – AREQUIPA.

Early breakfast, we continue at 06:30 in our private transportation towards the viewpoint called “Cruz del Cóndor”, approximately 1.5 hours by car to this National Park, where you have a beautiful view of the Colca Canyon. This is also the place where you should be able to observe several flying condors, which sometimes fly very close to you (up to a few meters). Just near this area, your guide will show you the pre-Inca tombs that hang on the mountains. Plenty of time to spend in this natural region to take photos and walk gently around the San Pedro cactus area. On the way back, we will stop in the cities of Pinchollo, Maca, and Yanque, with their beautiful colonial churches, as well as at the viewpoints of Choquetico and Antahuilque, from where we will observe impressive pre-Inca terrace cultivation platforms of the valley, and tombs in pre-Inca scale models. Lunch at 1:00 pm, then return and arrival in the city of Arequipa between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm.

• Meals: Breakfast.