Be sure not to miss out on the Colca Canyon Tour on your next trip to Peru!
Colca Canyon, also known as Valle del Colca, is famed as the world’s deepest river canyon with a depth of 3, 270m and it’s also a popular location to watch the Cruz del Condor (flight of the Condors).
Having experienced a Canyon Colca Tour first-hand, I have put together this detailed guide with everything you need to know about a 1 Day Colca Canyon Tour including where to book and what to expect!
WHERE IS COLCA CANYON?
Colca Canyon is located in Chivay, Peru.
Click here to see the location on Google maps.
Most Colca Canyon Tours operate out of Arequipa, a beautiful city in southern Peru.
The journey from Arequipa to Colca Canyon is approximately a 3.5-hour drive to reach the starting point of Valle del Colca in the Chivay region.
WHERE TO BOOK TOURS OF COLCA CANYON
There are dozens of tour operators and offices located in Arequipa to book a Colca Tour, but in my experience, it can be overwhelming trying to decide which operator to book a tour without being ripped off.
Alternatively, you can book Colca Canyon Tours online in advance to avoid the hassle of having to organize a trip once you have arrived in Arequipa.
I recommend finding a tour that best suits you on the Get Your Guide website. They have several Colca Canyon Tours available including 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day tours, Colca Canyon trek options, and much more!
Click Here to search for all Tours Colca Canyon and book online ahead of time!
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BEST TIME TO VISIT
It’s possible to visit Valle del Colca any time of the year, though it’s recommended to tour Colca Canyon between March and June when the Condors are most active.
You’ll want to avoid the rainy season at Colca Canyon which is from December to March.
Colca Canyon’s altitude is 3,500m above sea level so you may feel some lightheadedness. Be prepared with any medications to prevent altitude sickness and bring warm clothing.
Book Now → Colca Canyon Tour
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WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE COLCA CANYON TOUR
The Colca Canyon Tour from Arequipa starts bright and early at around 3 am for a hotel pick-up. The drive out to Colca Canyon in the minivan takes around three and a half hours to reach the town of Chivay and this is where breakfast is included before beginning the Colca Canyon one day tour.
After breakfast in Chivay, the Colca Tour continues along a winding mountain road, deep into the Colca Valley with several stops along the way at scenic viewpoints overlooking the most incredible landscapes!
It’s difficult to get a clear perspective of the entire Colca Canyon, that’s why there are many lookout points to check out on this route.
RELATED ARTICLE: 3-WEEK PERU BACKPACKING ITINERARY
The minivan then makes a two-hour stop at the most famous viewpoint, Cruz del Condor, and this is where you can spot the flight of the world’s largest flying bird, the Condor.
With a wingspan of more than 3m, weighing up to 15kg, and standing 1.2m tall, these raptors are truly a magnificent sight to see.
There are a number of walking trails and dozens of lookout points to explore while on tour, each of which boasts unreal views up and down the valley!
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If you are wanting to capture good pictures of the flight of the Condor then you’ll need a decent zoom lens on your camera. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the right lens on my camera to get any decent photos of the Condor though it was an incredible experience seeing three or four Condors circling the skies above my head!
The Colca Tour continues back to Chivay for lunch and a short wander around the small village town markets before making the long drive back to Arequipa.
Find All → Hostels & Hotels in Arequipa
On the road between Colca Canyon and Arequipa, the minivan will stop at the Patapampa viewpoint, also known as Mirador de Los Andes, for majestic views of the Cordillera and surrounding volcanic landscapes. This is also the highest point on the tour sitting at 4,910m above sea level.
The tour arrives back in Arequipa between 5 pm and 6 pm with a drop-off at requested hotels. I recommend spending the night here before going back from Arequipa to Cusco.
WHERE TO STAY IN AREQUIPA
Arequipa has hundreds of accommodation options to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of my favorite places to stay before and after the tour to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between. See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Queen’s Villa Hotel Boutique
Mid-range: Casona Plaza Hotel Arequipa
Budget: Selina Arequipa
For all other Arequipa accommodations, Search on Booking.com
WHAT TO PACK FOR PERU
When visiting Peru, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:
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More Peru Travel Guides
Click the button below to view all articles related to Peru!
FINAL THOUGHTS – COLCA CANYON TOURS
If you have any questions at all about the tours of Colca Canyon, please leave me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can. For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
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THANKS FOR READING
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