Colca Valley Tour Arequipa
Summary of the Colca Valley tour
Day 1: Arrival in Arequipa
- Reception at Arequipa Airport.
- Transfer and accommodation at the hotel.
- Free time to acclimate and rest.
Day 2: Sillar Route
- Excursion to the Añashuayco quarry to explore the Sillar Route.
- Explanation of the extraction and carving process of sillar, the typical white volcanic stone from Arequipa.
- Visit to the Culebrillas Gorge, home to pre-Inca petroglyphs.
- Return to the hotel and free time.
Day 3: Arequipa – Chivay (Colca Valley)
- Departure towards Chivay, passing through the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve.
- Stops at viewpoints to see volcanoes and vicuñas.
- Arrival in Chivay, hotel accommodation.
- Free time to visit the La Calera Hot Springs.
Day 4: Chivay – Colca Canyon
- Visit to the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint to see condors flying over the Colca Canyon.
- Stops at viewpoints to enjoy the canyon views.
- Visit to typical villages like Yanque and Maca.
- Return to Arequipa.
Day 5: Return Trip
- Transfer to Arequipa Airport for the return flight to Lima
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Arequipa
Upon your arrival in the city of Arequipa, our staff will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign displaying your name to give you a warm welcome to the "White City" of Arequipa and transfer you to your hotel, where you will be offered a traditional coca tea as a welcome drink.
Day 2: Sillar Route
We begin our tour departing from the historic center towards the quarries. Along the way, our professional guide will provide information about the construction using volcanic rock (Sillar). Our first stop will be at a viewpoint located between the towns of Cayma and Zamacola, where you will be able to admire the three volcanoes: Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu, where we will take panoramic 360° photos. We will continue to the Sillar quarries, the birthplace of the "White City," and enter the quarries where we will observe the vast cliffs shaped by human hands. Then, we will have a hands-on experience to interact with the workers who still practice the ancient technique of extracting the Sillar stone, which has been preserved since the colonial period. We will continue the journey and board our transport to visit the Virgen de Culebrillas quarry, where we will take a fascinating 20-minute walk. Within Culebrillas, we will experience a mysterious and unique environment where we can see the presence of pre-Inca petroglyphs, which take us back to the ancient beliefs of the people who considered this a sacred place with pink walls. We will also see the presence of Apacheras and learn about their symbolism, with the opportunity to create our own Apacheta. After the walk, we will return to the city center by bus.
Day 3: Arequipa - Overnight in Chivay
At 8:00 am, we begin our journey to one of the deepest and most beautiful canyons in the world. Our operational base will be the town of Chivay, which we will reach in approximately 4 hours, including all tourist stops. The first stop will be Pampa Cañahuas, where we can appreciate the vicuñas that inhabit the area. After this, we will visit Patahuasi to enjoy the traditional coca tea, an essential drink to help with altitude sickness (Soroche). We will make a brief stop at the Toccra wetlands to see many alpacas grazing freely in the area. A mandatory stop at the Volcanoes Viewpoint, the highest point of the road at 4,800 meters above sea level, offers views of the western mountain range. From here, it’s only 40 minutes to the town of Chivay.
At 12:30 pm, we will arrive in Chivay and enjoy a delicious lunch (at your own expense). After lunch, we will check in at our respective hotels. In the afternoon, we will have the opportunity to relax with a bath in the thermal baths (optional, at your own expense), with water temperatures ranging from 35°C to 38°C.
Day 4: Chivay - Colca Canyon
After breakfast, we will head to the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, located 30 minutes away. This is the observation point for the Colca Canyon and the spectacular flight of the Andean Condor. We will spend about 45 minutes here to admire the beauty of the Colca Canyon.
On the way back, we will stop at the area’s viewpoints to observe the impressive terraces of the valley, and in the town of Maca, where we will visit its church and optionally taste local drinks like Colca Sour, made with local products.
Day 5: Travel from Arequipa to Lima
After breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport for your flight to Lima.
Includes:
- Private transportation service
- One night accommodation in Arequipa
- Entrance to SILLAR
- Entrance to the Thermal Baths - La Calera
- Buffet lunch and dinner show in Chivay
- Tourist transport
- Professional guide
- Entrance to the Colca Valley
Does not include:
- Breakfast at the hotel
We recommend bringing:
- Thermal clothing for the cold
- Suitable walking shoes
- Rain poncho
- Hat and sunscreen
- Personal medications
- Camera
- Extra money in soles
Frequently Asked Questions about the Colca Valley Tour
What clothing should I bring for the tour?
It is recommended to bring light clothing for the day and warm clothing for the night, as temperatures in the Colca Valley and Colca Canyon can be cold. It is also suggested to bring a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable footwear for hiking.
Is it necessary to acclimate before visiting the Colca Valley?
Although it is not strictly necessary, it is recommended to spend at least one day in Arequipa to acclimate to the altitude (2,335 meters above sea level) before heading to the Colca Valley, which is at a higher altitude.
Is this tour suitable for people of all ages?
Yes, the tour is suitable for people of all ages. However, individuals with mobility issues or specific health conditions should inform us in advance so we can adapt the activities accordingly.
What is the best time of year to take this tour?
The tour can be done year-round, but the best time is between April and October, during the dry season, when the weather conditions are ideal for visits to the Colca Valley and Colca Canyon.
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