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Hiking in Colca Canyon is one of the most popular activities in Arequipa, Peru, and the reason why many tourists come to this city.
It’s the world’s second deepest canyon and reaches an amazing 11,400 ft. at its greatest depth. (The deepest canyon is in Tibet, and the Grand Canyon in the US ranks 4th). Of course, Daniel and I had to go check it out!
Thinking of crossing this adventure off of your Peru bucket list? Here is my review of the 2-day / 1-night trek and everything you can expect when you go hiking in Colca Canyon.
The Stats
Time: We were picked up at 3 am in Arequipa on the first day, and returned to the city at 5 pm on day two.
Distance: The first day hiking in Colca Canyon we walked 13.5 miles, and the second we walked 9 miles.
Altitude: The trek started at 10,700 ft. From there, we descended into the canyon down to the oasis at 7,300 ft. Just remember, the next day you will have to climb right back out of it!
How much does it cost to go hiking in Colca Canyon?
Daniel and I paid 100 soles / 30 usd per person for the tour, plus another 70 soles / 21 usd per person for the tourist ticket for entrance into the canyon.
This tour price includes transportation, breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the first day, breakfast on the second day, a place to sleep, and a guide. However, we also spent money on extra costs like buying water on the trek, a tip for the guide, and lunch on the last day.
If you want to do a tour instead of hiking in Colca Canyon your own, they’re easy to book at any tour agency in Arequipa’s city center.
Day One: The Descent Into the Oasis
Day one of hiking in Colca Canyon started at 3 am, just like most tours in Peru.
The van picked us up and then made its rounds to the hostels slowly filling up with fellow travelers. Once we were done, we started the drive out to Chivay, the gateway into Colca Canyon. On the way, we passed the highest altitude we would reach on the trip at 15,700 ft.
Three hours later we stopped in Chivay for a quick breakfast, and then continued another hour to our first stop at 8:30 am – the Cruz del Condor.
Cruz del Condor Stop
The Cruz del Condor is a popular lookout in Colca Canyon. The high point offers stunning views of the depth of the gorge and is a perfect place to spot the giant condors who live there.
Condors are a species of vulture and they. are. huge.
They’re the largest flying birds in the western hemisphere, and you’re all but guaranteed to spot a couple at the canyon lookout.
Watching the giant birds glide over the depths of the canyon was a pretty cool experience, and definitely a must for any avid bird watchers who are visiting the country.
The Start of the Trek
Next, we drove another hour to the starting point of the trek: the town of Cabanaconde.
Here, we were split into new groups of about ten each and were introduced to our tour guides. We walked to the edge of the Colca Canyon and began the 2.5 hour descent to the bottom.
The descent was hot and sunny, but the views were beautiful. It started off gradually enough but then quickly turned into switchbacks down the canyonside.
Once we reached the bottom, we had a rest next to the rushing Colca River and then it was another 30 minutes of up and down hiking until our lunch break.
Lunch was in a cute restaurant with plenty of green space, flowers, and beautiful views, and was a perfect midday rest.
Afterward, we walked another 2 hours up and down the side of the canyon until we finally descended into the oasis.
Reaching Sangalle Oasis
The Sangalle Oasis has to be seen to be believed.
The small circle of greenery is like a lush Garden of Eden. Flowers bloomed in every color and multiple pools sparkled in the sun while waterfalls rushed into them. It was like another world, a true oasis tucked away between the high stone walls of Colca Canyon.
Unfortunately, we arrived around 5 pm so we couldn’t take advantage of the pools in the hot sun. Still, though, we had a few hours to relax and then it was dinner, a beer or two, and bed by 8 pm.
Before we passed out in the basic (but comfortable) bed, Daniel and I took a minute to stargaze.
The night sky from the bottom of Colca Canyon is absolutely stunning.
I’ve been to 25 countries in my life, but I’ve never, ever been somewhere with stars like this. Millions dotted the night sky and the milky way glowed brightly in the sea of stars, outshining them all.
Honestly, the ten minutes of star gazing that we got while hiking in Colca Canyon may just be my favorite part of the trip. If you decide to go, make time to look up once or twice before you go to bed!
Day Two: The Climb and Return to Arequipa
Day two of our trek began at 4 am.
We met the rest of the group at 4:30 and started the uphill hike back out of the Canyon. We returned by a different and shorter route than we came in, and it took about 3 hours to climb it.
We began in the dark, with cool temperatures and the headlights of the groups ahead of us bobbing in the night like shining stars. Soon, the sun began to rise and the canyon lit up. The hike was timed perfectly, and we reached the top just as the heat of the day began to reach us.
The climb itself wasn’t too strenuous, and despite being only uphill the switchbacks were nice and wide and the temps were nice. To be honest, it was much more pleasant than I expected.
Hiking in Colca Canyon was just difficult enough to feel like an achievement, but easy enough that we weren’t completely wiped out by the time we reached the top (unlike our harrowing experience on Misti Volcano).
Once Daniel and I completed the climb, it was another 20 minutes of walking back to Cabanaconde where a hot breakfast of bread, eggs, and some much needed coffee awaited us. At 9 am we began the long drive home, with a few stops in between of course.
Pre-Incan Terraces
The first stop was to take pictures at a part of Colca valley filled with pre-Incan terraces.
The view was a great photo op and there was even a small bar selling pisco sours for those really trying to relax after the climb.
Hot Springs
The next stop was at the optional hot springs.
The springs run into pools along the Colca River, and for a 15 sole / 5 usd entrance fee you can use the changing rooms and take a dip in pools of all temperatures. We stopped at the springs for about an hour to soak after the long hike.
Lunch in Chivay
The third stop on the way home from hiking in Colca Canyon is again in the town of Chivay.
Here there is the non-included lunch buffet for 30 soles / 10 usd. However, there are other restaurants to eat at around the town, but Daniel and I can’t recommend any because we chose to pack a lunch instead.
Chivay is also where a lot of travelers split from the group and continue on to Puno to see Lake Titicaca rather than backtrack to Arequipa.
Combining your Colca Canyon tour with Lake Titicaca is efficient and cost effective if you’re planning to visit them both.
Volcano Views
Our final stops were just quick 10-minute stops to take photos. The first was at a volcano lookout.
We could see different volcanos in every direction, including the erupting Sabancaya Volcano. It looked like a martian landscape surrounded us, with gray ash and dust, the smoking volcano, and piles of stacked rocks in every direction. Spooky.
Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve
For our last stop, we pulled over when we passed through the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve.
Pools of water and herds of alpacas and llamas dominated the landscape. We were even lucky enough to spot some flamingos and wild vincunya on the drive through as well. It was beautiful!
Finally, we completed the drive back to Arequipa.
We got back to the city at 5 pm, ready for dinner and a lazy night watching TV in our apartment. Hiking in Colca Canyon is an easy weekend trip, and we had a great time.
The unique oasis, condor spottings, and trek into the second deepest canyon in the world make it a must visit for any tourist in Arequipa, and one that I definitely recommend!
Ready to go?
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This article is part of the Awesome Arequipa series. Read the rest below:
Everything You Need to Know to Visit Lake Titicaca from Arequipa
Is Climbing El Misti Volcano Right for You? Read This First
Then explore the complete Peru series for more tips on what to see, do, eat, drink, and discover in the country.
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Rebecca be jellin because you saw giant condors.
This is super helpful! I am planning a trip to Peru in July and wondering if it is possible to do a guided hike of Colca Canyon in one day (arrive in Arequipa on day 1, spend the night, hike day 2, depart for Cusco day 3). Do you think it is possible/a good idea to try and do it in one day? Would we lose out on any great experiences by doing so? Thanks so much!
Hey Emily! Honestly, I don’t think it’s possible to do the Colca Canyon trek in one day because it’s really far from Arequipa. We were picked up at 3am for our tour on the first day, and then woke up at 4am on day two to finish the hike and still didn’t return to Arequipa until 5pm. The tours have some extra stuff though, like Condor Canyon, but I don’t think hiking it on your own would work in one day either. However, why not arrive in Arequipa on day one, leave for the hike on day two, return on day three and take a night bus to Cusco that same night? It looks like Cruz del Sur has an 8:30pm option that could definitely work.
Hi im just wondering witch is the best company do too the trek with. Thanks
In Peru most companies combine tours, so it’s common to be in the same group with people who booked at different agencies (and paid different prices). We used an agency in the top left corner of the main square. There are a lot of options in the square, and I’m sure with most of them you will end up on the same tour no matter where you book it. Just remember that you should pay around 100 soles each so you don’t get ripped off, but otherwise your trip will probably be the same no matter what agency you choose!
Which company did you use for the trek?
I don’t know the name, just that the agency was near the city center. Stop in a few different shops to see prices before you book with one and you should be able to land a pretty good deal. All of the tours are very similar.