Arequipa & Colca Canyon Tour
Tour Overview
The city of Arequipa, re-founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1540 with intent to strategically establish a stronghold in Southern Peru, is famous for its colonial charm and pristine buildings molded out of white volcanic stone known as sillar, earning it the allusive sobriquet, ‘White City’. Surrounded by Southern Peru’s 3 snow-capped volcanic giants – Misti, Chachani, and Pichupichu – Arequipa will gift you with some of the most stunning sights that Peru has to offer!
Colca Canyon, your second destination on this 2 day tour, is a gaping chasm of adventure. At 3,400m deep, Colca Canyon is nearly twice as deep as America’s famed Grand Canyon. An often overlooked destination in Peru, Colca Canyon offers an amazing hiking experience, sightings of Condors – one of the world’s largest flying birds – as well as a dip in the riverside hot springs in the village of Llahuar. A trek down the canyon will take you to the low lying backpackers resort village of Sangalle.
The Arequipa City and Colca Canyon Tour is a truly immersive experience of Peru and her culture.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Day 1: Arequipa, City Tour, Colca Canyon
After picking you up from your hotel, we’ll kickstart the day’s tour of the stunning city of Arequipa which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. We’ll start from the Yanahuara and Carment Alto Viewpoints. From here, you’ll be gifted with sweeping vistas of Arequipa’s cityscape, flanked by massive and mammoth volcanos that lay, at rest, on the horizon.
Then it’s off to the Historical Center of Arequipa, or Plaza de Armas, to glean insights into the city’s architectural design, which has oft been characterized by colonial buildings made of white volcanic stone known as sillar, and the Basilica Cathedral.
Our guide will then take you on a tour of the famous Santa Catalina Monastery. Built in 1579 and founded by doña María de Guzmán, this Monastery was home to around 450 people who entered into a life of service to the church.
After the quaint and captivating tour of Santa Catalina Monastery’s enchanting architecture and history, we’ll visit Church Compañia of Jesus and finally the colorful Cupola of San Ignacio.
Then we’ll be off on a 4 hour van ride to Colca Canyon where you’ll spend the night at a 3 star hotel.
Day 2: Day 2: Colca Canyon, Arequipa
On day 2 of your tour, we’ll pick you up from your hotel and head to the Cruz del Condor in Colca Canyon, soaking up stunning sites of the Chachani and Pichupichu Volcanos along the way.
Once you reach Colca Canyon you’ll be treated to an amazing hiking experience, sightings of Condors as well as a dip in the riverside hot springs in the village of Llahuar (optional). Nearly twice as deep as America’s Grand Canyon, you’ll be able to take mind-blowing pictures of Colca Canyon, one of Peru’s most iconic travel destinations.
We’ll then head to Chivay, a southern Peruvian town nestled in the Colca Valley considered to be the gateway to Colca Canyon. Then it’s off to the Antahulique viewpoint where you’ll be granted stunning views of ancient terraces.
As the day draws to a close, we’ll take a 4 hour van ride back to Arequipa, where we’ll drop you off safely at your hotel.
What's Included
- All transportation provided including pick up and drop off at your hotel
- Professional guide
- Entrance fee to Monastery of Santa Catalina
- Entrance fee to Church Compañia of Jesus
- Entrance fee to Colca Canyon
- 1 night’s stay at a 3 star hotel in Colca Canyon
- Hot springs
Packing List
- Water
- Sunglasses and retainer strap
- Sunblock and lip balm
- Personal first aid kit
- Hand sanitizer
- Sun hat
- Camera
- Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
- 2: T-shirts
- 2 pairs: Hiking pants or other comfortable pants
- 1: Jacket
- 2 sets: Undergarments
- 1 pair: Short
- 3 pairs: Socks
- 1: Sweater
- 1: Swimsuit
- Comfortable shoes (walking shoes, sandals or other comfortable footwear)
- Flipflops
- Drinks
- Tip or gratitude
- Souvenirs
Traveler Reviews
Anthony K
20/04/2025"We went with Jose Luis on the 2-Day Colca Canyon Trek and had a phenomenal time.The trip was well planned with food and accommodations. Everything was described clearly and succinctly during the intro briefing where we met other members of our group and the guides. The trip itself included a shuttle ride through the High Andes, a visit to the Cruz del Cóndor, a challenging hike down into the canyon, a stay in the Sangalle Oasis, and an early morning ascent.The guides were very knowledgeable about the Colca Valley’s history and geology, and additionally provided a nice sense of humor throughout the adventure.Overall would recommend this trip to visitors interested in experiencing the Colca Canyon."
