Overview
This Colca Canyon 1 day tour from Arequipa is the fastest way to see the canyon and its condors. You leave Arequipa before dawn, cross the high Andes past vicuñas and volcanoes, and reach Cruz del Condor in the morning, when the condors fly over the canyon. On the way back you stop in the villages of the Colca valley and in Chivay, and you return to Arequipa in the evening.
It is a long day, with about 7 to 8 hours on the road, but it is the right choice if you only have one day. If you have two, our 2-day Colca Canyon tour is more relaxed and adds the hot springs and a night in the valley.
Tour at a Glance
| Duration | Full day, about 15 hours |
|---|---|
| Start | Hotel pickup in Arequipa at about 3:00 am |
| Return | Arequipa at about 6:00 pm |
| Route | Arequipa – Patapampa pass – Chivay – Cruz del Condor – Colca valley villages – Arequipa |
| Highest point | Patapampa pass, about 4,900 m |
| Level | Easy; short walks at the viewpoints |
| Group | Shared group or private tour |
| Departures | Daily |
Why Take the 1 Day Tour
If your time in Arequipa is short, this tour lets you see the highlights of Colca Canyon without spending a night away: the condors at Cruz del Condor, the pre-Inca terraces of the valley, the colonial villages and the high Andean landscapes on the way. The early start is what makes it possible to reach Cruz del Condor in the morning, when the condors are most active.
Altitude
The road climbs to about 4,900 meters at the Patapampa pass, and Chivay is at about 3,600 meters. Going up and down in one day is hard if you have just arrived in Peru. Spend at least two days in Arequipa first, drink plenty of water and avoid heavy meals the night before. If you are worried about the altitude, the 2-day tour is easier on your body.
What Is Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Arequipa
- Tourist transport
- Professional bilingual guide
- Breakfast in Chivay
- Visits to Cruz del Condor, the Colca valley viewpoints and villages
Not Included
- Colca tourist ticket (paid in cash on the day of the tour)
- Lunch in Chivay
- Entrance to the hot springs
- Tips
What to Bring
- Warm clothes: the early morning at the Patapampa pass is very cold.
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Water and snacks for the road.
- Cash in soles for the Colca tourist ticket, lunch and small purchases.
- Your passport, which is checked with the tourist ticket.
Other Colca Canyon Tours
If you want more time in the canyon, see our 2-day Colca Canyon tour from Arequipa, or the 2-day tour from Arequipa to Puno if you are continuing to Lake Titicaca. Compare all options on our Colca Canyon tours page.
How to Book
Choose your date and number of travelers in the booking box on this page and complete the form. We confirm your reservation and send you the pickup time for your hotel in Arequipa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you visit Colca Canyon in one day from Arequipa?
Yes. The tour leaves Arequipa at about 3:00 am, reaches Cruz del Condor in the morning and returns to Arequipa at about 6:00 pm.
Is the 1 day Colca Canyon tour worth it?
It is worth it if you only have one day. You see the condors and the main viewpoints, but you spend about 7 to 8 hours on the road. If you have two days, the 2-day tour is more relaxed.
Will I see condors on the 1 day tour?
The tour reaches Cruz del Condor in the morning, the best time to see condors. Sightings are very likely but cannot be guaranteed, because condors are wild animals.
Why does the tour start so early?
To reach Cruz del Condor in the morning, when the condors use the rising air to fly over the canyon. Later in the day they are seen less often.
Is the Colca tourist ticket included?
No. You pay the Colca tourist ticket in cash on the day of the tour. Bring your passport.
Is the altitude a problem?
The road reaches about 4,900 meters. Spend at least two days in Arequipa before the tour to adjust. If you are sensitive to altitude, choose the 2-day tour.