Overview
This Colca Canyon tour from Arequipa to Puno is the one-way version of the classic 2-day tour, made for travelers heading to Lake Titicaca. You visit the canyon, relax in the hot springs, spend a night in the valley and watch the condors at Cruz del Condor, and then continue across the altiplano to Puno instead of returning to Arequipa. Your luggage travels with you the whole way, so the canyon becomes part of your journey between the two cities.
Tour at a Glance
| Duration | 2 days, 1 night |
|---|---|
| Start | Hotel pickup in Arequipa at around 7:30 am |
| End | Puno at around 6:30 pm on day 2: your hotel, the main square or the bus terminal |
| Route | Arequipa – Patapampa – Chivay – Cruz del Condor – Chivay – Lagunillas – Puno |
| Highest point | Patapampa pass, 4,910 m |
| Overnight | Chivay or Yanque, in the hotel category you choose |
| Level | Easy; short walks only |
| Luggage | Travels with you from Arequipa to Puno |
Why End in Puno
Most travelers go from Arequipa to Puno anyway, and the direct bus takes most of a day with nothing to see on the way. On this tour you spend the same travel time visiting Colca Canyon, and you arrive in Puno in the evening, ready for a boat trip the next day to the Uros, Taquile or Amantani islands, or a homestay in Llachon or Luquina.
The Route
The road climbs out of Arequipa through the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve, home to vicuñas and Andean geese, with the Misti and Chachani volcanoes behind you. The highest point is the Patapampa pass, at 4,910 m, where eight volcanoes are visible on a clear day, among them Ampato and Sabancaya, and the ground is covered with apachetas, the stone stacks left by travelers.
In Chivay you have the afternoon to explore the town or relax in the La Calera hot springs. On day 2 we follow the valley past Yanque, Maca and Pinchollo, where pre-Inca terraces are still farmed by local families, to Cruz del Condor. The canyon is about 3,270 m deep here, and Andean condors, with wingspans of up to 3.2 m, ride the air currents along the rim, most reliably between 8:00 and 10:00 am.
After lunch in Chivay the route heads northeast across the open puna toward Imata, above 4,000 meters, past alpaca herds and the Lagunillas lakes, where flamingos feed in the shallow water, and descends to Puno on the shore of Lake Titicaca.
Choose Your Hotel in Chivay
The base price does not include accommodation, so you choose the hotel that suits you in the booking form:
- Without hotel: you arrange your own accommodation.
- Basic hotel: Estancia or similar.
- Standard hotel: Colca Inn, Colca Llaqta, Pozo del Cielo, Tradición Colca, Casona Plaza or similar.
- Superior hotel: Colca Lodge, Aranwa or similar.
If you prefer a specific hotel, tell us after booking and we will confirm it according to availability.
Is This Tour for You?
This tour suits travelers going from Arequipa to Lake Titicaca who want to see Colca Canyon comfortably. If you want to hike into the canyon on the way, choose the Colca Canyon trek from Arequipa to Puno. If you are returning to Arequipa, choose the Colca Canyon 2 day tour from Arequipa. Traveling the other way? See the Colca Canyon tour from Puno to Arequipa.
What Is Included
- Hotel pickup in Arequipa
- Transport from Arequipa to Colca Canyon and on to Puno
- English and Spanish speaking guide
- One night in Chivay or Yanque in the hotel category you choose
- Breakfast at the hotel on day 2, if you choose a hotel
- Drop-off in Puno at your hotel, the main square or the bus terminal
Not Included
- Colca Canyon tourist ticket (S/ 70, paid in cash)
- Lunch on both days and dinner on day 1
- Entrance to the La Calera hot springs
- Extra expenses and tips
What to Bring
- Warm clothes for Patapampa, the early morning at Cruz del Condor and the altiplano
- Swimwear and a towel for the hot springs
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Cash in soles for the tourist ticket, meals and the hot springs
- Your passport, which is checked with the tourist ticket
How to Book
Choose your date, number of travelers and hotel category in the booking box on this page and complete the form. We confirm your reservation and send you the pickup details for your hotel in Arequipa. Compare all our options on the Colca Canyon tours page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit Colca Canyon on the way from Arequipa to Puno?
Yes. This 2-day tour starts in Arequipa, visits Colca Canyon with a night in Chivay, and ends in Puno in the evening of day 2.
What time do we arrive in Puno?
At around 6:30 pm on day 2. We drop you at your hotel, the main square or the bus terminal in Puno.
What happens to my luggage?
Your luggage travels with you in the vehicle from Arequipa to Puno.
Is the hotel included?
The base price does not include the hotel. In the booking form you choose a basic, standard or superior hotel in Chivay, or no hotel.
Will I see condors?
We reach Cruz del Condor in the morning, the best time to see them. Sightings are very likely but cannot be guaranteed, because condors are wild animals.
Is the Colca tourist ticket included?
No. The Colca tourist ticket costs S/ 70 and is paid in cash. Bring your passport.
Is this better than the direct bus from Arequipa to Puno?
If you have one extra day, yes. The direct bus takes most of a day with no stops of interest, while this tour adds the hot springs, Cruz del Condor and the altiplano lakes on the way.