Overview
This Colca Canyon 2 day tour from Arequipa is the easiest way to see the canyon without rushing. On day 1 you cross the high Andes past vicuñas and volcanoes, relax in the La Calera hot springs and spend the night in Chivay. On day 2 you watch the Andean condors at Cruz del Condor in the morning, when they fly best, and return to Arequipa in the late afternoon. There is no hard hiking: only short walks at the viewpoints and villages.
Tour at a Glance
| Duration | 2 days, 1 night |
|---|---|
| Start | Hotel pickup in Arequipa between 7:30 and 8:00 am |
| Return | Drop-off at your hotel in Arequipa between 5:00 and 6:00 pm on day 2 |
| Route | Arequipa – Patapampa – Chivay – Cruz del Condor – Chivay – Arequipa, about 330 km |
| Highest point | Patapampa pass, about 4,900 m |
| Overnight | Chivay, 3,635 m, in the hotel category you choose |
| Level | Easy; short walks only |
| Departures | Daily |
The Route
The road climbs out of Arequipa with the volcanoes Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu behind you and crosses the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where vicuñas and llamas graze by the road. The highest point is the Patapampa pass, known as the Mirador de los Volcanes, where on a clear day you see a line of peaks including Ampato, Sabancaya and Hualca Hualca.
From there the road descends to Chivay, the main town of the Colca valley. In the afternoon you visit the La Calera hot springs, thermal pools at about 38 °C, three kilometers from town, ideal after the drive.
On day 2 we follow the valley west through Yanque, Maca and Pinchollo, villages with colonial churches surrounded by pre-Inca terraces that local families still farm. Cruz del Condor, about 50 km from Chivay, is the classic viewpoint over a canyon about 3,270 meters deep, more than twice the depth of the Grand Canyon. Andean condors, with wingspans of up to 3.2 meters, ride the morning air currents here, usually between 8:00 and 10:00 am, often passing a few meters from the wall.
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 in Chivay.
- 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 who want to see Colca Canyon comfortably and return to Arequipa. If you are continuing to Lake Titicaca, choose the 2-day Colca Canyon tour from Arequipa to Puno, which ends in Puno. If you want to hike into the canyon, choose the Colca Canyon trek 2 days from Arequipa. If you only have one day, see the Colca Canyon 1 day tour.
What Is Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Arequipa
- Tourist transport
- Professional bilingual guide
- One night in Chivay in the hotel category you choose
- Breakfast at the hotel on day 2, if you choose a hotel
Not Included
- Colca Canyon tourist ticket (paid in cash)
- Lunch on both days and dinner on day 1
- Entrance to the La Calera hot springs
- Drinks and tips
What to Bring
- Warm clothes for the Patapampa pass and the early morning at Cruz del Condor
- 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
Is the 2 day Colca Canyon tour worth it?
Yes. It gives you time for the hot springs, a night in the valley and the condors at Cruz del Condor in the morning, without the very early start and long day of the 1-day tour.
What time does the tour start and finish?
Pickup at your hotel in Arequipa is between 7:30 and 8:00 am on day 1. You return to your hotel in Arequipa between 5:00 and 6:00 pm on day 2.
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 tour difficult?
No. You only walk short distances at the viewpoints and villages. The main challenge is the altitude, so spend at least a day or two in Arequipa first.
Is the Colca tourist ticket included?
No. You pay the Colca tourist ticket in cash during the tour. Bring your passport.
Can I end the tour in Puno instead of Arequipa?
Yes. Choose our 2-day Colca Canyon tour from Arequipa to Puno, which follows the same route and finishes in Puno.