Description
Day 1: Arequipa City to Colca Canyon Valley We pick you up from your hostel or hotel in Arequipa between 07:30 am and 08:20 am, and depart by bus on your excursion towards the Colca Valley. We will drive across Pampa Cañahuas in the Aguada Blanca National Reserve which is home to herds of vicuñas, llamas, and alpacas, so you can stop to get that all-important selfie with an Alpaca! We also stop at the Mirador de Los Andes, the crater of Chucura, and the Mirador de Chivay to get some incredible photos on the way to our final destination, Chivay.
We arrive in Chivay at around 13:00 pm where we will have some lunch and check in to your basic hotel for the night. You then have the option to visit the local hot springs if you want, or simply explore the small but picturesque town of Chivay. Later in the evening, you will meet for dinner with your guide and go to visit a local Peruvian folklore show, where you will be encouraged (and sometimes forced) to partake in the local dancing and singing! An early night is recommended, so try to avoid the local Irish bar!
Day 2: Colca Canyon Valley to Condor’s Cross to Arequipa After an early breakfast (around 06:00 am), we depart to the “Condor’s Cross” from where we will hopefully see the world-famous Andean Condor birds fly majestically above us as they rise up from the Canyon. We will take you to different viewpoints of the Canyon to allow you to explore and appreciate the sheer size of this incredible canyon (the second deepest in the world!). On the way back to Chivay, we stop at the town of Yanque, visit its beautiful church and its characteristic stone streets among other attractions. To have spectacular views of the Colca Valley, we will drive to the observation points of Choquetico and Artahuilque where you can see pre-Inca tombs and mock-ups of the terraces, so make sure you save plenty of space in your memory card for these amazing places.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we return to the city of Arequipa, arriving at approx. 17:30 pm where we will drop you off at your hotel or hostel.
INCLUDED
- Private transport to and from Arequipa
- English speaking local guide
- 1-night accommodation in Chivay “La Estancia” (basic private room hostel)
- Breakfast in Chivay
NOT INCLUDED
- The government enforced tourist entrance tax for the Colca:
Foreigners 13 years of age and above: 70 soles (approx. USD $25)
South American 13 years of age and above: 40 soles (approx. USD $15)
National 13years of age and above: 20 soles (approx. USD $8)
Children (All Nationalities) under 13years of age: 5 soles (approx. USD $2)
Note: Not included in any tours, as it is illegal to include it - Lunch and dinner (cultural song and dance show is part of dinner; cost is approx. 30 soles)
- Optional entrance to the hot springs and thermal baths – 15 soles (approx. USD $5)
Note:
– The official Colca Canyon entrance tax of 70 soles is not included in the ticket price. This must be paid on the tour.
– For those that wish to finish in Puno: On return to Chivay at 1 pm, there will just be 15 minutes for lunch before departing to Puno. Arrival time in Puno is 7 pm, and the drop off point is at Puno Plaza de Armas.
– Do not forget to bring clothes for wet weather during the rainy season of March and April (these are available to rent or buy in Arequipa).
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