The Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons on the planet, is an exceptional natural setting where the Andes reveal their full greatness. During this 3-day trek, you will hike along ancient trails surrounded by volcanoes, natural viewpoints, and villages that maintain living traditions. The route offers the perfect balance of adventure, culture, and relaxation.
Throughout the journey, you will have the opportunity to spot the majestic Andean condor, symbol of the South American skies, as well as vicuñas, alpacas, and llamas grazing freely in the highlands. You will cross pre-Inca terraces—true masterpieces of agricultural engineering still in use—and visit communities where you can interact with local families and learn about their way of life.
The trek also takes you to the warm oasis of Sangalle, a green paradise in the middle of the canyon, where you can relax in natural swimming pools. Finally, the experience ends with a restorative bath in the La Calera Hot Springs, perfect for resting your body after several days of trekking.
This journey combines nature, culture, and breathtaking scenery, becoming a transformative experience for any trekking and adventure enthusiast visiting Peru.
We begin the adventure very early, picking you up from your hotel around 4:00 a.m. and heading toward the majestic Colca Valley. The trip to Chivay takes approximately three hours, passing through the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where you’ll see wild vicuñas—considered the camelids with the finest fiber in the world. We also cross through Cañahuas plains and continue up to Patapampa, the highest point of the route at 4,900 m (16,076 ft), offering spectacular views of the Ampato, Sabancaya and Misti volcanoes.
After enjoying a hot breakfast in Chivay, we continue to Cabanaconde. Along the way, we stop at the famous Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, one of the best places on the continent to observe the flight of the Andean condor—the emblem of the Andes. We continue driving through the valley, surrounded by pre-Inca agricultural terraces still in use today, a true achievement of ancient engineering.
Around 10:00 a.m., we arrive in Cabanaconde (3,400 m / 11,154 ft), where our trek begins. The descent takes about three hours, covering roughly 6 km through trails that pass different ecological zones—from arid terrain to more tropical vegetation as we descend. Once at the bottom of the canyon, we cross a hanging bridge and walk for one more hour, reaching the small village of San Juan de Chuccho (2,440 m / 8,005 ft).
We stay in a traditional family-run lodge. After settling in, you’ll have free time to explore the village, interact with the local community, and enjoy a homemade dinner prepared with valley-grown products.
After breakfast, we begin hiking toward the neighboring villages. The first section is a moderate ascent to Cosñirhua (2,660 m / 8,727 ft), where you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the canyon and learn about ancient agricultural systems that are still used today.
We continue toward Malata (2,640 m / 8,661 ft), a picturesque village where you can appreciate traditional architecture and learn more about rural life in the Colca Valley. From Malata, we start the descent to Sangalle, also known as The Oasis. This stretch is approximately 3.5 km and takes about two hours.
Sangalle is a warm natural retreat with palm trees, lush vegetation, and natural pools of temperate water—perfect to relax after a day of trekking. The water temperature averages 18°C (64°F).
We will spend the night in a simple lodge operated by local families, surrounded by an extraordinary natural landscape.
We begin very early, departing around 4:00 a.m. after a cup of coffee to start the final ascent to Cabanaconde. This last climb is demanding, covering 3.3 km, and takes between 4 and 5 hours depending on the group’s pace. As we gain altitude, the sunrise slowly lights up the canyon, offering one of the most unforgettable views of the entire trek.
Once in Cabanaconde, we enjoy a well-deserved breakfast and then take our transport to Chivay, where we will have the option to visit the La Calera hot springs, with natural pools reaching temperatures between 35°C and 40°C (95°F–104°F). The entrance ticket is not included, but it’s highly recommended for relaxing your muscles.
We may also stop for lunch in Chivay (optional) before starting the return drive to Arequipa. Along the way, we continue passing traditional Andean crops such as quinoa, kiwicha, corn, and potatoes planted on agricultural terraces that date back hundreds of years. We arrive back in the city around 4:30 p.m., marking the end of an unforgettable journey through one of Peru’s most spectacular valleys.
Includes transportation, specialized guide, full meals, accommodation in local family lodges, and all trekking logistics.
Rates are valid for the current season and apply to regular departures.
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