ColcaCanyon Arequipa
5
Day Itinerary •
Peru
Five days across Colca Canyon and Arequipa gives you the full extraordinary depth of the finest highland destination in southern Peru, from two full days exploring the White City's extraordinary colonial architecture, volcanic stone monasteries and gastronomy to the Andean condor flights above the second deepest canyon on earth, the extraordinary trek into the canyon floor and the high puna grasslands of the Peruvian Andes at 4,900 metres. This extended route covers the complete Colca and Arequipa experience. The full Santa Catalina Monastery, El Misti volcano approach, the Juanita ice maiden museum, two days in Colca Canyon with a trek to the canyon floor at Sangalle oasis, the Andean condor flight at Cruz del Condor, the extraordinary Collagua and Cabana villages, and the finest Arequipena cuisine in the region.
Best Time To Visit
May to November, dry season for condors and trekking
Getting There
Fly into Arequipa Rodriguez Ballon Airport (AQP)
Getting Around
Private car with driver for Colca, walking in Arequipa
Budget Per Day
Approx 60 to 150 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate to challenging, canyon floor trek at altitude
DAY 1
AREQUIPA
MORNING
SANTA CATALINA MONASTERY
The most extraordinary religious complex in Peru, a 16th-century Carmelite convent covering two city blocks that functioned as a completely self-contained community for nearly 400 years. Inside the extraordinary whitewashed sillar volcanic stone walls lie streets, plazas, cloisters, chapels and gardens of extraordinary beauty. The extraordinary colour-washed streets of cobalt blue, terracotta and cream are unlike any monastery in the Americas. Entry approx 45 soles. Allow at least 2.5 hours. Drive: 10 min walk
MIDDAY
PLAZA DE ARMAS AND AREQUIPA CATHEDRAL
The finest colonial square in Peru, surrounded entirely by extraordinary sillar white volcanic stone arcades, dominated by the extraordinary twin-towered cathedral. The cathedral interior is extraordinary in scale. The roof terrace gives the finest view across the plaza towards El Misti's perfect volcanic cone. The Museo Santuarios Andinos nearby houses Juanita the Inca ice maiden, one of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries in South America. Entry approx 20 soles. Drive: 20 min taxi
AFTERNOON
YANAHUARA AND BARRIO SAN LAZARO
The extraordinary Yanahuara mirador, a hilltop terrace of sillar stone arches framing Arequipa below with all three volcanoes behind, El Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu. The finest viewpoint in the city. Then the extraordinary Barrio San Lazaro, the oldest neighbourhood in Arequipa, a labyrinth of narrow 16th-century colonial lanes with extraordinary carved stone doorways. The evening light on the sillar stone is extraordinary.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Molino de Sabandía colonial mill 9km from Arequipa, built in 1621 in the extraordinary sillar stone of the Arequipa tradition, sits in the extraordinary Sachaca countryside with El Misti behind it and a series of extraordinary water-fed pools fed by the original mill channels. Almost no tourists visit. The extraordinary rural sillar landscape outside the city is unlike anything in the historic centre.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: La Canasta, Arequipa Extraordinary bakery cafe one block from the Plaza. Pan de yema and extraordinary cafe de olla. | Lunch: Zig Zag Restaurant The finest restaurant in Arequipa. Extraordinary volcano stone grill, rocoto relleno and alpaca cuts. | Dinner: La Nueva Palomino The finest traditional Arequipena restaurant. Extraordinary chupe de camarones and adobo arequipeno.
DAY 2
AREQUIPA
MORNING
EL MISTI VOLCANO LOWER SLOPES TREK
The extraordinary approach to El Misti, the perfectly conical active volcano at 5,822 metres that dominates the Arequipa skyline, via the Pastores valley trailhead at 3,200 metres. The lower slopes trek through extraordinary puna grassland and volcanic rock gives close-up views of the remarkable cone and extraordinary panoramas back over Arequipa. The full summit ascent is a two-day climb; the lower approach is extraordinary even for a half-day. Drive: 30 min taxi back
MIDDAY
SAN CAMILO MARKET AND AREQUIPENA FOOD CULTURE
The extraordinary Mercado San Camilo in the heart of Arequipa, the finest market in southern Peru, with an extraordinary range of local highland produce, Arequipa cheeses, chicha de jora fermented maize beer, extraordinary tropical fruits from the jungle coast, and the finest picanteria food stalls serving rocoto relleno, ocopa and chupe de camarones to locals from breakfast onwards. Entry free. Drive: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
ANTIQUILLA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE AND COUNTRYSIDE DRIVE
The extraordinary Antiquilla hillside outside Arequipa, covered in extraordinary pre-Inca petroglyphs carved into the dark volcanic rock, depicting llamas, condors, geometric patterns and extraordinary human figures whose age and meaning remain partially unexplained. The surrounding countryside of the Arequipa valley, with extraordinary sillar stone farmhouses and irrigated fields against the volcanic backdrop, is the finest rural landscape near the city.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Sillar Route quarry canyon 30 minutes from Arequipa, where the brilliant white volcanic sillar stone that built the entire White City has been quarried for five centuries, is an extraordinary landscape of white rock faces, stone cutters' workshops and extraordinary canyon walls that glow at sunset. Almost no tourists visit the working quarry. The finest place to understand the material that defines Arequipa.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Jerusalem, Arequipa Excellent Arequipena breakfast with local fruit and chicha morada near the Plaza de Armas. | Lunch: San Camilo market stall Extraordinary authentic rocoto relleno and papa a la Huancaina from a market picanteria. Best value in the city. | Dinner: Chicha by Gaston Acurio The finest modern Peruvian restaurant in Arequipa by Peru's most celebrated chef. Extraordinary tasting menu.
DAY 3
COLCA CANYON
MORNING
CRUZ DEL CONDOR AT DAWN
The most extraordinary wildlife viewpoint in South America, a clifftop overlook 1,200 metres above the floor of Colca Canyon where Andean condors with wingspans reaching 3.2 metres ride the morning thermals at eye level from the canyon rim. Between 8am and 10am on most dry season mornings, 10 to 20 condors are visible simultaneously soaring in absolute silence. The canyon backdrop at twice the depth of the Grand Canyon is extraordinary. Entry included in boleto turistico. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
COLLAGUA VILLAGES AND PRE-INCA TERRACES
The extraordinary traditional communities of the Colca Valley, where the Collagua and Cabana peoples wear extraordinary embroidered costumes with distinctive tall white hats identifying their village. The village churches of Yanque, Achoma and Maca are the finest 16th-century colonial churches in the Peruvian highlands, decorated with extraordinary baroque stonework. The pre-Inca terraced valley walls behind each village are extraordinary. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
CHIVAY MARKET AND LA CALERA HOT SPRINGS
The extraordinary Chivay market where local Collagua women sell remarkable hand-woven textiles, coca leaves and highland produce. Then the La Calera geothermal hot spring pools 3km from Chivay beside the Colca River, fed by volcanic water at 45 degrees. The extraordinary combination of hot thermal pools against the cold canyon air at 3,635 metres, with condors occasionally visible overhead, is one of the finest experiences in the Colca Valley. Entry approx 15 soles.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Mirador de los Volcanes on the Patapampa plateau at 4,910 metres gives a remarkable panoramic view of seven volcanoes simultaneously. Most tour groups stop for 15 minutes; arriving early and staying longer reveals the extraordinary way the light changes across the Andean plateau. The vicuna herds grazing beside the road at this altitude are extraordinary. Allow at least 45 minutes here.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early stop at Patapampa pass Hot coca tea and local snacks at the extraordinary 4,910m Patapampa plateau viewpoint on the drive up. | Lunch: Restaurant in Chivay Fresh trucha Colca rainbow trout or pachamanca slow-cooked in the earth. Extraordinary local highland produce. | Dinner: Colca Lodge restaurant Outstanding dinner overlooking the canyon. Local quinoa soup, slow-roasted alpaca and Andean vegetables.
DAY 4
CANYON FLOOR TREK
MORNING
DESCENT FROM CABANACONDE TO SANGALLE OASIS
The extraordinary trek from the canyon rim village of Cabanaconde at 3,287 metres to the floor of Colca Canyon at Sangalle oasis, a 1,200-metre descent through extraordinary cactus-covered canyon walls, passing the extraordinary hanging village of Malata and the canyon river. The oasis at the canyon floor, an extraordinary green pocket of palm trees and pools surrounded by vertical canyon walls, is one of the most extraordinary trekking destinations in Peru.
MIDDAY
SANGALLE OASIS AT THE CANYON FLOOR
The extraordinary Sangalle oasis at the floor of Colca Canyon, an isolated pocket of extraordinary greenery 1,200 metres below the canyon rim, accessible only by foot or mule. Several basic lodges with pools operate at the oasis. The extraordinary experience of swimming in a pool at the bottom of one of the deepest canyons on earth, surrounded by the massive canyon walls, with condors occasionally visible overhead, is unforgettable. EVENING NIGHT AT THE CANYON FLOOR Evening Spending a night at the canyon floor in Sangalle is the finest way to experience Colca Canyon beyond the standard day tour. The extraordinary silence of the canyon at night, the remarkable star field visible from inside the canyon walls, and the dawn bird activity before the climb back up make the overnight entirely worthwhile. Basic accommodation and meals available at Sangalle lodges. Book ahead in high season.
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Tapay village on the opposite rim of Colca Canyon from Cabanaconde is one of the most isolated communities in Peru, reachable only by foot via an extraordinary suspension bridge across the canyon floor. The Tapay villagers maintain extraordinary pre-Inca terraces still in active cultivation and weave some of the finest traditional textiles in the Colca Valley. The views from Tapay across the canyon are extraordinary.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cabanaconde before descent Full breakfast at the village before the 3-hour descent. Do not descend on an empty stomach at altitude. | Lunch: Sangalle oasis lodge Simple but extraordinary lunch at the canyon floor. Fresh vegetables, local trout and river water. | Dinner: Sangalle lodge dinner Extraordinary dinner at the bottom of the canyon. Simple Andean food eaten in the extraordinary silence.
DAY 5
CANYON ASCENT AND RETURN
MORNING
ASCENT FROM SANGALLE TO CABANACONDE
The extraordinary climb back up from the canyon floor to Cabanaconde, a 1,200-metre ascent that takes 4 to 5 hours at altitude. Depart before 6am to beat the heat. The extraordinary views down into the canyon as you climb, with the oasis becoming a tiny green spot far below, are among the finest trekking vistas in Peru. Mules are available to carry packs. Arrive exhausted and elated in Cabanaconde for breakfast. Drive: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
CRUZ DEL CONDOR SECOND VISIT AND MACA VILLAGE
A second visit to Cruz del Condor on the return journey, often with different condors and different light than the first visit. The extraordinary Maca colonial church, one of the finest baroque churches in the Colca Valley, rebuilt after the 2001 earthquake while preserving its original 16th-century carved stone facade, is the finest church in the canyon. The Maca agricultural terraces above the village are extraordinary. Drive: 4 hours drive
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO AREQUIPA AND FINAL EVENING
RETURN TO AREQUIPA AND FINAL EVENING Evening The extraordinary return drive from the canyon across the Patapampa plateau and down through the highland puna, arriving in Arequipa with the three volcanoes in silhouette against the evening sky. The White City after five days at altitude feels extraordinary in its urban comfort. A final evening in Arequipa's colonial centre, with a farewell picantera dinner and the extraordinary plaza at night.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca on the plateau between Arequipa and Colca Canyon is one of the finest high Andean wildlife reserves in Peru, with extraordinary large herds of vicuna, extraordinary Andean flamingos on the salt lakes and the remarkable vizcacha Andean chinchilla on the rocky slopes. The reserve covers the entire plateau at 4,200 to 4,900 metres. Ask your driver to stop for the vicuna.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cabanaconde after the climb Extraordinary breakfast after the 4-hour canyon ascent. Anything tastes remarkable at this point. | Lunch: Maca village restaurant Simple highland lunch in the extraordinary village square after the Cruz del Condor visit. | Dinner: La Nueva Palomino, Arequipa The finest traditional Arequipena dinner for a final night. Extraordinary adobo and chicha de jora.
Where To Stay
Arequipa, Nights 1 to 2 Casa Andina Premium or Libertador Arequipa. Colonial sillar architecture. Approx 80 to 180 USD. Chivay, Night 3 Colca Lodge Spa and Hot Springs. Canyon views and thermal pools. Approx 120 to 200 USD. Cabanaconde, Night 4 El Condor's Nest or Kuntur Wassi. Basic but extraordinary canyon village. Approx 20 to 60 USD.
Top Tips
1. Spend 2 nights in Arequipa before ascending to Colca at 3,600m. Altitude sickness is real.
2. For the Sangalle trek, depart Cabanaconde by 7am. The descent takes 3 hours, ascent 4 to
5.
3. Cruz del Condor is best at 8 to 10am. The condors use thermals that take time to develop.
4. The Colca boleto turistico (approx 70 soles) covers all canyon sites and is checked at most viewpoints.
5. Sangalle oasis at the canyon floor has basic guesthouses with pools. Book ahead in high season.
6. Rocoto relleno is the essential Arequipa dish. The version at La Nueva Palomino is extraordinary.
Total Budget
60 to 325 USD/day