Colca Trek includes arrangements of porters and horses or llamas to carry all camping gear, food and the backpacks of our hikers, public or private transportation according the client requesting, all this service are supported by our experienced local tour guides, who knows very well every corner of the canyon. Colca Trek Itinerary shows you the most remote villages of the canyon, contact with pure nature and the ancient civilization located in the Altiplano or in the deep valleys without tourism contact.
Colca Trek covers the most extremely and spectacular views of the second deepest canyon in the world, if you like to be spectator of first sun shine or sunset over the mountains, to feel freedom hiking through the cactus forest or savage geography or maybe have and taste the best food cooked by our professional cook, come to join us and you will have the best and unique unforgettable trekking experience in Peru. Colca trek with Llamas makes the most mystical and amazing introduce to Incan Adean world.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arequipa - National Reserve Of Aguada Blanca And Salinas - Chivay Hot Spring - Madrigal. At 8am pick up from your hotel and tour (private van)to the second deepest canyon in the world, driving on the left side of Chachani mountain (6070m), continue going up to 4400ml, is a Natural Reserve of Salinas and Aguada Blanca, is the nature habitat for the Vicuñas, one of South American camelidos, groups of Llamas, Alpacas, small lake (Bofedales), highlands views (Pata Pampa 4850m), snow caps and volcanoes, will stop every place to get short break getting pictures from all each place you like.
At 1pm we will arrive to Chivay town (3600m), to have lunch and then we continue traveling on the right rim of the canyon, through small villages as Coporaque, Ichupampa, Lary and finally Madrigal, all those small town are surrounded by impressive pre Inca terraces and protected by huge snow-capped. Arrive to Madrigal (3260m) were we camp out of the town.
Day 2: Madrigal - Bomboya - Chimpa Inca Fortress - Queñuales De Puna Forest. Today after delicious country breakfast served by our professional cook we meet the second part of our camp staff, the horse handlers, llamas, and assistant. After packing our own gear begins of the Colca Trek, uphill hiking through serpentine trail we arrive to Chimpa Inca fortress (3570m), were are Inca remains, religious room and urban sector, this archaeological site is located on the slopes of Bomboya snow-capped. Continue climbing on stony path we get 5000m, were exist an abandoned Inca trail what is uses rarely by locals. Stop at the highest point named Bomboya look out, from you can have the best view of the entire Colca valley and their eleven colonial towns on the both bank of the Colca River.
After nice lunch break continue hiking through Bomboya snow-capped and enter to small canyon of Puna Chica. Downhill to Queñuales forest, the trees are protected and were Pumas, Foxes and other wild animals use this forest to live. Camp in the middle of Queñua forest (4200m) and protected by jealous mountains. This day will around 8 to 9 hours of trekking.
Day 3: Queñuales De Puna Forest- Tapay Village - Maucallaqta Ruins. At 7am breakfast in the middle of this Queñua forest canyon, feeling the pure nature and mystical atmosphere. Downhill to Tapay village (3100m) through agriculture fields and stony path, today is only 4 hours trekking and then visit the pre Inca ruins/cemetery named Maucallaqta, this archaeological site is located in the middle of cactus and rock forest protecting the ancients remains. Explore the Maucallaqta ruins having spectacular views of Tapay, Cosñirhua and Malata villages. Late afternoon come back to Tapay and stay in local family house, available hot shower and camp fire.
Day 4: Tapay Village - Cosñirhua - Malata - Llatica Canyon - Fure Village. Today hikers will wake up at 7am and then country breakfast served by local family. After packing everything and carried in the Llamas we continue hiking on nice maintenance trail to Cosñirhua (2700m), were spend one hour to visit the local school and share some gifts and haven nice recreational games. Visit little and interesting local museum running by family. Hike through cactus forest and after 5 hours walk on plain path arrive to Fure remote village (3100m), located on the right bank of the Llatica river/canyon. Late lunch with the local family and free noon to spend reading or contacting with local kids or adults. Stay in bamboo rooms and after dinner nice camp fire under starry sky.
Day 5: Fure Village - Waruro Waterfall - Llatica Canyon - Llahuar Hot Spring. Before breakfast we will do a short trekking to a nice waterfall of Waruro (80m), is hike is on the right bank of the Llatica river, following small path in the middle of the cactuses, walking over the cliffs and after one hour arrival to the powerful waterfall, completely green and noisy place. 9am breakfast in our lodge and continuing trekking going down to Llatica village and cross the river by an hanging, short explore to this quite place. 2pm we will arrive to deepest area of the Colca canyon. Llahuar (2100m) is a nice place located between Colca and Llatica rivers, one of the best places to get our lunch with nice view of both canyons. The afternoon is free to enjoy and use the thermals pools (hot spring) around the rivers. Stay in bamboo rooms run by local family.
Day 6: Llahuar Lodge - Soro Valley - Huambo Village - El Pedregal - Arequipa. At 5/6am we breakfast as we watch the sunrise light up the canyon. A short (two hour) relatively level trek along the left bank of the Colca river, takes us across abandoned terraces completely covered by cactus through a small valley called Soro (2050m). All too quickly we pass abandoned farms and several working farms, pick our last tuna (January to April), offered by the farmers and then we cross a suspension bridge over the Colca river to meet our 4WD. It’s a breathtaking drive back up the canyon along a serpentine road smoothly executed by our experienced drivers. The views beckon us to make several photographic stops because it’s hard to imagine that what’s to come can quite match the current scene.
The magnificent views continue for the next as we make our way to Huambo (2900m), a village surrounded by green terraces, a lovely town square, and a different group of people (do you know their ethnic identity?) wearing different local dress. At the highest point of our journey in the Andean range, at the "Mirador del “Ampato" we have a good view of the Ampato, a snow covered mountain. In 1995 the mummy of 14 year old "Juanita" was found by climbers. We continue on to see two small volcanoes in the vast Pampa de Qerqe (whose summit is only 300m). We travel to the coast. El Pedregal (1400m) long green valley in the middle of the driest area located on the both site of the Panamericana highway. There are three options at this point: Direct return to Arequipa (2 hours). A visit to the mysterious Toro Muerto Petroglyphs on a desert plain (2 hours = 600m) found within green fields of reclaimed dessert, and then continue to Arequipa (4 - 5 hours). Or, one can stay an overnight in Aplao and return to Arequipa the next day (for an additional cost).
Price Includes:
- Official English speaking Guide
- Private van from Arequipa to Madrigal and from Soro valley to Arequipa
- All meals according the program
- Tea time (hot drink, biscuit, pop corn)
- Overnight in a family lodge (private or shared room) or camping gear (4 season tents and mattresses)
- Canyon entrance (take care no many tour operators don’t include this tourist ticket), the entrance is valid to visit all the canyon
- 01 Llama each to carry your personal trekking gear (only private service)
- Horses to carry food and camping gear
- Emergency horses to ride on the second day
- Dinning tent
- Tables and camp chairs
- Colca canyon map
- Professional cook
- The agency can provide trekking gear such as poles, backpacks and head lamp (without batteries)
- Plastic bags to cover your backpacks when is carried in the Llamas
- Water supply (boiled) every day before breakfast or after each dinner
- Food and lodging for our camp staff
- First aid kit for all participants and our camp staff
- Trekking price include government taxes
- Present of our agency
Price Excludes:
- Binoculars
- Breakfast on the first day
- Sleeping bag (only if you go to camp)
- Persona horse to ride, can be hired for US$20 per day (except on the day 2, is included)
- Phone calls
- Flight, bus and train tickets reservations
- Tips for guide and camp staff
- US$4 entrance for hot spring La Calera in Chivay (first day)
What You Need to Bring/Carry:
- Small backpack (45lt)
- Rain jacket or poncho, plastic ponchos can be purchased in Arequipa (just in the rain season Dec - April)
- Strong comfortable and waterproof footwear
- Sweater and jacket (something warm)
- Bottle of water
- Flashlight and batteries
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun
- Sun block (sun protection cream)
- Insect repellent
- Toiletries, towel and toilet paper
- Selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits etc
- Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries
- Swimsuit (you can swim in the hot springs - Llahuar and Chivay)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Private VIP service (private van):
2 participants US$635 each
3-4 participants US$585each
5 to more participants US$507 each
Discount 5%: South American Explorers Club Members
Discount 10%: Tour Operators or Travel Agencies Only
Students: US$5 discount only with valid green ISIC card
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Peru
Hiking & Trekking
Cultural Journey
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