Colca canyon is the second deepest canyon in our planet, double deep Grand Canyon of United States. Is located in the middle of two highest volcanoes Coropuna (6450m) and Ampato (6380m), this canyon is most famous place to visit by the tourist from every where in world, wonderful area to see the rich cultural remains, comes from 1400 years ago, immense varieties of flora and fauna, snow ranges, green valleys, old and colony town, mighty rivers crossing the Andes, thousand of pre-Inca terraces, friendly and charm settlers live in this part of Peru. Here is our field work arranging everything what we mentioned before, we are happy showing to the visitors every place and old costumes lazy by our old cultures. We have traditional tours and new alternatives to explorer an extra mile in this great canyon.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arequipa - Chivay Valley. 8am - Our minivan will pick you up at your hotel between 8 and 9 am. We will head to the Colca Canyon, the second deepest canyon in the world. We will be driving on the left side of Chachani (Volcanic) mountain (6070m). We will be making several stops in the Salinas and Aguada Blanca Natural Reserve (4400m), a natural habitat for the Vicuñas, Llamas, and Alpacas. We will have views of the Papa Pampa (4850m) highlands, Snow capped mountains and volcanoes. We will be taking photographic breaks and discuss the ecological features frequently during this phase of our journey.
1pm - We will arrive in Chivay (3600m) where you will be served a wonderful buffet luncheon and perhaps be surprised by an Andean music group to accompany the meal. After a brief refreshing stop in your hotel, we will take a two hour to pre-Incas ruins called Uyo Uyo and then continue onto the Hot Springs for two hours. Dinner is guaranteed to be both delicious and an ethnic experience as we enjoy an enthusiastic dinner music and dance performance in Chivay.
Day 2: Condor Cross - San Juan De Chuccho Village. 6am - Breakfast at your hotel and then we continue on toward the famous Condor cross. We make brief stops at Yanque and frequently we are met by some townspeople who enjoy showing us their dress, perform and enchant us with their welcoming dances. We spend two hours at the Pass, a most spectacular spot in the canyon with impressive long views both along and down the canyon where the Condors can sometimes be seen taking advantage of the thermal air currents and interact with eagles and other "small" birds. The plaza at this point is transformed into an impromptu colorful marketplace where it is possible to buy embroidered objects, blankets and the occasional animal and fruit.
We walk along the road for a bit till we cut across a field past the occasional farm animals and begin our four hour descent into the canyon to the Colca River (1200m descent). We cross to the other side of the canyon by way of the "new" bridge and begin the ascent to our first family lodge. We pass incredibly dense flora and fruit trees that welcome us to our beautiful "island" within the Andes.
2pm arrive to the lodge at San Juan de Chuccho (2300m). The local villagers are friendly and curious and it is possible to wander and meet "your" neighbors.
Day 3: San Juan De Chuccho - Llatica Canyon - Fure Village. 7am - A satisfyingly healthy country breakfast readies us to begin our long ascent to our next village, Tapay (3000m). We continue into Cosñirhua and Malata (2600m). We might stop into a small in to taste some of the local produce or enjoy a cool drink, or simply relish the local landscape, Wary built terraces, snow-capped summits, and rich varieties of flora and fauna. We continue from the Colca Canyon to the less traveled Llatica Canyon. We ford small rivers, pass through cactus forests (sometimes covered by delicious tunas), and enter dry and dusty zones. After a number of bends in the mountains, we arrive at Fure (3100m), located on the left rim of the Llatica canyon.
2pm - Lunch is prepared in the family lodge which is located over on a small hill, supported by pre-Incas terraces and worked by local villagers. The views of the verdant valley can be breathtaking. Dinner can be prepared by your own surprise chef and the night is left for you to enjoy the incredible brightness of the Southern Cross and Milky Way within the darkness of the night.
Day 4: Fure Village - Waruro Waterfall - Llahuar Lodge. 6am - After a refreshing hot drink, we take a short (hour to hour and a half) trek to an incredibly little visited, waterfall, Waruro (80m). Our hike in the mysterious mist of the morning, takes us along the right bank of the Llatica River. We follow a narrow animal path in the midst of cactuses, around cliffs and past foliage-covered ancient tombs. All the while the sharp and jagged mountain peaks continue to entice us as they change color in the sunrise. Waruro is a most powerful, thunderous waterfall, forming an oasis in all seasons. A secret delighted in by the locals, yet infrequently visited.
9am - We breakfast in our lodge and observe the tiny "town square" fill with the activities of daily living. We take our leave and continue our trek going down to Llatica village. We cross the river by a hanging bridge over rushing water and explore this quiet place.
2pm within the deepest area of the Colca canyon. Llahuar Lodge (2100m) presents a haven situated between the Colca and Llatica Rivers. We enjoy lunch while we relish views of both canyons, and bask in the warmth and welcome of our host and hostess, and Yola.
We may look forward to the potential of freshly caught trout for dinner and watch ready his net for the catch. The thermals pools below the lodge offer a wonderful reward and a quiet place within a lush garden for the day's efforts. Occasionally has been known to pull out his guitar and add additional atmosphere to the evening's delicious dinner.
Day 5: Llahuar Lodge - Soro Valley - Majes Valley - Toro Muerto Petroglyphs - Arequipa. 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
- Round trip public bus tickets or private van, according your request
- 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
- Colca canyon map
- Trekking gear such as poles, backpacks and head lamp (without batteries)
- Present of our agency
- Oxygen bottle and first aid kit
Price Excludes:
- Binoculars
- Breakfast on the first day
- Tips for guide and camp staff
- US$4 entrance for hot spring La Calera in Chivay (first day)
- Alcoholic drinks
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 - Chivay)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Private VIP service (private van):
2 participants US$425 each
3-4 participants US$400 each
5 to more participants US$375 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
Mountain/Rock Climbing
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