Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arequipa - El Pedregal - Huambo - Soro Valley - Llahuar. At 7am departure to the Colca canyon in our private 4WD, travel to see the rest of the north part of Desierto de Atacama and drive up to the highlands crossing the valley of Vitor, Alto Sihuas, El Pedregal - short explore the remains of Wary culture named Huacan - Visit the south part of the Volcanoes range named Pampa Qerqe - Ampato mountain viewpoint (4300m).
Continue Off Road Tour through nice country of Huambo (3200m) and continue driving up the second highest pass between Humabo and Cabanaconde town, from here we just descend by nice and adventurous serpentine dirt road to the bottom. Soro valley is located in the other side of the canyon, means you will cross the Colca River over suspension bridge after nice experienced crossing ancient bridge we leave our 4WD and trekking through nice cactus forest along the Colca River till Llahuar lodge. Llahuar is located between the encounter of the Colca and Llatica Rivers with nice view of the huge walls of the canyon. At 2pm will be lunch and then plenty of time to enjoy the thermals baths next of the river. At 7 evening will be dinner accompanied by wonderful starry sky, spend the night in bamboo cabins.
Includes: (L, D).
Day 2: Llahuar - Soro Valley - Cabaconde - Condor Cross Viewpoint - Pinchollo Geyser - Chivay Hot Spring. At 5am will be our breakfast and short trekking on the left bank of the Colca river, nice trekking crossing abandoned terraces completely cover by cactus, this small valley is called Soro (2050m) and then cross a suspension bridge over the Colca river to the other side and meet the 4x4. From Soro we travel up to Cabanaconde (3285m) by abandoned dirty truck that is 1 hour on our four wheel drive.
8am we will be at the famous Condor Cross (3600m), wait 2 hours maximum for flight of biggest birds in the world. We continue traveling by 4x4 to observe the Hualca Hualca geyser located in middle of mountainous area, to reach the geyser will walk half hour and see the volcanic activity of Hualca Hualca. Come back to our 4WD and then continue visiting different villages like Maca, Achoma, Yanque and Chivay, all them located on the left margin of the Colca River with nice lookout and surrounded by the pre Inca terracing irrigate with ancient aqueducts built by the Collaguas and Cabanas culture. Late afternoon arrive to Chivay (3600m) to have lunch and after we have opportunity to visit the hot spring (La Calera). At dinner we offer a life music show and stay in a comfortable hotel.
Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 3: Chivay - Caylloma - Orcopampa - Andagua - Volcanoes Valley. Today we walk up at 6am and nice country breakfast and then we hike into the canyon on nice trail between the terraces, this hike takes 2 hours till to Canocota (3800m), This town is habituated by farmers located on the left bank of the Colca River. At Canocota we will met our 4WD and start of our second day Off Road Tour in the real Andean dirt road passing small village, groups of Llamas and Alpacas grazing on the mountainous range.
After 3 hours of Off Road Tour will arrive to Caylloma mining town (4200m) located between the border of Arequipa and Cusco, short break to recognize this town. Continue driving our 4WD over the 4000 meters and viewing the impressive landscape of the Andes, on the way we stop to appreciate the most protected Andean animal, named Vicuña (Vicugna), this fine and elegant wild animal is adapted to live on these lands.
At 2pm we will be in Orcopampa (4100m) mining town where will have lunch surrounded by snow-capped. Late afternoon arrive to Andagua (3200m), is know like valley of the volcanoes. Andagua town is surrounded by 86 volcano craters, we climb several volcanoes and explore the country of this town. Stay in family hostel with charm atmosphere.
Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 4: Volcanoes Valley - Coropuna Mountain - Pucuncho Village - Vizcas Chico - Cotahuasi. At 7am will be country breakfast served by local family and continue Off Road Tour driving on serpentine road till bottom of Coropuna mountain (6377m), spectacular view of the mountainous range of north face of Coropuna. Visit a small lagoon of Uchuyjocha were is possible to see the red pink flamingos, Andean fox, Andean eagle, and sometime the Andean condor flying around Apu Coropuna, considerate the third highest mountain in Peru and popular destiny for climb lovers. Drive our 4WD though dusty and bumpy road passing Pucuncho village, spot at this farmer place and contact with the locals and spend two hours of our time to share with poor people leaving over 4200m. You can donate (optional) some toys, clothes or school items or anything you like to give them.
At 2pm we will at the bottom of Solimana snow-peak considerate the most technical mountain in south of Peru and there will have lunch (picnic) viewing the magnificent mountain range. Transfer to Vizcas chico and from here downhill trekking to Cotahuasi valley, descending by serpentine trail through wonderful valley, spring and terraces worked by the locals. After 3 hours arrive to Cotahuasi (2600m) and entry to the accommodation and dinner accompanied with local family.
Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 5: Cotahuasi - Puica - Tomepampa - Luicho Hot Spring. After breakfast we drive 2 hours up to Puica village (3600m), this village is located in the head of Cotahuasi canyon people here are dedicated to be farmers, they still believe to respect the mountain the mother earth and live linked with their ancestral tradition. Trek up to explore Maucallaqta ruins dated from pre-Inca time. At this part of the canyon is considerate the highest lands surrounded by snow peak as Firura (5600m). From Puica we descend walking through springs and narrow path between abandoned terraces and nice rock formation and spectacular views of Tomepampa and Alca towns located on the left side of the canyon.
After 4 hour of nice trekking we will arrive to Luicho hot spring, lunch and then plenty of time to enjoy the thermals pools. Sep up our four season tents, camp fire accompanied by delicious dinner and night in tents under starry sky.
Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 6: Luicho Hot Spring - Taurisma - Pampamarca - Uscune Waterfall - Cotahuasi. Today you can walk up later of other days. Breakfast and then Off Road Tour following dirt road and will cross to the right side of the canyon, where will find Taurisma farmer village, short recognized impressive cultivation terraces system. After take uphill road to Pampamarca village (3750m). Trekking to the waterfall of Uscune this is a nice waterfall to discover the impressive and powerful of water descending from the high mountains to the Cotahuasi River. We hike 3 hours maximum to visit Uscune waterfall and then come back to our 4WD and drive down on the same road to Cotahuasi. We will spend the night in a comfortable hotel.
Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 7: Cotahuasi - Sipia Waterfall - Cotahuasi. Today after country breakfast we drive down to Toro bridge and from the one hour of trekking to Sipia waterfall, plenty of time to explore this impressive waterfall, also spectacular views of walls of the canyon. Will have lunch at this quiet place also you feeling and encountering with nature. Late afternoon return to our 4WD vehicle and drive up to Cotahuasi town. Dinner and stay in a comfortable hostal running by local family.
Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 8: Cotahuasi - Solimana And Coropuna Mountain - Chuquibamba - Majes Canyon - Arequipa. We will get ready to one hour opportune for transfer to Chuquibamba, not without before happening same stops in the way to see Solimana and Coropuna Mountain, some views of Vicuñas, Llamas and Alpacas, forest of Queñuales (Andean tree). After 4 hours Off Road Tour will descend to Chuquibamba and lunch at this town.
Continue downhill driving on asphalt road to the bottom of Majes canyon, on the way will stop to seeing the Caylloma castle considerate sacred place of the Chuquibamaba culture. Arrival to Majes valley and visit to Toro Muerto petroglyphs where is possible to appreciate thousand of draw made in huge volcanic lava. After visit Toro Muerto we continue to Arequipa and end of our service.
Includes: (B, L).
Price Includes:
- Official English speaking guide well knowledge of the region
- Private 4WD 2005/2007 Toyota Prado Land Cruiser (See our 4X4)
- Experienced driver know very well each route in the region
- 6 nights in a comfortable hotels
- 1 night camping through the mountains
- All food (7 country breakfast - 8 lunches - 7 dinners)
- Camping gear according the program (Triple tent capacity for two persons, inflate mattress)
- Cooking equipment according the program
- All entrance to the national parks, be careful some tour operators don’t include this service
- Food and accommodation for our camp staff
- Oxygen and first aid kit for all participants and our camp staff
- Tour price include government taxes
- A present of our agency
Price Excludes:
- Alcoholic drinks
- Sleeping Bag
- Breakfast on the first day
- Tips for guide and camp staff
Rain Season: December to March. Some days are with blue sky permitting to cycle this zone.
Best Time for Cycle: After rain season (April to June) the mountains are completely covered with snow and the slops are cover with new vegetation making more nice for pictures.
Advice for Bikers: Normal physical conditions and summer clothes, bikers require good acclimatization over 2500m. One day before all the bikers will have meeting with the mountain bike guide at our office or in the hotel, who will give a briefing about this bike trip and also you can check the quality of bikes and gear will be used on this trip.
What You Need to Bring/Carry:
- Small backpack
- Rain Jacket or Poncho (December - March)
- Tennis Shoes
- Complete change of clothing
- Bottle of Water
- 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
- Sunglasses
- Extra money (soles)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Private VIP service (private 4DW):
2 participants US$1068 each
3-4 participants US$890 each
5 to more participants US$750 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
Mountain/Rock Climbing
Volcano Tours
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