Colca Canyon and Andean Condors - Full Day

We’ll leave Arequipa very early in the morning, at around 3:30 a.m. so you can make the most of your Colca Canyon experience. On our way to the canyon, we’ll pass through a spectacular landscape of mountains and beautifully rugged terrain, first stopping at the small Andean community of Pata Wasi (which means “High Home”). Here we can see some intriguing rock formations and views of the Chachani and Misti volcanoes. To help with the altitude, we’ll also make a stop to enjoy some traditional coca tea.

As we approach the town of Chivay, which sits at an elevation of 3,600 m above sea level (12,000 ft.), we’ll pass colorful farming terraces that are found throughout much of the Colca Valley, some of them dating back to the time of the Incas. After breakfast, we’ll drive to the famous viewpoint, or mirador, known as Cruz del Cóndor (Condor Cross), arriving there at about 8 a.m. The lookout point is located near the small villages of Maca and Cabanaconde. Here, strong winds rise up from the canyon, providing a favorite spot for Andean condors, the largest flying birds in the world. They soar on the thermals, often in pairs, normally in the morning and late afternoon. You might see these huge condors, with their three-meter wingspans, flying very close to the lookout point, offering a truly majestic sight. From the lookout point you’ll also have incredible views down into the depths of Colca Canyon.  

After watching and taking photos of the condors, your guide will take you on a short trek near the canyon, for about 45 minutes. We’ll then head back to Chivay, first stopping off at the traditional village of Pinchollo and the Antahuilque viewpoint. This viewpoint offers wonderful views of the 1,500-year-old agricultural terraces that curve along the hillsides like an amphitheater. You can also spot some of the enchanting lagoons of the Colca Valley. 

The next stop is the lookout point of Choquetico, where we can see two very interesting features. First are the hanging tombs, built by the Aymara-speaking Collaguas around 1200 AD. These funerary niches were cut into the cliffs of Cerro Cabanaconde and then sealed off with rock walls. In order to reach these otherwise inaccessible cliff faces, the builders likely worked their way down using ropes suspended from the trees up above. The second interesting feature we can see here is a model of the canyon terraces carved into a rock.

Moving on, we’ll visit the small Andean village of Maca, which sits on the lower slopes of Sabancaya Volcano and Nevado Hualca Hualca. Then we’ll pay a visit to the village of Yanque, which is home to a pretty white church, a small archaeology museum, and thermal baths down by the river.

There are also horse-riding facilities and mountain bike rental available in Yanque (not included in the price of the tour).

We’ll then head back to Chivay for a delicious lunch before heading back to Arequipa.