4-DAY AREQUIPA AND COLCA CANYON PERU TOUR

(Private service, English- and Spanish-speaking guide)

Countryside Route:

Pick up from your hotel lobby and transfer to the viewpoint of the traditional neighborhood of Yanahuara, which is made of ashlar with inscriptions by Arequipeño poets. Then, we will head to Carmen Alto, from where you will enjoy an amazing view of the Chilina Valley and the volcanoes that frame the city.

We will continue the tour to Incalpaca and the zoo, where we will see the 4 varieties of camelids and the sachaca. Then, we will visit the Founder’s mansion—a colonial house that preserves ornaments of colonial and republican origin; and the Sabandía Mill, where we will learn about the techniques to process wheat by using two huge wheels plus the force of water.

On our way back, we will cross the district of Paucarpata with its beautiful pre-Inca terraces, then you will enjoy a delicious lunch at Tío Darío (duration: 4–5 hours).

Sillar Route:

After lunch, transfer to the Añashuayco quarries (3 km from the center of Arequipa), located mainly in the district of Cerro Colorado and Yura. Here we will learn how the cutters extract and make the ashlar pavers and how they make the carvings. Then, you will have a short walk through the culebrillas quarry where you can observe rock art (duration: 4 hours). Return to your hotel.

Evening free.

Overnight in Arequipa.

Meals included: B L

(Shared service up to 16 travelers, guide in English & Spanish)

You will depart early in the morning towards the Colca Canyon, located about 160 km northeast of Arequipa. On our way to the Colca Valley, you will pass through the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where you will see long-neck fine vicuñas running freely on the ichu (Andean thick grass), as well as other animals such as the alpaca, colocolo (Andean mountain cat), guanaco, Andean fox, vizcacha, and taruca.

Then, you will arrive at “Mirador de los Andes” viewpoint and see the wonderful Andean landscape. You will also observe several apachetas — a pile of rocks placed one on top of the other, that people make as an offering to the mountains. From the “Mirador de los Andes” viewpoint you will have amazing views of the Chachani, Misti, Sabancaya, and Ampato volcanoes. Later on and before reaching your hotel, you will have an initial panoramic view of the Colca Canyon from the Achachiua viewpoint.

Finally, you will have the rest of the day free to better acclimate to a higher altitude (altitude: 3800 m / 12464 ft). If you choose to stay at the Colca Lodge, you will enjoy the natural hot springs located within the hotel’s premises, and an amazing bottom-up view of the Colca Canyon and the Colca River running through it. Otherwise, you have the option to visit ”La Calera” hot springs, if you stay at another hotel.

Rest of the afternoon and evening free.

Overnight in Colca Valley.

Meals included: B L

(Shared service up to 16 travelers, guide in English & Spanish)

We will begin our tour early in the morning to reach ”Cruz del Condor” viewpoint at the best time. On your way, you will pass through some old small towns of the highlands (Coporaque, Yanque, and Maca — this last town survived an eruption from the Sabancaya volcano!).

After an exciting drive on the left side of Colca Canyon, you will finally reach the Cruz del Condor viewpoint to admire the majestic flight of the Andean Condors. See how they fiercely fly into the appealing depth of the canyon, pulling our eyes down and allowing us to live an exciting experience! This is also a great chance to take wonderful close-up pictures.

After enjoying a delicious lunch, you will be transferred to the airport in Arequipa for your flight to Lima or Cusco (duration: 5 ½ hours approx).

Meals included: B L