COLCA CANYON

We`ll pick you up from your hotel at 07:30 am to start our trip to one of the deepest canyons of the world. Taking the highway from Yura, bordering the snow-covered mountain Chachani towards Cañahuas Pampas; we stop for a coca leaf infusion at the Aguada Blanca National Park, the habitat of the beautiful South American Cameloidaes like the vicuñas, alpacas, huanaco and llamas. In the lake of Tocra we will be able to appreciate a variety of migratory birds, including flamencos. We will pass by the crater of an extinct volcano (Chucura) and then stop at the famous volcanos panoramic viewpoint, at a height of 4.800 meters above the sea leavel. From here we will appreciate a great portion of the western mountain range, where you can truly appreciate the pre-Inca farming terraces / platforms known as "andenes". Approximately 13:00 to 13:30, arrival at Chivay and stop for lunch (not included). 15:00. Our private transport will take us toward the colorful town "pueblito" of Coporaque, from where we`ll start a walking of approximately 2 hours, to enjoy the beautiful landscape of this side of the valley as well as a pre-Inca cemetery located in the skirts of a mountain. You will notice that this region was intensively populated by andean people communities. At 17:00. On returning from the walk you have the opportunity of enjoying the thermal baths in the Limekiln whose termo-medicinal waters oscillate between 35º to 38º degrees Celsius of temperature in the swimming pools.( US$ 3 entry ). 20:00 hrs. dinner (not included) accompanied of a folkloric show; get ready for the andean dances.

Second Day on COLCA CANYON: Chivay - CONDOR`S CROSS BELVEDERE - Chivay - Arequipa.

After a very early breakfast, we get along at 06:30 in our private transport towards the view-point called " Cruz del Cóndor " after having an 1.5 hour bus ride getting into this National Park where you`ll have a very beautiful view over the Colca Canyon. This is also the place where you'll be able to observe several flying condors, sometimes passing very close to you (up to a few meters). Just near this area your tour guide will show you the Pre-inca tombs hanging in the mountains. Plenty of time to spend in this natural region for taking pictures and strolling around the San Pedro cactus area. On the return we will stop in the towns of Pinchollo, Maca and Yanque, with their beautiful colonial churches, as well as in the viewpoints of Choquetico and Antahuilque, from where we`ll observe the impressive farming platforms of the valley, and tombs in pre-Incas scale models. Lunch at 13:00 then, returning and arrival at the City of Arequipa 17:00 to 18:00 Hrs.

COLCA CANYON 2 DAYS DAILY DEPARTURES