The Beauty of Hiking Colca Canyon in Peru
- twoeejitsabroad
- May 17, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Jun 22, 2024
Peru’s Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world, measuring in at around 3,400m at its deepest point – twice as deep as the Grand Canyon! With cliffs that plunge from 1000 to 2000 meters deep, creating an otherworldly landscape, unlike anything we had seen yet in Peru! This adventure offers travellers the chance to immerse themselves in the countryside of Peru, and perhaps something even more special - witness the majestic flight of Andean condors. Those who are looking for a bit more than the day trip offers, you can walk from the condor observatory down to the lower parts of the canyon, hiking for two or three days into the heart of one of the world’s deepest canyons. It's no wonder that this remains one of Peru’s most sought-after experiences for those craving adventures! So thats exactly what we decided to do. We opted for the two day hike, which started from the closest major city of Arequipa.
How much time do you need?
The duration of your visit to the Colca Canyon depends on your availability and preferred pace. For those not looking to hike, there are many options for a day tour. Typically these tours begin with a very early start (around 3am!), with a drive to a restaurant for breakfast, before stopping to see the condors. It also includes a visit to a hot spring, lunch and finally to Patapampa, an incredible viewpoint where you will see the Ampato, Sabancaya and Hualca Hualca volcanoes side by side. You can find one of the most popular tours here!
For those who are looking to hike the canyon there is the option for either a two or three day Colca Canyon hike, including a night or two in the oasis. This also typically begins with an early morning bus journey from Arequipa on the first day. This trip incorporates all those activities that you also get on the day tour, you just do that after you've finished the hike in the morning!
When is the best time to visit?
Of course you want the best possible conditions you can have for an unforgettable experience! For the best conditions, consider planning your Colca Canyon trek between April and May. During these months, the valley adorns itself in lush greenery after the seasonal rains, while the mountain peaks retain their majestic snow caps, creating a picturesque backdrop.
Luckily for us, the weather in Colca Canyon remains pleasantly warm and dry throughout the year, with the exception of January through March, when daily rainfall is common. Apart from a bit of rain, you really, you cant go too wrong! One thing to note is to its elevation, nighttime temperatures can dip, particularly after cloudy days, so in any month, be prepared for cooler evenings during your adventure!
How fit do I need to be?
Embarking on the Colca Canyon trek demands a decent level of fitness, regardless of your chosen route. While the first day of the descent into the canyon may seem manageable, the ascent presents a little more of a challenge to some. Altitude effects can come into play, which then adds to the physical demands. Having said this, we both conquered the trek with time to spare and we believe most people would be more than capable of finishing this hike with a bit of determination and willpower!
How much does it cost?
Of course, this varies depending on which type of trip you're looking for. We found that the best deals were always when asking in person, however if you are someone who prefers to plan in advance, we think these trips are some of the best deals.
We decided to go for the 2 day hike and we knew that to get the best deal, we had to go shopping! So we stopped at every travel agent we could find and asked around for their best deals. In the end we went with an agent called Maria Belen which you can find in the main square of Arequipa. We paid the equivalent of $80 (300sol) each for our two day tour and this included all transport, meals and accommodation for the night.
The other option of course is to do the trek unguided and by yourself, which may save you a little bit of cash - however we did hear from one hiker that he'd actually ended up spending more than we did after he included food, accommodation and transport. So I think it all depends on how you prepare! To get to the crater from Arequipa, you have a couple of options. The first is to catch one of the few but large, leisurely buses departing from Arequipa Bus Terminal, but we do have to stress the leisurely part! It's anyone's guess as to when you'll arrive! Or the alternative entails opting for the swifter and more readily available colectivos (public minivans). Both choices have a slightly delayed departure time, typically between 4 am to 7 am, and pass through the charming town of Chivay.
Something to consider! Many Colca Canyon tours originating from Arequipa, as well as those booked online, typically exclude the S/.70 Colca Canyon entry ticket, a mandatory requirement for all canyon visitors. This fee can only be paid in cash on the day of your hike.
What should I pack?
Navigating the ever-changing weather of the Colca Canyon requires a little bit of strategic packing. Here's a list of things we believe will ensure you're prepared for everything!
Clothing - Opt for lightweight, breathable clothing suitable for sweating under the sun. Think about bringing along a couple extra layers or a jacket, particularly for once you arrive at your overnight stop.
Sun Protection - of course this is a no brainer! Bring a cap and slather yourself in sunscreen!
Insect Repellent - though we didn't encounter too many, its always good to be able to combat those pesky mosquitos.
Rain gear - we had no rain on our hike, but incase the weather is showing a bit of drizzle, its always good to be able to keep yourself dry.
Trekking Pole - this one is optional, however we hired one bamboo stick each before the trek and it did come in useful for the loose rock areas and the second day uphill trek.
Water - keep yourself hydrated! I'd recommend bringing at least 1-2 liters, however water is available on the way once you've reached the villages.
Snacks - once again you do have options to buy these along the way, but we would recommend bringing something with a little sugar to perk you up along the way!
Our experience of the 2 day hike in Colca Canyon, Peru
We woke up bright and early at 2:30am, to get ready for our 3am pickup from our hostel in Arequipa. We were picked up in an air conditioned van with around 10 other people. This was just the beginning of our adventure as we had a sleepy 3 hour journey from here to Chivay, where we would be stopping for our breakfast.
3 hours later we were gently awoken from our power naps, greeted by the announcement of our arrival in Chivay. The first thing we all noticed was how COLD it was once stepping out of the van. Chivay stands at around 3,635m elevation, which is a whole different story to the 2,335m in Arequipa! So we bundled up in our warmer clothes and went to breakfast in our new picturesque, remote surroundings. Breakfast consisted of bread, jam, eggs and coffee and this was the first place we actually had chance to talk to the group as we had all risen from our groggy early mornings with the help of a couple of hot coffees. It soon became apparent that the majority of the group here were day-trippers. Amongst them, only three others shared our commitment to embark on the hiking expedition, so it forged a kind of camaraderie between us, as we prepared to embark on the next leg of our adventure together!
Once we had all filled up on bread and jams, we regrouped in the van and made our way to Cruz del Condor, a breathtaking viewpoint offering a spectacular vista of the canyon. Here, if fortune smiles upon you, you may witness the majestic flight of the Andean condors. These are some of the largest birds on Earth - boasting wingspans of up to 3.2 meters and weighing as much as 15kg! It really was amazing to watch them in flight, huge but gracious, circling around the canyon. It's one of those moments that you realise you might never get another chance to see something like this again!
We watched at the viewpoint for around 30 minutes exploring the area, soaking in the serenity of the surroundings and capturing memories to cherish. Then we bid the day-trippers farewell and split into our small group of 5, prepared to embark on our hiking expedition. We drove for another 15 minutes where we met with our lovely guide, Percy, who would be leading us for the next two days.
Day 1, the hike begins!
Our journey led us to Pampa San Miguel, the starting point for our three-hour descent of 1300 meters to the Colca River. We had a chance here to hire poles and buy extra snacks before our journey. We decided to hire one bamboo pole each, which cost us $1.35 each (5sol).
The trail, though not overly steep, winded gracefully into the canyon, offering stable footing for the most part. However, the occasional loose, slippery rocks made us grateful for deciding to hire the bamboo stick for support! Percy, our knowledgeable guide, would stop to tell us tales of the history, intriguing facts, and insights into the local fauna. The views on the journey were incredible, we could see the bridge at the bottom growing closer with every step. It was here where we knew we only had another hour or so until lunch, so we were raring to go!
Upon crossing the bridge, the path changed into sections of gentle inclines, descents, and straight stretches. Despite the sun, our group found the walk extremely manageable and we were thoroughly enjoying getting to know one another along the way. As we reached San Juan de Chuccho village at 2300 meters, we found our lunch spot. We arrived at around midday and we were all so excited for our food. True to Peruvian hospitality, our meal commenced with a steaming bowl of soup, followed by Lomo Saltado - one of our favorite dishes! It's beef based, cooked with onions and peppers and a side of fries. It also came with some delicious guacamole. To top it all off, our table had an amazing view of the canyon!
After our satisfying lunch, our journey continued through quaint villages like Malata and Cosnirhuha, each offering glimpses into the lives of those dwelling in the depths of the canyon. We had just three hours remaining until we reached our eco-hotel for the night. Along the way, Percy paused to introduce us to plants boasting natural mosquito-repelling properties, ensuring added protection for our upcoming overnight stay.
As we arrived to the summit of the final cliff edge, we looked down at our final descent. Percy pointed out to us where we would be staying, by pointing at a POOL! Energized by the prospect of a refreshing dip, we hiked down the last hill in 30 minutes, raring to jump into the refreshing waters.
We arrived at our hotel and we were pleasantly surprised! We were greeted by a huge pool, complete with a happy hour to unwind. Private double rooms awaited us too, with shared outdoor toilets and showers. We loved it! We had a splash around in the pool and had a delicious dinner with our group, before heading to bed ready for a 4am wake up call.
Day 2 - the last stretch of the hike!
Rising at 4 am, we geared up for the final leg of our adventure. Despite aiming to hit the trail by 4:30 am, one member of our group needed a bit more time, so we eventually left at 4:45 am. Setting out in the darkness, we were gradually greeted by the soft glow of the emerging sun, illuminating the canyon before us. Alongside us, a pair of friendly dogs joined us, accompanying us every step of the way. This was something that we found happened on every one of our hikes around South and Central America!
Typically a three-hour hike to reach Cabanaconde at 3280 meters, we faced a 1050-meter ascent ahead.. For those who struggled the previous day, theres a couple of options: to either take a horse up or start the trek a little earlier than your group. However, we were finding the hike manageable, so we decided to go ahead of our group, while our guide remained with the slower-paced members. Our pace led us to reach the top well ahead of schedule, arriving at 6:55 am, so we eagerly awaited the arrival of our group. Once everyone had celebrated reaching the top, we had a flat 20 minute walk to our well-deserved breakfast at 8:15 am.
After breakfast, this is where we rejoined with those who are doing a day trip. We had a short drive to a rejuvenating hot spring, which was incredibly welcome after our morning hike! We paid $5.38 (20sol) and relaxed in the waters with a beer in hand. There was also the option to try zip lining or quad biking too, but we chose to stick with relaxation.
After this we went for a buffet lunch, this wasn't included and cost $10.77 (40sol) per person which we did think was a little steep. But it was an all-you-can-eat type affair and we certainly had our fill! On the journey back to Arequipa, we stopped at a volcano viewpoint which was at a cool 4910m. Despite the chill carried by the wind, the view of the three majestic volcanoes - Ampato, Sabancaya and Hualca Hualcain - in the distance left us in awe, adding yet another highlight of our 2 day adventure. With our adventure coming to a close, our journey back to Arequipa was filled with reflecting on our amazing 2 days!
Looking to continue the adventure in Peru? Click here to discover all the thrilling experiences we had during our journey! Don't miss out on any updates - follow us on Instagram to stay connected and inspired by our ongoing travels! 🌎✨
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