Peru/Arequipa – Cañón del Colca

Three hours from Arequipa is the Cañón del Colca (Colca Canyon) with amazing trekking possibilities. At 4,160 meters, Colca is the second deepest canyon in the world, only surpassed by its big Peruvian brother, Cotahuasi. You’ll find incredible scenery, invigorating mountain air, giant condors and volcanic hot springs.

I chose to do the 2 day trek with a guid, but you could do it without one. I was really happy I took the tour because everything was included and made it easier. The experience was difficult, I have to be honest, but I am very proud that I survived it and I do recommend it!

Day 1:

Departure at 3am from the hostel with a mini van. We drive for about 3 hours and stop for breakfast. Another 30 min ride and stop at the Mirador Cruz del Cóndor (look out of the condor cross). Depending on the time of the year, you will be able to see lots of condors (or they say, because we saw.. none!). Another ride to the start of the trek.

The first 3 hours is basically going downhill, but on very dry and rocky paths. It’s slippery and gets VERY hot so make sure to bring a lot of water! We did see some condors on the way, so the disappointment of the Mirador Cruz del Cóndor kind of went away. We then crossed a bridge to the other side of the canyon and had lunch in a small hut-restaurant.

From there we walked about 3 hours “inca flat” as they call it: going up and down, up and down. The environment is totally different: a lot of plants, aloe vera, agave, fruit and vegetable trees (avocados, figs, oranges, pomegranate, etc.). The guide explains a lot about the different medicinal plants, which is very interesting and allows for small breaks. We also got to see a small waterfall, which was a nice breath of freshness!

We finished with an hour downhill, very hard on the knees, to arrive to the Oasis (originally called Sangalle) where we could enjoy a quick jump in the pool. After dinner, served at 7pm, I can assure you we were all in bed!

Day 2:

Departure at 4am and we start walking in the dark (don’t forget your headlamp!). The trek is about 3 hours long and is only going up! Being tired from the day before and the lack of sleep, this was really a challenge. Especially with the cold, because the higher we got, the colder it got! But arriving at the top gives you a unique sense of accomplishment and the scenery, once daylight, is magnificent!

But we weren’t done! Another hour walking, but flat thank God!, to the Cabanaconde village for breakfast.

We then joined the bus that brought us to different look outs over the ancestral farming terraces.

We had lunch in Chivay and enjoyed the hot springs/thermal baths. This was a real treat after the hike! Different baths with different temperatures, all natural, where you can just soak and feel your muscles relaxing. I also went into the freezing river to activate the circulation!

We then stopped at the viewpoint of the volcanoes (highest point 4910m) and in National Reserve of Aguada Blanca and Salinas where we could enjoy seeing herds of alpacas and llamas, as well as a large group of vicuñas. And then we got back to Arequipa around 5pm.

You can book the tour in various hostels. I booked it in Le Foyer, it was 135 soles, but in Arequipay it was apparently 110 soles. Ask to have James (or Jens) as a guide, he was incredible!!
Included: bus tour, 2 breakfasts, lunch and dinner on day 1, night in the oasis.
Not included: lunch on day 2, entrance to thermal baths (15 soles), water (pretty expensive about 12 soles a bottle).