More time to rest - more time to enjoy
The idea of this full day Colca tour is to visit and enjoy the canyon in a single day but without rushing. It is true that you have to visit the viewpoint early to observe the flight of the condor, but it is not necessary to start at 03:00 am. Our private tour starts at 04:30 am so the trip doesn't become strenuous.
We pick you up at 04:30am and drive for about 4 hours to the Colca canyon to get to the viewpoint of the condors in time to observe them patiently, the viewpoint is called Cruz del condor and is considered the best viewpoint to truly appreciate the vast expanse of Colca Canyon and also the prime location for condor viewing. Before arriving at the condor viewpoint we will stop for breakfast in a restaurant located in the Colca valley.
The distance from Arequipa to the Cruz del condor viewpoint is 205 km (127 miles), by an asphalted road, which will allow us to reach the viewpoint of the condor between 08:30 and 09:00 a.m. We will drive safely and respecting the speed limits, essential factors for our tours. Upon arrival to viewpoint, many tourists will be back to Chivay, we will wait a little and we can enjoy the tranquility of the canyon and the flight of the condor, when they return to their nests. We can do a short walk near the Colca canyon cliffs (40 min approximately) from the Mirador de la Cruz to the Cruz del cura viewpoint and then will continue our journey through the Colca valley.
En el camino de regreso a Chivay haremos paradas en puntos estratégicos de observación del valle del Colca para apreciar las terrazas o andeneria pre-Inca con cultivo agricolas, del mismo modo los pueblos y el paisaje natural de este hermoso destino. Pasaremos por los pueblos de Pinchollo, Maca, Achoma, Yanque y Chivay, y visitaremos los miradores de Wayrapunku, Anatahuilque y Choquetico.
On the way back to Chivay we will make stops at strategic points of observation of Colca valley to appreciate the terraces with crops, the villages and the natural landscape of this beautiful destination. We'll pass through the villages of Pinchollo, Maca, Achoma, Yanque and Chivay, and will visit the viewpoints of Wayrapunku, Anatahuilque, and Choquetico.
As it is a private excursion we can avoid stopping in the most touristy viewpoints and stop in less crowded ones, also stay as long as you want. before lunch we will visit the Chacapi hot springs, located in Yanque village, overthere you can take a relaxing thermal bath and enjoy the 32°C-38°C of Colca mountains mineral water. Later we'll have the buffet lunch with the most typical dishes of the peruvian cuisine.
Until now we just have been visited only the left bank of the Colca valley; before leaving Colca if you are not tired we can make a special visit to discover more about the history and cultural legay of Colca culture. We will visit the pre-Inca city Uyo Uyo, it is a archaeological site located on the right bank of the Colca river. We will walk for approximately 1.30 hours in this interesting ancient village touring its stone constructions and then we will begin the return trip to Arequipa.
On the way back to Arequipa will stop at the volcanoes viewpoint, located at 4910 m.s.n.m (16108 ft); is the highest point of the tour, overthere will observe volcanoes such as Ampato, Sabancaya (active one) , Hualca Hualca, Mismi, Misti and Chachani, we can also stop to take pictures of llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas that is common to find on the road back to Arequipa. For more information please send a message to infoperunatred@gmail.com or info@perunatred.com
