3Day Hike to Colca Canyon from Arequipa

3Day Hike to Colca Canyon from Arequipa

The beautiful scenery on the way to Cabanaconde is part of this unique 3-day adventure. On your Colca Canyon Trek, you will trek down one of the deepest canyons in the world and enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience when watching the majestic condors fly. While trekking to the Village of Llahuar, the Apachetas (stone cairn) will guide your way just like in ancient times. Deep in the Canyon, you will fall in love with the Sangalle oasis, a perfect place for relax, taste mouth-watering nutritious local foods, and refresh in the natural swimming pool.

Day 1: Arequipa - Cabanaconde - LLahuar (L,D)

Your adventure begins as you’re collected from your hotel at 7am; an early start for nature’s explorer. As you travel, watch the charming countryside surrounding Arequipa transform into dramatic mountain ranges you are about to discover. Arriving in the picturesque village of Cabanaconde after an approximate 5-hour drive, prepare your mind and body for the day ahead with a sumptuous and nourishing lunch. Surrounded by natural flora and fauna, wandering over babbling brooks, your 4-hour trek will end at the remote village of Llahuar. Take in the grandeur of the land around you from dipping into a natural hot spring or fishing for wild trout. Let the landscape delight you in the simplicity of its natural offerings. As evening falls, a well earned dinner will be served. You may be able to taste a freshly caught trout supper before retiring to your rustic bungalow filled with that unique sense of excitement and satisfaction. Reflect on the day’s events as you fall asleep under the stars.

Hiking Time: Approximately 4 hours

Hiking Level: Moderate

Day 2: Visit Sangalle and return to Cabanaconde (B,L,D)

After breakfast, a second day of adventuring begins as you start towards Sangalle, the epitomy of serenity provided only by the protection of the mountains. Lunch will be taken at Sangalle, where afterwards you'll be free to spend time lounging around the tropical oasis pool or exploring the banks of Colca River. After some essential relaxing, the final stage of the day will be an ascension to Cabanaconde, where your final destination and rest point for the night will be the fantastic Kunturwassi Hotel.

Hiking Time: Approximately 7 hours

Hiking Level: Moderate

Day 3: Observe the Condors and have lunch with a local family (B,L)

Wake for your final day of exploring the Canyon. You'll be having breakfast at the hotel, before taking a private transport to Condor Cross. Sit back and relax as you take a car after two days of trekking. You'll be dropped off at one of the only vantage points in South America where you can see the magnificent flying condor in its natural habitat. If you're lucky, you'll be able to feel the wingbeat of the condor rippling the air across the canyon. Kings and Queens of the sky, this is a magical day for nature lovers. Lunch will be taken in Yanque, where you'll stop at a local family's house to eat to enjoy some respite and Colca hospitality. On your way back to Arequipa you will be able to stop off at Chivay, if you wish, to peruse the town and again relax in some hot springs (at own expense). You'll be arriving back at the White City of Arequipa at approximately 6pm.

Hiking Time: Approximately 4 hours

Hiking Level: Difficult