Arequipa & Colca Canyon
Tours in Arequipa & Colca Canyon, Peru
Arequipa is Peru’s second-largest city and one of its most architecturally distinctive. Built at 2,335 m in a high valley between three volcanoes — El Misti (5,822 m), Chachani (6,057 m), and Pichu Pichu (5,664 m) — the city earned the name «Ciudad Blanca» (White City) because almost every colonial building was constructed from sillar, a lightweight white volcanic stone. The Historic Center, with its gleaming white cathedral and cloisters, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Two hours north of Arequipa, the Colca Canyon descends to 3,270 m below the canyon rim — making it one of the deepest canyons on earth (the Grand Canyon is 1,800 m deep). The canyon is home to Andean condors (Vultur gryphus), the largest flying bird on earth with a wingspan up to 3.3 m. Every morning between 08:00 and 10:00, these magnificent birds catch thermal updrafts rising from the canyon floor and soar at eye level above the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint. Watching a condor glide silently 3 meters overhead is one of the defining wildlife experiences in South America.
Tours in Arequipa & Colca Canyon
0 toursNo tours found in Arequipa & Colca Canyon
Try different filters
Why visit Arequipa & Colca Canyon
- Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint — The single best condor-watching point in the world; condors typically appear 07:30–09:30 am, catching morning thermals rising from the 3,270 m canyon
- Santa Catalina Monastery (Monasterio de Santa Catalina) — A 16,000 m² walled city within a city, functioning until 1970 with cloistered nuns; vivid painted streets and perfectly preserved colonial quarters
- Colca Canyon trekking — 2-day hike descending 1,200 m into the canyon to the Oasis (Sangalle), natural swimming pools at the canyon floor, ascending by mule or on foot
- Arequipa Cathedral — Neoclassical white sillar cathedral dominating the Plaza de Armas; the interior has a Belgian pipe organ (1870) and an extensive colonial art collection
- Misti Volcano — Day hike or overnight trek to the 5,822 m summit; one of South America's most accessible high-altitude volcanic climbs
- Juanita the Ice Maiden — Museo Santuarios Andinos: the preserved body of a 12–14 year old Inca girl sacrificed on the summit of Ampato volcano (6,288 m) around 1450 CE; one of the best-preserved frozen mummies in the world
- Traditional Arequipa cuisine — Rocoto relleno (stuffed spicy pepper), chuño stew, adobo pork breakfast: the city has a distinct regional food culture different from Cusco
Best time to visit Arequipa & Colca Canyon
Dry season (April–November) is best for Colca Canyon: clear skies for condor watching, firm canyon trails, and cooler temperatures for trekking. May–August is peak. Condor sightings are most reliable in the dry season when thermals are strongest.
Wet season (December–March) — Colca Canyon trails become muddy and slippery, and occasional rockfalls can close the road to Cruz del Cóndor. Arequipa city is fine year-round. Condors are still present in wet season but slightly less reliably seen at Cruz del Cóndor before thermal development.
Best time at Cruz del Cóndor: 07:30–09:00 am, year-round. Arrive before 08:00 am for the best positions on the viewpoint. By 09:30 am the thermals weaken and condors return to the canyon. Afternoon is secondary condor activity (15:00–17:00) but less reliable.
How to get to Arequipa & Colca Canyon
From Lima: Rodriguez Ballón International Airport (AQP) receives daily flights from Lima (1h 20m; from $50 USD one-way). Lima–Arequipa is a busy domestic route with multiple daily departures.
From Cusco: Daily bus services (10 hours via Cruz del Cóndor Road or overnight via the altiplano). Alternatively, fly Lima–Arequipa and do a circular trip. Some travelers do Cusco → bus to Puno → bus to Arequipa → fly Lima as the «southern circuit».
From Arequipa to Colca Canyon: The road to Chivay (entry to Colca region) is 3.5 hours by private vehicle or tour bus. Cruz del Cóndor is a further 1.5 hours from Chivay. All our Colca Canyon tours include round-trip transportation from Arequipa with hotel pickup.
What to pack for Arequipa & Colca Canyon
- Warm layers — Arequipa nights reach 5–10°C; Colca Canyon rim at 3,900 m drops below 0°C
- Windproof jacket for the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint (often very windy)
- Trekking boots for canyon trek (descending 1,200 m on loose rock)
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ and UV sunglasses
- Camera with telephoto capability (100–300mm for condor photography)
- Binoculars for condor watching
- Swimwear for Colca thermal baths (La Calera hot springs near Chivay)
- Altitude medication if sensitive (canyon rim is 3,600–4,000 m)
- Cash in soles for Colca entry fee (~S/.35 PEN per person, not always included in tour price)
Arequipa & Colca Canyon Itinerary
Day 1: Arequipa City Tour
Morning: Santa Catalina Monastery (2 hours — allow extra time, it's larger than expected). Lunch in the historic center. Afternoon: Arequipa Cathedral and Plaza de Armas, Museo Santuarios Andinos (Juanita the Ice Maiden). Evening: traditional dinner — rocoto relleno at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Arequipa → Colca Canyon → Chivay
05:30 am departure from Arequipa. Stop at Mirador del Cóndor at 4,910 m for vicuña spotting. Arrive Chivay (3,635 m) by 10:00 am. Visit local market. Afternoon: La Calera thermal baths. Overnight in Chivay (3-star hotel).
Day 3: Cruz del Cóndor → Colca Trek → Return Arequipa
06:00 am: drive to Cruz del Cóndor (45 min). 07:00–09:00: condor watching at the viewpoint. Optional 3-hour canyon trek to the Sangalle Oasis (overnight extension available). Return Arequipa by 18:00–19:00.
FAQ about Arequipa & Colca Canyon
4How deep is Colca Canyon compared to the Grand Canyon?
Colca Canyon reaches 3,270 m depth at its deepest point (measured from the highest canyon rim). The Grand Canyon's maximum depth is approximately 1,800 m. So Colca Canyon is nearly twice as deep. However, the Grand Canyon is much wider (16–29 km vs. Colca's 3–4 km at mid-canyon), which makes it look larger. Cotahuasi Canyon, 250 km west of Arequipa, is even deeper at 3,535 m and is sometimes cited as the world's deepest canyon.
Is it guaranteed to see condors at Cruz del Cóndor?
Not 100% guaranteed, but sightings in the dry season (April–November) between 07:30–09:30 am are very reliable — roughly 90% of morning visits produce multiple condor sightings. The condors use Cruz del Cóndor specifically because of the thermal updraft pattern at that point. In wet season and on overcast mornings, thermals develop later and sightings are less predictable. We have never had a group leave Cruz del Cóndor in dry season without seeing at least one condor.
Can I trek inside Colca Canyon?
Yes — the 2-day Colca Canyon trek descends 1,200 m to the Sangalle Oasis at the canyon floor (1,750 m), where there are basic guesthouses and natural swimming pools. Most trekkers ascend by mule on the second day (the ascent on foot is very steep and strenuous). The trek is of moderate-to-demanding difficulty and requires good fitness. It can be combined with the Cruz del Cóndor visit on Day 1 of the canyon section.
How does Arequipa's altitude compare to Cusco?
Arequipa (2,335 m) is 1,065 m lower than Cusco (3,400 m), making it noticeably easier to breathe. Most visitors don't experience altitude symptoms in Arequipa. However, the Colca Canyon rim (3,600–4,000 m) and the road to the canyon (which crosses 4,910 m at the Vizcachani pass) are at significantly higher altitude — altitude sickness at these points is possible, especially if you've come directly from Arequipa without prior acclimatization. Our drivers stop at 4,910 m for a brief coca tea break to help acclimatization.
Official endorsement
Associations & Certifications
We operate under the regulations and standards of Peru's leading tourism entities.
