2 Day 1 Night Trek / Colca Canyon

The best part of this Colca Canyon trek is the great change in scenery over two days: condors circle above the rim, then you walk down through villages and fruit trees to Sangalle, far below. The next morning reverses the whole trip with a steep climb by torchlight.

I like the simple logistics and the chance to sleep inside the canyon rather than merely stare into it from a bus. I also like having meals, transport, and a guide included. The catch is serious: the uphill return is hard, and the overnight lodge and food are basic.

Key points to know before you book

• The first day is mostly downhill: You descend from about 3,300 meters to roughly 1,900 meters over a long, demanding walk.
• The second morning is the test: Expect about three hours of uphill walking before breakfast in Cabanaconde.
• Condor’s Cross is an early highlight: You may see Andean condors with wingspans of more than three meters.
• Sangalle offers a warm pool: Cielo Azul Lodge gives you a welcome place to rest after the descent.
• The group is small: The maximum is 12 people, with English and Spanish guiding available.
• Extra costs add up: The canyon entrance, hot springs, and final lunch are not included in the $124 price.

Why this two-day trek is worth considering

Colca Canyon is not a quick roadside attraction. The rim views are impressive, but the real reward comes from walking into the canyon and seeing how the climate changes as you lose altitude. The route passes small settlements, old terraces, fruit trees, and steep walls that make the canyon feel far larger than it first appears.

This trip gives you that experience without asking you to arrange every transfer and meal yourself. You are picked up in Arequipa around 3:00 or 3:30 in the morning, driven toward Cabanaconde, and returned to Arequipa around 5:30 in the afternoon the next day. It is a packed schedule, but it solves the awkward transport problem between Arequipa and the canyon.

The tour is rated 4.5 out of 5 from 92 ratings, and the strongest praise centers on the canyon itself, the scenery, and supportive guiding. Guide Eveline has been singled out for being kind and helpful during the difficult parts of the walk. That matters here. A good guide can keep the day organized without crowding you when you want to enjoy the views quietly.

Still, this is not a gentle sightseeing outing. The first day includes roughly 18 kilometers of downhill walking, and the second day includes about five kilometers of steep climbing with a height gain of around 1,500 meters. You need solid endurance, comfortable footwear, sun protection, and a sensible attitude toward altitude and heat.

3:00 a.m. departure from Arequipa

The early start is one of the practical realities of Colca Canyon. You leave your hotel or hostel while most of Arequipa is still asleep, then spend about six hours reaching Cabanaconde, with stops along the way. Private tourist transport and hotel pickup are included, which is useful if you do not want to rent a car or piece together public transport before dawn.

The schedule can feel rough at first. One complaint concerned music playing on the bus at 3:00 a.m., so bring earplugs if you sleep lightly. You should also keep a small day bag close at hand with water, sunscreen, a warm layer, and anything you need during the long drive.

The first stop is usually Chivay, where you have breakfast around 7:30 a.m. The town is known for traditional houses and colorful surroundings. This meal is included, although it has been described as quite small, so carrying a little extra food is wise.

Condor’s Cross and the long descent

From Chivay, the bus continues to Condor’s Cross, the famous viewpoint above Colca Canyon. This is the classic place to watch Andean condors ride the air currents. The birds can weigh up to 12 kilograms and have wingspans of more than three meters, so seeing one glide across the canyon is a memorable moment.

The viewpoint is not guaranteed to be clear. Clouds can cover the canyon, and condors may appear elsewhere along the route instead. On one outing, the birds were seen during the descent even though the viewpoint itself was cloudy. That is a useful reminder not to judge the entire morning by ten minutes at the lookout.

After the viewpoint, the bus travels about 20 more minutes to the trailhead. Then the walking begins in earnest. You descend from approximately 3,300 meters to around 2,100 meters over about three hours before reaching San Juan de Chuccho.

Downhill sounds easy until you have been doing it for hours. The uneven route can be hard on knees and ankles, and the altitude does not disappear simply because you are losing elevation. Pace yourself early. The temptation is to hurry because the path points downward, but saving your legs is more important than arriving first.

San Juan de Chuccho, Cosñirhua, and Malata

Lunch comes in San Juan de Chuccho, a small village with vegetation and fruit trees. This is a useful pause after the first descent, both for eating and for letting your legs recover. The change from the dry upper canyon to greener lower sections helps explain why Colca is more than a dramatic viewpoint.

After lunch, the route continues through the small settlements of Cosñirhua and Malata. You walk farther into the canyon, with the walls rising around you and the path linking communities that feel far removed from Arequipa’s city streets.

The walking remains demanding even though the main descent is behind you. You should expect a long day that may last around 11 hours from the morning departure to arrival in Sangalle at about 5:00 p.m. The guide’s role is especially useful here, since the group needs to keep moving while still allowing time for rest and scenery.

Sangalle and Cielo Azul Lodge

Sangalle sits at roughly 1,900 meters and is often called an oasis because of its warmer climate and green surroundings. The warm swimming pool at Cielo Azul Lodge is the day’s great payoff. After hours on the trail, you can rest your legs in the water rather than simply collapse into bed.

The overnight stay is basic. Set your expectations accordingly. The bungalows and dinner provide shelter and food, but this is not a polished hotel. The meal has been described as very simple, and insects may be present around dinner. A sleeping-bag liner is a smart addition, especially if you prefer your own layer between you and the bedding.

You receive dinner that night and breakfast the next morning. Meals are included, which keeps the trip simple, but portions and quality may feel modest. You should bring snacks for the trail and carry enough water for the day. Water sold along the route may cost 6 to 10 soles for a one-liter bottle, so buying supplies in advance can save money.

The 5:00 a.m. climb back to Cabanaconde

The second day begins around 5:00 a.m., often with torch lights. You climb for approximately three hours to Cabanaconde, gaining roughly 1,500 meters. This is the part that determines whether the trip feels like a rewarding challenge or an overambitious mistake.

The sunrise can make the climb special. As the light reaches the canyon walls, you gain wide views behind you and a clear sense of how far you descended the day before. But the scenery does not make the climb easy. The route is steep, and breakfast does not come until you reach Cabanaconde.

Some people hire local mule operators for the ascent, commonly for about 60 soles. This is not a service provided or regulated by the tour company. Safety standards may be limited, and problems have been reported with foot placement and stirrup adjustment, especially for people who have never ridden before. I would treat a mule as a last resort, not as a planned part of the excursion, and ask questions about the arrangement before accepting a ride.

If you have heat-related symptoms, trouble with altitude, or a serious physical limitation, tell the guide early. The guide can support you, but this route still demands personal fitness. Service animals are allowed, yet the steep trail and basic overnight conditions may make the practical side difficult.

Breakfast in Cabanaconde and the ride to Chivay

Once you reach Cabanaconde, breakfast provides a welcome reset. From there, you leave the trail and continue by transport toward Chivay. The return ride offers views of pre-Inca terraces, archaeological remains, colonial towns, and the upper canyon.

Around midday, you reach the Chacapi hot springs near Chivay. Several pools are available, with water temperatures listed from 30 to 60 degrees Celsius. The stop lasts about an hour and is optional. After the steep climb, soaking your legs can be a good idea, though the hottest pools will not suit everyone.

There is a price conflict in the supplied details: one section lists the entrance as 15 soles, while the final cost information lists 70 soles. Since the tour price excludes the hot springs, confirm the current entrance fee before departure. The final lunch in Chivay is also extra, with a buffet listed at 30 soles per person. You can choose to eat there or make your own arrangement, but lunch is not part of the $124 package.

Pampa Cañahuas and the return to Arequipa

The drive back crosses Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve. At Pampa Cañahuas, you make a short stop to see volcanoes and South American camelids. The formal stop lasts about 10 to 15 minutes, though you may continue seeing llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos for more than an hour from the road.

This is a pleasant final contrast to the canyon. The hike takes you into a warm, low section of Colca, while the return route climbs to about 4,830 meters before descending again to Arequipa at roughly 2,325 meters. The changing elevations are part of what makes the journey interesting, but they can also leave you tired.

Arrival in Arequipa is expected around 5:30 p.m., with drop-off near Calle Santa Catalina and Santa Catalina Monastery. The return point is useful if you are staying in the historic center, though you should confirm the exact drop-off arrangement if your accommodation is elsewhere.

What the $124 price really covers

At $124 per person, the tour includes a lot of practical support:

• Hotel or hostel pickup in Arequipa
• Private tourist transport
• English or Spanish guiding
• Two breakfasts
• One lunch
• One dinner
• Overnight accommodation at Cielo Azul Lodge
• Return transport to Arequipa

The package saves you from arranging a very early transfer, a canyon guide, food, and the return ride separately. The maximum group size is 12, which is small enough for the guide to keep track of the pace and help during difficult sections.

The price does not include the Colca Canyon entrance fee, listed as 70 soles per person, the hot springs, or the final lunch in Chivay. Add those costs before comparing this trip with other options. One practical concern is that the same type of outing may be available for less if you arrange it directly in Arequipa. The convenience of booking ahead has value, but price-sensitive visitors should ask local operators what they charge.

The cancellation terms are strict: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. Bad weather is the exception. If the operator cancels because conditions are unsafe, you should be offered another date or a full refund.

Who should book this Colca Canyon experience

I would recommend this trek to you if you want a real canyon walk rather than a viewpoint tour, and if you are comfortable with basic accommodation and long days. It suits people who enjoy physical challenges, early starts, village paths, and scenery that changes with altitude.

I would not choose it for a relaxed weekend, a family trip with young children, or anyone who dislikes steep trails. The first day is long, but the second morning is the real hurdle. You need good endurance and should be ready to walk uphill for three hours before breakfast.

Pack light, but bring a sleeping-bag liner, sun cream, a hat, sturdy shoes, warm layers for the early start, snacks, and plenty of water. A small torch is useful, though the group may use lights during the pre-dawn climb. Keep some soles available for water, the hot springs, the canyon entrance, lunch, and any optional local service.

Should you book it?

Book this two-day trek if you want the most active version of a Colca Canyon visit and value having transport, meals, and a guide organized for you. The condors, villages, warm pool, sunrise climb, and reserve wildlife give the trip real variety.

Skip it if you want comfort, flexible timing, or an easy way to see the canyon. At $124, it is convenient rather than necessarily the cheapest option, and the basic lodge, small first breakfast, strict cancellation policy, and demanding uphill return deserve careful thought. For fit walkers with realistic expectations, it offers a close look at Colca that a bus-only excursion cannot provide.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins around 3:00 to 3:30 a.m. in Arequipa.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately two days and one night, returning to Arequipa around 5:30 p.m. on the second day.

What languages are available for guiding?

Guiding is available in English and Spanish.

How difficult is the trek?

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. The first day includes about three hours of downhill walking, while the second day includes approximately three hours of uphill walking to Cabanaconde.

Where do you sleep?

You spend the night in bungalows at Cielo Azul Lodge in Sangalle. A swimming pool is available.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package includes two breakfasts, one lunch, and one dinner. The final lunch in Chivay is not included.

Are the Colca Canyon entrance and hot springs included?

No. The Colca Canyon entrance fee and the hot springs entrance are extra. The provided cost details list the canyon entrance at 70 soles per person and the hot springs at 70 soles per person, though another section gives a different hot springs price, so confirm the current fee.

Is the tour refundable if I cancel?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you should be offered another date or a full refund.