2 Day Trek Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon

Colca Canyon gives you a rare two-day challenge: a long descent into the canyon, a night beside a warm pool in Sangalle, and a sunrise climb back out. You also get the practical bonus of ending in Puno, rather than returning to Arequipa.

I like the small maximum group of 12, which should give you more contact with the guide, and I like that your luggage is transported while you hike. The views, condor sightings, traditional villages, terraces, and camelids near Pampa Cañahuas give this trip plenty of variety.

The hard part is hard indeed. The second morning means about three hours uphill, with roughly 950 to 1,200 meters of climbing, often by torchlight. The accommodation and food are basic, and the online price may be far higher than booking in Arequipa.

Key points to know before booking

• A 3 a.m. start from Arequipa leads to Chivay, Condor’s Cross, and the trailhead near Cabanaconde.
• The first hiking day is mostly downhill, dropping from about 3,300 meters to 2,100 meters before reaching Sangalle.
• Sangalle sits around 1,900 meters, with a warm swimming pool and simple bungalow accommodation.
• The return climb begins at 5 a.m., and the uphill section can take about three hours.
• The tour finishes in Puno, with a scenic transfer through Pampa Cañahuas and its llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos.
• Extra costs include the Colca Canyon entrance, hot springs, and final lunch, while the online price deserves careful comparison.

Why this two-day Colca Canyon route works

I like this tour because it treats Colca Canyon as more than a quick viewpoint stop. You see the canyon from above at Condor’s Cross, then walk into it through small settlements and agricultural terraces. That gives you a better sense of its scale than a roadside photo stop alone.

The route also solves a common Peru planning problem. After the trek, you do not need to return to Arequipa before continuing to Lake Titicaca. The transfer from Chivay to Puno takes you onward, arriving around 6:30 p.m. if the schedule runs as planned.

The price is listed at $179 per person. That can be reasonable for a two-day trip with hotel pickup, guided hiking, meals, overnight lodging, and the Chivay to Puno transfer. But check local prices before paying online. Some people on the same departure paid less than half by booking at a local office in Arequipa. That is a major difference, not a small booking fee.

Leaving Arequipa at 3 a.m. for Chivay

The day begins between 3:00 and 3:30 a.m. with pickup at your hotel or hostel in Arequipa. The drive to Cabanaconde takes about six hours, though the first scheduled stops break up the journey.

You reach Chivay around 7:30 a.m. for breakfast. The Plaza de Armas is a short stop, about 30 minutes, but it gives you a first look at the town’s traditional houses and colorful surroundings. This is not a long town visit, so think of it as a breakfast and orientation stop rather than free time in Chivay.

The early start is necessary if you want to fit the canyon hike, but it is still tiring. You will already have spent several hours on the road before setting out on foot. Pack a small day bag with water, sun protection, warm layers, and only what you need for the night.

Condor’s Cross and the canyon from above

Condor’s Cross, or Cruz del Condor, is the visual high point of the morning. The viewpoint is known for Andean condors, birds with wingspans of more than three meters and weights of up to 12 kilograms.

You may see condors gliding over the canyon, but no wildlife sighting can be guaranteed. The stop also gives you the best broad view of the canyon before the trail drops into it. Take time to look at the terraces and the steep walls, because the scale becomes harder to grasp once you are walking inside the canyon.

The scheduled stop is about 30 minutes. That is enough for photos and a look around, but not enough for a slow visit if the group is moving on to the trailhead.

The three-hour descent to San Juan de Chuccho

From near Cabanaconde, you begin the first major hike. The trail drops for about three hours, from roughly 3,300 meters to 2,100 meters. Downhill walking may sound easy, but steep descents can be rough on your knees, especially after a long morning on the road.

The route leads to San Juan de Chuccho, a small village with vegetation and fruit trees. Lunch is served there, followed by time to rest. This break matters. You still have more walking before Sangalle, and the heat can feel stronger as you lose altitude.

The trail then continues through Cosñirhua and Malata. These settlements make the walk feel connected to local life rather than just a mountain exercise. You pass through inhabited parts of the canyon before descending into its deepest section.

The scenery is the chief reward, but the physical demand should be clear. This is not a gentle stroll. The tour requires a moderate fitness level, and you should be comfortable walking for several hours on uneven, steep paths.

Sangalle: warm water and a basic night

The group aims to reach Sangalle around 5 p.m. At approximately 1,900 meters, Sangalle is warmer than the high country around Arequipa. Its swimming pool is a welcome place to loosen tired legs after the descent.

The overnight stay is in a simple bungalow at Cielo Azul Lodge or a similar basic accommodation described as Oasis Ecolodge. Do not expect polished hotel facilities. Reports describe the lodging as comfortable enough for one night but somewhat shabby, with basic services and no hot water.

That tradeoff is part of the route. You are sleeping at the bottom of the canyon so you can start the climb early, not choosing a resort for its rooms. Dinner is included, and a basic night is easier to accept when the pool and canyon setting are the main attractions.

Keep your expectations modest about meals too. The included food is adequate rather than a reason to book the tour. One local-family lunch has been described as tasty, with fresh natural juices, but quality can vary. Bring small snacks if you know you need food between scheduled meals.

The 5 a.m. climb back to Cabanaconde

Day two begins at about 5 a.m., often with torch lights. The uphill hike takes around three hours and is the toughest part of the trip for many people. You gain approximately 950 meters, with some descriptions putting the total climb closer to 1,200 meters depending on how the route is measured.

The early departure has one clear benefit: sunrise can make the canyon walls look spectacular. The drawback is that you are climbing before breakfast, after a demanding first day. Set a steady pace, use your walking poles if you have them, and keep your backpack light.

You should not carry your full luggage on the trail. Luggage transport is arranged, which is one of the tour’s most useful practical features. Still, pack your own water, layers, torch, sunscreen, and personal items in a small daypack.

Breakfast comes in Cabanaconde after the climb. Reaching town is a satisfying finish to the hiking section, but you still have a full day of transport ahead.

Chacapi hot springs near Chivay

After breakfast, the group travels toward Chivay and stops at Chacapi hot springs. Entry costs 15 Peruvian soles and is not included. The pools range from about 30 to 60 degrees Celsius, so you can choose a temperature that suits you.

The stop lasts about an hour and is optional. I think it is a sensible add-on after the early climb, especially if your legs are stiff. Just remember that the hottest pool may not be comfortable after strenuous exercise, and the tour does not include the entrance fee.

Chivay also offers the chance to buy a typical local lunch. The final lunch is not included, with a listed buffet price of 30 soles. You can budget for it or choose another meal option if available.

The road from Chivay to Puno

The afternoon transfer is the tour’s practical prize. Instead of returning to Arequipa, you ride from Chivay toward Puno. The trip includes a change of buses, so keep your essentials with you and pay attention when the group transfers.

The road reaches elevations as high as about 4,830 meters before descending to Puno at approximately 2,325 meters. That altitude change can be noticeable, even after the canyon hike. Carry water and an extra warm layer, since high passes can feel cold.

The route passes through the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve, stopping at Pampa Cañahuas. The formal stop is brief, around 10 to 15 minutes, but you may see volcanoes and South American camelids for more than an hour along the road.

Pampa Cañahuas is home to llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos. The reserve gives you a final change of scenery after two days of canyon walls and mountain trails. Arrival in Puno is scheduled for about 6:30 p.m., with hotel or hostel drop-off if your accommodation is in the city center.

What is included, and what you still pay

The tour includes dinner, lunch, two breakfasts, overnight accommodation, and the transfer from Chivay to Puno. It also covers the organized transport between stops and luggage handling during the hike.

Budget separately for these required or optional costs:

• Colca Canyon entrance: 70 soles per person
• Chacapi hot springs: 15 soles per person
• Final lunch in Chivay: about 30 soles per person

The extra fees are not large on their own, but they affect the final cost. The bigger issue is the starting price. At $179, this trip may be fair if you value having transport, lodging, meals, and the Puno connection arranged. Yet the difference between online and local booking prices can be enormous.

If you are already in Arequipa and have time to compare, ask local offices for the exact two-day route, accommodation, meals, and Puno transfer before booking online. Make sure you are comparing the same service, not just a shorter canyon excursion.

Who should book this trek?

I would choose this experience if you want an active canyon trip and need to continue to Puno. It suits people who prefer an organized route, do not want to arrange separate buses, and can handle long days at altitude.

It is also a good fit if you want more than the classic condor viewpoint. The villages, fruit trees, terraces, Sangalle pool, early-morning climb, and camelids at Pampa Cañahuas create a fuller picture of the region.

I would not choose it for a relaxed holiday. The first day starts before dawn and ends after a long descent. The second day begins early with the hardest uphill section. Basic accommodation, simple meals, and a changing-bus transfer may frustrate anyone expecting comfort.

The tour has a maximum of 12 people, which is helpful on a demanding trail. Service animals are allowed, but the stated fitness requirement is moderate, and the steep terrain remains the main issue.

Should you book the Colca Canyon to Puno trip?

Book it if the direct Puno transfer is valuable and you want to walk into Colca Canyon rather than only view it from the road. The condors, Sangalle pool, sunrise climb, and Pampa Cañahuas wildlife make this an efficient two-day connection between southern Peru’s major destinations.

Before paying $179, compare the price in Arequipa. That is the most important practical step. If the local rate is close to the online price, the included transport and organization can make the tour worthwhile. If it is less than half, booking locally may offer much better value.

Also, take the cancellation rule seriously. The experience is non-refundable and cannot normally be changed, though poor weather may lead to a new date or full refund. Book only when you are confident about the dates and ready for a demanding mountain trek.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins around 3:00 a.m. from your hotel or hostel in Arequipa. Some scheduling information gives the departure window as 3:00 to 3:30 a.m.

How long is the hike on the first day?

The first day includes about three hours of downhill hiking from roughly 3,300 meters to 2,100 meters, followed by additional walking through the canyon to Sangalle.

How difficult is the second day?

The second day begins around 5:00 a.m. and includes approximately three hours of uphill hiking to Cabanaconde. The climb gains about 950 meters, with some route information describing the gain as about 1,200 meters.

Where do you sleep?

You sleep in a basic bungalow in Sangalle, at an accommodation described as Cielo Azul Lodge or Oasis Ecolodge. Facilities are simple, and hot water may not be available.

Is the Colca Canyon entrance included?

No. The entrance fee is listed as 70 Peruvian soles per person and must be paid separately.

Is the Chacapi hot springs visit included?

The visit is optional, and the entrance fee of 15 Peruvian soles per person is not included.

Does the tour finish in Puno?

Yes. After the trek and the Chivay stops, a transfer takes you to Puno, with arrival scheduled for about 6:30 p.m. Drop-off is provided for hotels or hostels in central Puno.