Does all the research you’ve made on Colca Canyon tours point you in the same direction? A full day tour from Arequipa or a two day tour? Read on for an alternative, new way to enjoy this wonder of nature away from the crowds.
99% of tours offered by Arequipa tour companies consist of the same itinerary (for your reference):
Photo: Jhonny Melon
Full day itinerary
Very early start from Arequipa with pick up from your accommodation around 4am. Drive past the town of Chivay, breakfast somewhere along the way, stop at the village of Maca, arrive in Cruz del Condor viewpoint to see the Condors, drive to the village of Yanque, quick dip in the hot springs, lunch in Chivay and back to Arequipa arriving around 5pm.
Two-day itinerary
Day 1: Regular starting time in Arequipa (~8am). Take your time to get to the town of Chivay, make more stops along the way, lunch there. Free afternoon or relaxing in the hot springs in Chivay or nearby Yanque. Evening attending a traditional folk pena show along with dinner.
Day 2: Morning drive to Maca and onto Cruz del Condor viewpoint to see the Condors, lunch in Chivay, drive back to Arequipa to arrive around 4-5pm.
Even though both itineraries include a brief stop in the outer rim of the little known Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve, this quick stop only scratches the surface of the unimaginable beauty of this hidden jewel of southern Peru. Salinas translates as ‘salt flats’ and that is exactly what you miss by taking any of the ‘standard’ itineraries described above. In addition, the wildlife of this region includes pink flamingos, the graceful vicuña, vizcachas and other domestic animals such as alpacas and llamas. Colored mountains, dormant volcanoes and rock gardens are some more of the attractions of this reserve.
On this 2-day 4WD: Colca Canyon tour from Arequipa visiting Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve, we get to know this protected area in depth, enjoying surreal salt flats, photographing Andean fauna, getting to know traditional Peruvian life, completely off the beaten track away from the crowds. You will learn about life in the Altiplano (high plateau) while enjoying dramatic landscapes previously thought inexistent in Peru; all of this on day one of the trip. On the second day of the tour, you will visit the better known Cruz del Condor viewpoint to witness the flight of the Andean Condor while not missing the hot springs and the colorful village of Maca.
In short, if you want to have the privilege of enjoying a Colca Canyon tour in a completely new and different way than the average offer, check out this trip here.
