2 Day Trek Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon

Colca Canyon gives you a rare combination: giant Andean condors overhead and a strenuous walk into one of Peru’s great natural gorges. This two-day trip begins before sunrise in Arequipa, descends from Cabanaconde to Sangalle, then finishes with a steep climb and a long transfer to Puno.

I like the small maximum group of 12, which should give you more contact with the guide, and I like that the tour solves a tricky transport problem by taking you from Chivay to Puno. The drawback is clear: the climb out is hard, the lodge is basic, and several costs are extra.

Key points to know before booking

• A real canyon trek: Day one drops roughly 1,200 meters from the rim toward Sangalle, followed by a demanding uphill return.
• Condor viewing at Cruz del Condor: The viewpoint is known for Andean condors with wingspans of more than three meters.
• A warm pool at the bottom: Sangalle gives you a welcome place to rest after the descent, though accommodation is simple.
• Useful onward transport: The trip ends with a transfer from Chivay to Puno, arriving around 6:30 pm.
• Extra fees add up: Budget PEN70 for the Colca Canyon entrance, PEN15 for Chacapi hot springs, and PEN30 for the final lunch.
• Very early starts: Pickup begins around 3:00 am, and the second morning’s climb starts at 5:00 am by torchlight.

Why this Colca Canyon trip works well

This is not a gentle sightseeing outing with a short walk and a few photo stops. It is a proper two-day trek, with a long descent into the canyon, an overnight stay at Sangalle, and a steep return climb the next morning.

The route also makes practical sense if you are traveling from Arequipa toward Lake Titicaca. Instead of returning to Arequipa after the canyon, you continue through Chivay and the high plains to Puno. That transfer is one of the strongest reasons to choose this particular trip.

The tour costs $179 per person. That price includes dinner, lunch, two breakfasts, overnight accommodation, and the transfer from Chivay to Puno. You still need to add the Colca Canyon entrance fee, the optional hot springs, and the final lunch in Chivay.

One important price warning: local booking in Arequipa may be much cheaper than the online rate. A person on this trip paid considerably less through a local office, so I would compare prices before committing. The convenience of booking ahead may be worth something, but at $179, you should know you may be paying a large premium for that convenience.

The 3:00 am start from Arequipa

Your day begins at an hour when Arequipa is still dark and quiet. The drive to Cabanaconde takes about six hours, with a breakfast stop in Chivay around 7:30 am and a later stop at Cruz del Condor.

That early departure is necessary because the trek itself takes most of the day. Still, the schedule is demanding. You spend hours in a vehicle before walking downhill for about three hours, so you should not treat this as a relaxed first morning.

The transfer is direct to the Colca area, and the maximum group size is 12. That is small enough to make questions and pacing easier than on a large coach tour. You should still expect a full day with little spare time.

Breakfast and first views in Chivay

Chivay is a useful first stop rather than a major sightseeing visit. You have breakfast there and get about 30 minutes around the Plaza de Armas.

The town is known for traditional houses and colorful surroundings. This short pause lets you eat, use facilities, and get ready for the canyon walk. Do not expect a long town tour, since the schedule has to keep moving toward Cabanaconde.

Breakfast is included as part of the trip. The food is described as acceptable rather than memorable, so bring a few extra snacks if you know you need steady energy during a hard walking day.

Cruz del Condor and the canyon rim

The stop at Cruz del Condor is one of the trip’s main rewards. This viewpoint is considered one of the best places in South America to see Andean condors, which can weigh up to 12 kilograms and have wingspans exceeding three meters.

You get about 30 minutes at the viewpoint. That may be enough for a good sighting, but condors are wild animals, so no viewing can be guaranteed. Keep your camera ready, but also use the time to look across the canyon itself.

From Cruz del Condor, the bus continues for about 20 minutes to the trailhead. The walking begins at roughly 3,300 meters above sea level. You then lose altitude steadily, heading down toward the canyon floor.

Three hours downhill to San Juan de Chuccho

The first major walking section takes about three hours downhill, dropping to around 2,100 meters. Downhill sounds easy until you spend several hours on a steep trail. Your knees and toes can take a beating, especially if your shoes do not fit well.

The route leads to San Juan de Chuccho, a small village with vegetation and fruit trees. You stop there for lunch and time to rest. A local family meal may include fresh juices, which can be a welcome change after the early breakfast and long descent.

This is a good place to slow your pace. You have more walking ahead, and rushing the first descent will not help you later. Carry only what you need in your day pack. Luggage transport is handled during the trip, which means you do not need to carry your full travel bag down and up the canyon.

Cosñirhua, Malata, and the road to Sangalle

After lunch, the route continues through the small settlements of Cosñirhua and Malata. This section gives you a closer look at how people live in the canyon, with cultivated areas, fruit trees, and scattered village buildings rather than a succession of formal viewpoints.

The walk then heads farther into the canyon toward Sangalle. The whole first day takes about 11 hours from the early departure, so the final miles may feel long. You arrive at Sangalle at around 5:00 pm, usually ready to stop walking.

Sangalle sits at about 1,900 meters. Its lower elevation gives the area a warmer feel than the canyon rim. The warm swimming pool is the day’s best recovery feature. After a long descent, a soak can help your tired legs before dinner.

Overnight in Sangalle: useful, but basic

The overnight stay is in bungalows, listed as Cielo Azul Lodge in the itinerary. The accommodation is functional rather than polished. Expect basic facilities, and do not count on hot water.

That matters because the lodge is part of the price, but it is not a hotel-style night. One person found the oasis accommodation somewhat shabby, though acceptable for a single night. I would pack a small towel, toiletries, and anything you need to sleep comfortably.

Dinner is included. The food is serviceable, but the meals are not a reason to book this trip. The setting and the chance to rest at the bottom of the canyon matter more than culinary quality.

The 5:00 am climb out of Colca Canyon

The second day begins around 5:00 am. You start uphill in the dark, using torch lights, and climb for about three hours to Cabanaconde.

This is the hardest part of the trip. The climb gains roughly 950 to 1,200 meters, depending on how the elevation is measured along the route. You will feel the effort, especially after the previous day’s descent and with the high-altitude start.

The sunrise can make the early departure worthwhile. As the light comes up, you get changing views across the canyon and the slopes around you. Still, the scenery does not make the climb easy. You need a moderate level of fitness and should be comfortable walking uphill for several hours.

Pack lightly. One of the most useful practical details on this trip is that your larger luggage can be transported, so your day pack does not need to hold everything you own. Bring water, layers, a headlamp or torch, sun protection, and snacks.

Breakfast in Cabanaconde and the road to Chivay

Once you reach Cabanaconde, you have breakfast and a chance to recover. The town is the practical end of the trek, but the day is not over.

The route continues toward Chivay by vehicle. Along the way, you see pre-Inca terraces, archaeological remains, colonial towns, and broad views of the Colca area. This section gives you a different sense of the region after the close, physical experience of the canyon trail.

The contrast is useful. On foot, you notice villages and vegetation at a slow pace. From the road, you see how the canyon fits into a much larger high-altitude region.

Chacapi hot springs near Chivay

Around midday, you can stop at Chacapi hot springs near Chivay. Entry costs PEN15 and is not included.

The pools range from about 30°C to 60°C. After the morning climb, the warm water is an appealing option, but the hottest pool may not suit everyone. You have about an hour here, so it is a short recovery stop rather than a full spa visit.

You can also have a typical local lunch in Chivay. The final lunch is optional and costs about PEN30 for a buffet. Since lunch is not included, keep extra soles available.

Across Pampa Cañahuas to Puno

In the afternoon, the vehicle leaves Chivay for Puno. The route crosses the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve and reaches elevations as high as 4,830 meters before descending toward Puno at about 2,325 meters.

At Pampa Cañahuas, there is a brief stop of about 10 to 15 minutes. You may see volcanoes and South American camelids, including llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos. The stop itself is short, but the route offers views of the animals and volcanoes for more than an hour.

This is a useful transfer, not a sightseeing tour with long stops. You will spend much of the afternoon on the road. The benefit is that you reach Puno directly, with arrival around 6:30 pm, instead of needing to arrange another connection from Arequipa.

The transfer may involve changing buses. Luggage handling is part of the planning, but keep important items with you rather than in a stored bag.

What is included, and what is not

The $179 price includes:

• Transfer from Chivay to Puno
• Overnight bungalow accommodation in Sangalle
• Dinner
• Lunch during the trek
• Two breakfasts

The following costs extra:

• Colca Canyon entrance fee: PEN70 per person
• Chacapi hot springs: PEN15 per person
• Final lunch in Chivay: about PEN30 per person

The included meals are adequate, but not especially strong. Fresh juices and a home-cooked lunch can be pleasant highlights, while the general food quality is basic. Bring small snacks if you want more control over what you eat during the trek.

The biggest value comes from combining the canyon trek with the onward transfer. If you only want to see the condors, this is far more walking than you need. If you already need to reach Puno, the transport makes the package more useful.

Fitness, packing, and comfort

You need a moderate level of fitness, but that phrase should not be taken lightly. The first day involves a long descent, and the second day brings a sustained uphill climb in the early morning.

Good walking shoes are essential. Trekking poles may also help, though they are not listed as included, so you would need to arrange them yourself if desired.

Pack:

• A small day pack
• Water and snacks
• Warm layers for the early starts
• Sun protection
• A headlamp or torch
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Basic toiletries and a small towel
• Extra cash in Peruvian soles

The weather can affect the operation. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Personal cancellations or changes are non-refundable, so this is not a flexible booking.

Service animals are allowed. The tour is capped at 12 people, and confirmation is provided when you book.

Who should choose this two-day trek?

I would choose this trip if you want a physical Colca Canyon experience and need to continue toward Puno. It suits people who prefer a long day outdoors, simple lodging, local villages, and a practical transport link over a polished hotel package.

It is also a good fit if you want more than a roadside condor stop. You walk through the canyon, spend the night at Sangalle, and see how the scenery changes from high rim to warmer lower valley.

I would not choose it if you dislike very early starts, basic accommodation, or steep trails. The climb from Sangalle is not a small morning walk. You should also think twice if you want lots of free time at Chivay or the hot springs, since the onward schedule to Puno keeps the day moving.

The 4.7 rating from 38 ratings and 95 percent recommendation indicate strong overall satisfaction, but the practical complaints are worth taking seriously. Food and lodging are basic, and the online price may be much higher than local rates.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the transfer to Puno is as important to you as the canyon itself. You get a demanding but memorable route, condor viewing, an overnight stay at Sangalle, a warm pool, and a convenient onward connection.

Before paying, compare the $179 price with local agencies in Arequipa. Add the PEN70 canyon fee, PEN15 hot springs fee, and PEN30 lunch to your budget. If you accept the early starts and simple lodge, this is a practical way to turn a long transport day into a real Colca Canyon adventure.

FAQ

How long is the experience?

The experience lasts approximately two days. It begins with pickup in Arequipa around 3:00 am and ends in Puno at about 6:30 pm on the second day.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup begins at approximately 3:00 am from your hotel or hostel in Arequipa.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Is the Colca Canyon entrance fee included?

No. The Colca Canyon entrance fee is PEN70 per person and must be paid separately.

Is the Chacapi hot springs visit included?

No. The hot springs are optional, and entry costs PEN15 per person.

Is lunch in Chivay included?

No. The final lunch in Chivay is optional and costs about PEN30 per person.

Is the transfer to Puno included?

Yes. The transfer from Chivay to Puno is included, with arrival in Puno scheduled for around 6:30 pm.

What fitness level is required?

A moderate physical fitness level is required. The route includes about three hours walking downhill on the first day and about three hours climbing uphill to Cabanaconde on the second day.