2 Day 1 Night Trek / Colca Canyon

The big draw here is the change in scale: you begin high above one of the world’s deepest canyons, then walk down into its dry folds, fruit-growing villages, and warm Sangalle oasis. Condor’s Cross adds a superb wildlife stop, while the sunrise climb on day two gives you a clear sense of how much ground you covered.

I like that transport, meals, and lodging are bundled together, so you do not have to arrange a long bus journey or search for dinner after a hard hike. I also like the small-group limit of 12 and the chance to cool off in the pool at Cielo Azul Lodge. The catch is simple: this is a serious trek, not a gentle sightseeing walk. The five-hour uphill return begins at 5:00 am, and the basic lodge and early start will not suit everyone.

Key points before you book

• The canyon walk drops from 3,300 to about 1,900 meters, with roughly three hours of downhill hiking on the first day.
• The return climb takes about three hours, starting around 5:00 am with torch lights and sunrise views.
• Condor’s Cross is an early highlight, but clouds and season can affect what you see.
• Cielo Azul Lodge has a swimming pool, a welcome treat after the hot, steep descent.
• English and Spanish guiding is available, with groups capped at 12 people.
• Extra costs matter: the Colca Canyon entry, hot springs, and final Chivay lunch are not included.

Why this two-day Colca Canyon trek is worth considering

Colca Canyon is not a quick viewpoint stop. This trip takes you down into the canyon itself, where the scale feels more real than it does from a roadside lookout. You pass pre-Inca terraces, small settlements, fruit trees, and dry mountain slopes before reaching Sangalle, a warm oasis far below the rim.

The price is $124 per person. That is not always the cheapest way to arrange a Colca Canyon visit, and you may find lower local prices in Arequipa. Still, the package includes private tourist transport, hotel or hostel pickup, two breakfasts, lunch, dinner, guiding, and an overnight stay. I would compare the total cost of arranging those pieces yourself, not just the advertised tour price.

You also avoid the tricky logistics of getting to Cabanaconde before sunrise and finding your way back to Arequipa after the climb. For many people, that convenience is worth paying for. The service has an average rating of 4.5 from 92 ratings, but the mixed scores point to an important truth: the canyon itself is the star, while comfort and operations can be basic.

Leaving Arequipa at 3:00 am

The first pickup is between 3:00 and 3:30 am. That means a very short night, so organize your bag and clothing before going to sleep. The drive to the Colca area is long, with the transfer to Cabanaconde taking about six hours when stops are included.

A private tourist vehicle and hotel or hostel pickup are included. The group size is limited to 12, which should make it easier to keep track of the group on the trail and ask the guide for help. Guiding is available in English and Spanish. Eveline is one guide associated with this trip and has been praised for being kind, supportive, and willing to give people room to enjoy the canyon at their own pace. Ask ahead if she will lead your departure, since guides can vary.

The early departure is practical rather than comfortable. One account described music playing on the bus at 3:00 am, so if you are sensitive to noise, bring earplugs and keep expectations modest. This is a transport-heavy morning followed by a demanding hike.

Chivay breakfast and the road to Condor’s Cross

The first stop is Chivay, reached at about 7:30 am. You have breakfast here, with the meal included in the tour. The town is known for traditional houses and colorful mountain scenery, but this is a short stop of about 30 minutes, not a full town visit.

Do not expect a large, leisurely breakfast. One account found the first meal quite small, so carry a snack in your daypack. You will need fuel later, especially if you are affected by altitude or usually eat early.

From Chivay, the vehicle continues to Condor’s Cross. This viewpoint is famous for Andean condors, which can weigh up to 12 kilograms and have wingspans of more than three meters. The birds use rising air currents near the canyon walls, and seeing one pass close to the viewpoint can be the morning’s best moment.

The viewing is never guaranteed. Clouds can cover the canyon, and condor sightings vary by season. You may still see the birds later along the trail, as happened on one departure when the viewpoint was hidden by clouds. Give yourself time to look, but do not judge the whole trip by the success of this one stop.

The three-hour descent into the canyon

After Condor’s Cross, you ride about 20 minutes to the trailhead. The first hiking section drops from roughly 3,300 meters to about 2,100 meters and takes around three hours.

Downhill walking sounds easy until you spend several hours braking with every step. Loose surfaces, heat, and altitude can make the descent tiring, especially if your knees are sensitive. Good shoes with a firm grip are important. Trekking poles would also be useful, though they are not listed as included, so bring your own if you use them.

The canyon changes as you lose height. You move away from the broad viewpoint and into narrower sections with terraces, dry slopes, vegetation, and village paths. The walk is rewarding because you are not simply looking at the canyon from above. You are moving through it.

Lunch comes in San Juan de Chuccho, a small village with vegetation and fruit trees. This is also a chance to rest before the next section. Lunch is included, but the meal style is simple. Carry water and a few extra snacks, since food and drinks along the trail can cost more than in Arequipa.

San Juan de Chuccho to Sangalle

After lunch, the route continues through Cosñirhua and Malata before dropping farther into the canyon. The pace and exact feel of this section can depend on heat, group fitness, and the guide’s decisions.

Sangalle sits at roughly 1,900 meters. The lower altitude and warm climate make it feel very different from the high rim. You arrive at about 5:00 pm, then have dinner and sleep in bungalows at Cielo Azul Lodge.

The lodge is basic. That is part of the deal when you spend the night deep in the canyon rather than returning to a city hotel. Dinner is included, but do not expect polished restaurant service. One account noted insects around the meal, which is hardly surprising in a warm outdoor setting, but it is worth knowing if you want a more comfortable stay.

The swimming pool is the lodge’s best feature. After several hours of downhill walking, soaking your legs in warm water can make the evening much more pleasant. Bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, and a lightweight towel if you have space. A sleeping liner is also a smart addition, since the accommodation is described as very basic.

The 5:00 am climb back to Cabanaconde

The second day begins around 5:00 am. You climb for about three hours, using torch lights at first, from Sangalle back up to Cabanaconde. This is the section that decides whether the tour suits you.

The climb gains roughly 1,500 meters and takes about five kilometers, according to one detailed account. That is steep work. The sunrise can be beautiful, with the canyon opening below you as the light improves, but you must earn those views one slow step at a time.

You can reportedly rent a mule locally if you cannot manage the climb. Be careful here. The mule service is provided by local operators and is not part of the tour company’s service. Safety standards are not regulated, and there have been problems with stirrup or foot-cup adjustment for inexperienced riders. I would treat a mule as a last resort, not as a planned shortcut, and ask your guide about the current arrangements before deciding.

A moderate fitness level is officially required, but I would read that as a real warning. You need stamina for a long downhill day followed by a steep uphill morning. Heat-related sickness has affected people on the first day, so pace yourself, drink regularly, and tell the guide early if you feel unwell.

Breakfast, Chivay, and the hot springs

After reaching Cabanaconde, you have breakfast and continue by vehicle toward Chivay. The return road offers views of pre-Inca terraces, archaeological remains, and colonial towns. These glimpses help connect the hike with the wider Colca region, rather than treating the canyon as an isolated trail.

Around midday, the trip reaches Chivay and the Chacapi hot springs. This stop is optional and costs extra. The supplied information gives two different admission figures, 15 soles in the day-by-day details and 70 soles in the list of exclusions, so confirm the current price before you go.

The pools are described as ranging from about 30°C to 60°C. After the cold, hard climb, the hot springs can be a fine way to loosen tired muscles. The hottest pool may not suit everyone, and you should not feel pressured to join if you are dehydrated or worn out.

A typical local lunch in Chivay is also optional and costs 30 soles according to the listed details. It is not included in the tour price. You may want it after the morning climb, but keep extra soles available for this meal, the hot springs, drinks, and snacks.

The high pass and camelids on the way back

The return drive crosses high country, descending from about 4,830 meters to Arequipa at roughly 2,325 meters. At Pampa Cañahuas in the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve, you may see volcanoes and South American camelids.

The short formal stop is about 10 to 15 minutes, but the route offers views of alpacas, llamas, vicuñas, and guanacos for more than an hour. This is a useful final contrast with the canyon. You go from a warm oasis at low altitude back through stark high mountain country before returning to the city.

Arrival in Arequipa is expected around 5:30 pm, with drop-off near Calle Santa Catalina and Santa Catalina Monastery. That is a full second day, so do not schedule an important evening connection immediately afterward.

What the $124 price really covers

The package includes:

• Private tourist transport
• Pickup from your Arequipa hotel or hostel
• Two breakfasts
• One lunch
• One dinner
• English or Spanish guiding
• Overnight accommodation at Cielo Azul Lodge

You still need to budget for the Colca Canyon entry fee of 70 soles per person, the Chacapi hot springs, and the final lunch in Chivay. The hot-spring price needs confirmation because the supplied details list both 15 and 70 soles.

At an average booking lead time of 92 days, this departure is often reserved well ahead. That does not prove it is the cheapest option, but it does suggest you should not leave it until the last minute if your dates are fixed.

The best value comes from convenience. You get transport over a long route, meals on the trail, a guide, and a bed at the bottom of the canyon. The weaker value is comfort. The lodge is basic, the first breakfast may be small, and the vehicle ride begins in the middle of the night.

Who should book this trek?

You should consider it if you want to walk into Colca Canyon rather than only view it from a roadside stop. It suits hikers with good endurance who can manage three hours downhill on day one and three hours of steep uphill walking before breakfast on day two.

It is also a good fit if you prefer a planned package with hotel pickup, meals, and transport. A small group of up to 12 gives you a better chance of personal guidance than a large coach tour.

I would hesitate if you want a relaxed canyon visit, comfortable accommodation, or a flexible sleep schedule. I would also think twice if you have not done sustained uphill walking recently. The canyon is magnificent, but the route is not gentle.

Should you book the Colca Canyon trek?

Book it if the idea of earning the views appeals to you. The condors, terraces, villages, warm Sangalle pool, sunrise climb, and camelid sightings give this trip real variety. You get a close look at the canyon that a simple viewpoint tour cannot provide.

Skip it if you mainly want an easy day trip or if basic lodging and a 3:00 am departure sound miserable. Before paying, confirm the hot-spring fee, ask who will guide your group, and budget for the canyon entry and Chivay lunch. Pack water, snacks, sunscreen, a swimsuit, a sleeping liner, and sturdy footwear. With those expectations in place, the $124 package can be a practical way to tackle one of Peru’s most demanding and memorable walks.

FAQ

Where does the trek begin?

You are picked up at your hotel or hostel in Arequipa. The vehicle travels to Cabanaconde, with stops in Chivay and at Condor’s Cross before the hike begins.

What time does pickup start?

The stated start time is 3:00 am, with pickup described as taking place between 3:00 and 3:30 am.

How long is the first day of hiking?

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

How long is the uphill hike on day two?

The climb from Sangalle to Cabanaconde takes about three hours and begins at around 5:00 am.

Where do I sleep?

You spend the night in bungalows at Cielo Azul Lodge in Sangalle. The lodge has a swimming pool, and the accommodation is basic.

Are meals included?

Two breakfasts, one lunch, and one dinner are included. The final lunch in Chivay is not included.

Are the Colca Canyon entrance and hot springs included?

No. The Colca Canyon entrance fee is listed as 70 soles per person. The hot springs are also extra, though the supplied details list different prices, so confirm the current admission cost.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. Guiding is available in English and Spanish.

How many people are in the group?

The maximum group size is 12 people.