A four-day journey between Arequipa and the Colca Canyon.
The programme opens in Arequipa, the 'White City', with a tour of the Santa Catalina Monastery, the Plaza de Armas and its Cathedral, and the Yanahuara and Carmen Alto viewpoints facing the Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu volcanoes. It continues to the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world, crossing the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve — home to vicuñas, alpacas and llamas — to the village of Chivay, and culminates at the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint where, conditions permitting, you watch the flight of the Andean condor. Accommodation is offered in 3-, 4- and 5-star categories.
Highlights
A tour of Arequipa's 'White City' and the Santa Catalina Monastery
The Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral of Arequipa
The Yanahuara and Carmen Alto viewpoints facing the Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu
The Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, with vicuñas, alpacas and llamas
The Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world
The Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint and the flight of the Andean condor
Day-by-day itinerary
Day1
Day 1: Arrival in Arequipa – city and Santa Catalina Convent
Arrival in the city of Arequipa; a flight arriving around 11:00 is recommended to allow enough time before the afternoon activities. Meeting and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, a tour of Arequipa, the 'White City', so called for its buildings of sillar, a pale volcanic stone. The tour begins at the Santa Catalina Monastery, a religious citadel of more than 20,000 m² founded in 1579 that preserves its colonial structure; it continues to the Plaza de Armas, the heart of the city, dominated by the Cathedral of Arequipa, and to the Yanahuara and Carmen Alto viewpoints, with panoramic views of the city and its three guardian volcanoes: the Misti, the Chachani and the Pichu Pichu. Overnight in Arequipa. Meals: none.
Day2
Day 2: Arequipa / Colca Canyon
Departure towards the Colca Valley, one of the deepest canyons in the world. Along the way you climb through striking landscapes, crossing the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where vicuñas, alpacas and llamas can be seen in their natural habitat. Around midday you reach the picturesque village of Chivay, the heart of the Colca Valley, at 3,600 m above sea level, where you enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with typical regional dishes. In the afternoon, free time to rest. Overnight in Colca. Meals: breakfast and lunch.
Day3
Day 3: Colca Canyon / Arequipa
Early breakfast at the hotel and departure to the Cruz del Cóndor, one of the most spectacular viewpoints of the canyon. There, conditions permitting, you can watch the majestic flight of the Andean condors, which ride the thermal currents to rise up the canyon; it is one of the most memorable moments of the trip. Back in Chivay, lunch is taken (not included) before setting off on the return journey to Arequipa. Overnight in Arequipa. Meals: breakfast.
Day4
Day 4: Arequipa / Lima
At the arranged time, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Lima. Meals: breakfast.
What's included
Included: Private airport / hotel / airport transfers
Included: Half-day tour of the city of Arequipa and the Santa Catalina Convent
Included: 2 nights' accommodation in Arequipa (2 breakfasts)
Included: 2 days / 1 night in the Colca Canyon (lunch included on day 1)
Included: 1 night's accommodation in Colca (1 breakfast)
What's not included
Not included: National and international airfare
Not included: National and international airport taxes
Not included: Early check-in and late check-out
Not included: Meals not mentioned in the programme
Not included: Expenses not specified in the programme
Not included: Tips and gratuities
Not included: Travel insurance
Not included: Anything not expressly mentioned as included
Optional services
Optional, at extra cost:
La Calera thermal baths — In Chivay, after lunch, the option to relax at the La Calera thermal baths, known for their therapeutic mineral-rich waters that reach temperatures of up to 38 ºC. Activity not included in the programme.