2 Day 1 Night Trek / Colca Canyon

Catch the canyon before sunrise. This two-day trek combines Andean condors at Condor’s Cross with a hard descent into Colca Canyon, a night at Cielo Azul Lodge, and a sunrise climb back out. I like the included transport and meals, since a 3 a.m. start is no time to hunt for breakfast. I also like having a swimming pool in Sangalle after the first day’s long downhill walk. The main catch is simple: the second day is a serious uphill hike, not a gentle morning stroll.

At $124 per person, the trip offers a practical package for anyone who wants the canyon without renting a car or arranging several separate transfers. The group is limited to 12 people, and guiding is available in English and Spanish. Still, the lodging is basic, the first breakfast may be small, and one past complaint described loud music on the early bus, so light sleepers may want earplugs.

Key points before you book

• The hike starts at about 3,300 meters and ends near 1,900 meters on day one, with roughly three hours of downhill walking before the canyon villages.
• The return climb begins at 5 a.m. by torchlight, lasts about three hours, and gains roughly 1,500 meters.
• Cielo Azul Lodge has a warm swimming pool, a welcome reward after reaching Sangalle.
• Condor’s Cross is included in the route, though clouds and season can affect what you see.
• Meals and transport are included, but canyon entry, hot springs, and the final lunch cost extra.
• Local mule rides are available for a fee, but the operator is separate from the tour and safety standards may vary.

Why this Colca Canyon trek works well from Arequipa

Colca Canyon is not a quick roadside attraction. It is a major journey from Arequipa, and this tour handles the long road sections for you. Pickup begins between 3:00 and 3:30 a.m., followed by a drive of about six hours toward Cabanaconde and the canyon rim.

That early departure is rough, but it makes the two-day plan possible. You reach Chivay around 7:30 a.m. for breakfast, continue to Condor’s Cross, and then begin the trek downhill. The return to Arequipa comes around 5:30 p.m. on day two, with drop-off at Calle Santa Catalina near Santa Catalina Monastery.

I like this setup because you do not need to arrange a separate bus, private driver, hotel transfer, and canyon guide. You can focus on walking. The private tourist transport also keeps the group together between stops, with a maximum of 12 people.

The value depends on how much you would pay to organize the same route yourself. The $124 price includes private transport, hotel or hostel pickup, two breakfasts, lunch, dinner, and the guide. It does not cover the Colca Canyon entrance, the hot springs, or the final lunch in Chivay. One past customer felt the tour could be found for less by booking directly in Arequipa, so it is worth checking local agencies if your budget is tight. The convenience of advance booking and included transport may still justify the higher price for you.

Day one begins at 3 a.m. and reaches Chivay

The first morning is about getting moving before the town wakes up. Pickup is from your hotel or hostel in Arequipa, and the bus heads toward Chivay.

You arrive in Chivay at about 7:30 a.m. for breakfast and a short stop in the Plaza de Armas. The town is known for traditional houses and its colorful setting among the high Andes. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, so think of it as a useful break and meal stop rather than a full town visit.

The included breakfast is convenient, but do not expect a large feast. One complaint described the first breakfast as tiny. I would carry a few extra snacks from Arequipa, especially because the hiking day is long and the next proper meal comes later.

From Chivay, the bus continues to Condor’s Cross. This viewpoint is one of the best-known places in South America for seeing Andean condors. These large birds can weigh up to 12 kilograms and have wingspans of more than three meters.

Condors do not follow your tour schedule, of course. Cloud cover can block the canyon, and the season can affect sightings. You might see birds from the viewpoint, or you might spot them later along the route. One past account described seeing condors during the descent even though clouds hid the main viewpoint.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. Bring patience, keep your eyes on the canyon walls and open sky, and do not judge the entire stop by the first few minutes.

The three-hour descent into Colca Canyon

After Condor’s Cross, the bus continues for about 20 minutes to the trailhead. The downhill walk begins at roughly 3,300 meters and drops toward the canyon floor.

The first descent takes approximately three hours. This sounds easy until you remember that downhill walking can be hard on your knees, especially on uneven ground. You also began the day before dawn and may still be adjusting to the altitude.

The route continues through small canyon settlements, including San Juan de Chuccho, Cosñirhua, and Malata. San Juan de Chuccho offers vegetation and fruit trees, a sharp change from the high, dry rim. Lunch is served there, followed by time to rest.

This is one of the best parts of the route because you are not simply looking at Colca Canyon from a viewpoint. You walk through inhabited areas and see how the canyon changes as you lose altitude. The villages, fruit trees, terraces, and narrow trail give the hike a more grounded feel.

The walk continues after lunch toward the deeper part of the canyon. The trail passes through Cosñirhua and Malata before the final stretch to Sangalle. The full first-day hike is described as roughly 18 kilometers in one account, although exact distance can vary with the route and group pace.

Bring water and pace yourself. Bottles can cost between 6 and 10 soles along the route, so carrying enough from the start can save money. At the same time, do not overload your pack. The walk is long, and every unnecessary item becomes noticeable by late afternoon.

Sangalle and the Cielo Azul Lodge

Sangalle sits at approximately 1,900 meters, much lower than the canyon rim. After the dry high country and several hours on foot, the warm swimming pool at Cielo Azul Lodge is the main reward.

You arrive at about 5 p.m., then have dinner and sleep in bungalows. The pool gives you a chance to loosen tired legs, but do not expect a luxury resort. The accommodation is basic, and one past account strongly recommended bringing a sleeping bag liner. I would also pack a small towel, sunscreen, and clothing that dries quickly.

Dinner is included, which matters after a long day. The quality can be simple, and one complaint noted bugs around the meal. That is part of the trade-off here: you are sleeping in a remote canyon village, not a polished hotel in central Arequipa.

The lodge is valuable mainly because of its location. You do not need to continue hiking after reaching Sangalle, and you do not need to arrange your own overnight stay. The pool also turns a demanding day into something more memorable and pleasant.

The 5 a.m. climb back to Cabanaconde

The second day starts at about 5 a.m. You climb toward Cabanaconde using torch lights, with the first part of the walk taking place before sunrise.

The uphill section lasts approximately three hours. It gains about 1,500 meters, making it the hardest physical part of the trip. The early light can reveal excellent views as the canyon changes color, but you need solid stamina to enjoy them.

Do not book this trek because you like the idea of hiking. Book it because you are comfortable with a long descent followed by a steep climb. The tour requires a moderate level of fitness, but the second day may feel harder than that wording suggests.

One account described the first day as manageable downhill walking, followed by five kilometers of almost continuous climbing the next morning. That is a useful warning. You should be prepared for a sustained uphill effort, not a few scenic steps after breakfast.

Mules may be offered by local operators if you cannot manage the climb. The mule service is not provided by the tour company and is operated by locals in the canyon. The service is not regulated by authorities, and safety standards may vary.

I would treat a mule ride as a last resort and ask careful questions before agreeing. A past incident involved poorly adjusted foot supports and riders who were not given enough instruction. If you use one, make sure your feet and straps are properly fitted before the animal moves.

Breakfast, Chivay, and the optional hot springs

After reaching Cabanaconde, you have the second included breakfast. From there, the group travels toward Chivay by bus.

The route back includes views of pre-Inca terraces, archaeological ruins, and colonial towns. These stops help explain why Colca is more than a canyon viewpoint. The area combines dramatic geology with farming terraces and long-settled communities.

Around midday, the bus reaches Chivay’s hot springs. Visiting is optional. The pools have water temperatures listed from 30°C to 60°C, and the stated entry fee is not included.

There is a fee inconsistency in the supplied tour details: one section lists the hot springs at 15 soles, while the exclusions list 70 soles. Confirm the current price before you go. Either way, carry extra soles if you want to bathe.

The hot springs are a sensible choice after the morning climb. If your legs are tired, the warm water may be more useful than another hurried stop. If you are eager to return to Arequipa or want to keep costs down, you can skip it.

A local lunch in Chivay is also optional and costs extra. The listed buffet price is 30 soles. Since lunch is not included on the second day, budget for it or carry food.

Pampa Cañahuas and the high-altitude return

The final road section passes through Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve. At Pampa Cañahuas, the bus stops briefly, officially about 10 to 15 minutes.

The short stop is enough to see volcanoes and South American camelids. You may spot llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos in the area. The bus also passes through high country for more than an hour, so keep your camera ready even after the formal stop ends.

The return route drops from about 4,830 meters to Arequipa at roughly 2,325 meters. That change in altitude helps explain why the day can feel tiring even while you are sitting on the bus.

Arrival is expected around 5:30 p.m., with drop-off at Calle Santa Catalina near Santa Catalina Monastery. This is useful if you are staying in central Arequipa, but it is not described as a direct drop-off at every hotel. Confirm the exact return point if you have evening plans or luggage stored elsewhere.

What the guide and group size add

Guiding is available in English and Spanish. The small maximum group of 12 gives the guide a better chance to keep an eye on the pace and help during the demanding sections.

Guide Eveline received especially warm praise for being competent, kind, and supportive. The most appealing part of that description is her balance: she provided information, then allowed people space to enjoy the canyon while helping during the harder parts of the trek.

That style suits this route. You do not need a nonstop lecture while climbing, but you do need someone who can explain the places you pass and respond when the altitude or exertion begins to affect you.

The guide cannot remove the physical difficulty. Heat-related sickness affected some people in one group, and the guide helped them through the first day. Take that as a reminder to pace yourself, drink water, and tell the guide early if you feel unwell.

What to pack for this two-day route

You need a light pack with the basics for one night and two hiking days. I would bring:

• A sleeping bag liner for the basic bungalow
• A headlamp or small torch, even though the group uses lights for the early climb
• Plenty of water and high-energy snacks
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Comfortable hiking shoes with reliable grip
• A swimsuit for the Sangalle pool and optional Chivay hot springs
• Light layers for the high rim and warmer clothing for the canyon
• Extra soles for water, hot springs, and the optional lunch

The altitude changes quickly, so layers matter more than bulky clothing. Sunscreen is useful even when the air feels cool. Carrying snacks is also wise because the first breakfast may not satisfy a hungry hiker.

The tour allows service animals, but the physical route, overnight bungalow, transport, and steep trail should be considered carefully before booking with one. The stated fitness level is moderate, and the early climb deserves serious attention.

Should you book the Colca Canyon trek?

Book this tour if you want to walk into Colca Canyon, sleep there, and climb out at sunrise without arranging your own transport or meals. The condor viewpoint, canyon villages, warm pool, terraces, and camelids give you a broad look at the region in only two days.

I would especially recommend it to fit hikers who value convenience and a small group. The guide support, included meals, and private tourist transport make the price easier to justify.

I would not choose it if you want a relaxed sightseeing trip, soft beds, or a gentle walk. The 3 a.m. departure, basic overnight stay, long first-day descent, and steep second-day climb are real demands. Check the extra entrance fees, compare prices with local Arequipa agencies, and confirm the hot springs charge before paying.

The tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking, except when poor weather forces cancellation and the operator offers another date or a full refund. Make your decision carefully, then arrive rested, packed lightly, and ready for a very early start.

FAQ

What time does the tour begin?

Pickup begins between 3:00 and 3:30 a.m. from your hotel or hostel in Arequipa.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel or hostel pickup in Arequipa is included, along with the return transfer to Calle Santa Catalina near Santa Catalina Monastery.

How difficult is the trek?

The tour requires a moderate physical fitness level. Day one includes about three hours of downhill walking, while day two starts at 5 a.m. with about three hours of uphill hiking to Cabanaconde.

What meals are included?

The price includes two breakfasts, one lunch, and one dinner. The final lunch in Chivay is not included and is listed at 30 soles per person.

Is the Colca Canyon entrance fee included?

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

Are the hot springs included?

No. The hot springs near Chivay are optional and cost extra. The supplied details list different prices, 15 soles in one place and 70 soles in another, so confirm the current fee before visiting.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 people.