From Arequipa: 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno

Condors, hot springs, and a canyon in two days. This trip turns the long journey from Arequipa to Puno into a useful sightseeing route, with time in Chivay, a soak in Calera, and a morning at the famous Cruz del Condor viewpoint. I especially like the small group limit of 17 people and the fact that transport continues all the way to a downtown Puno hotel.

I also like the mix of scenery, colonial towns, local dress, wildlife, and mountain viewpoints. The main drawback is altitude: this is not a good choice if you are dealing with altitude sickness, and the extra fees for canyon entry, hot springs, and meals push the real cost above the advertised $103.

What makes this route worth considering

• A smart Arequipa to Puno transfer: You get sightseeing in Colca Canyon instead of spending the whole day simply moving between cities.
• A two-stage canyon visit: Calera provides a relaxed first afternoon, while Cruz del Condor brings the main dramatic view on Day 2.
• A real chance to see Andean wildlife: Keep watch for llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and condors.
• Chivay as an overnight base: The one-night stay breaks up the journey and gives you an early start for the canyon viewpoint.
• Costs are partly separate: Budget for the Colca entry fee, meals, and the optional hot springs.
• English and Spanish guidance: A live guide accompanies the tour for both days.

Why the Arequipa to Puno route works so well

Many trips between Arequipa and Puno are simply transfers. This one makes the route part of the experience. Instead of treating Colca Canyon as a side trip that requires returning to Arequipa, you visit the canyon and continue onward to Lake Titicaca’s gateway city.

That makes this tour especially useful if your Peru plans already move from Arequipa to Puno. You save a separate transfer day, and you get a closer look at the highland towns and scenery between the two cities.

The tour costs $103 per person. That is a fair starting price for two days of transport, a guide, one night in a private-bathroom hotel, breakfast, and drop-off in downtown Puno. But you need to add the Colca Canyon entrance fee: S/ 70 for most foreign visitors, S/ 40 for Latin American citizens, and S/ 20 for Peruvians.

The hot springs cost another S/ 15 if you choose to enter. Lunch and dinner are also separate, with meal options available from about S/ 25 per person. In practical terms, the tour offers good value if you want the transfer included, but it is not an all-inclusive $103 package.

Day 1: Leaving Arequipa for Chivay

Pickup is provided from your hotel in downtown Arequipa. The exact starting time depends on availability, so check the schedule carefully and be ready at your hotel rather than assuming a late morning departure.

The road takes you out of the city and toward the highlands. Along the way, you can expect broad mountain views, volcanoes, and open country where llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas may appear. These animals are part of what makes the route feel different from a standard city-to-city transfer.

The scenery is a major reason to sit by a window if you can. The tour description does not promise a specific seat, so you should not count on having an unobstructed view, but the countryside is worth watching whenever the road opens up.

You arrive in Chivay and check into a 2-star hotel with a private bathroom. This is simple accommodation, not a luxury mountain retreat. Its main value is practical: you have a place to sleep in the canyon area, and you do not need to return to Arequipa after the first day.

Lunch is not included. You will have time to eat in Chivay, with options starting at around S/ 25 per person. Since the tour is at altitude and continues after lunch, I would keep the meal moderate and bring water for the afternoon.

Chivay also gives you a chance to see more of the region’s traditional towns, clothing, and folklore. The visit is not presented as a long cultural workshop, so keep your expectations realistic. You are getting guided stops and an introduction to local life rather than a slow, in-depth town tour.

Calera hot springs: An easy first-afternoon stop

After lunch, the group visits the hot springs at Calera. The water temperature ranges from 35 to 38 degrees Celsius, which makes this a comfortable place to rest after the transfer from Arequipa.

I like the timing. You do not have to tackle the main canyon viewpoint immediately after arriving, and the warm water gives you a quiet break before the overnight stay in Chivay. For many people, this will be the most restful part of the first day.

Entry is optional and costs S/ 15. Bring a swimsuit and whatever you need for changing, since the tour price does not cover this part. The hot springs are not essential to the canyon experience, so you can skip them if you would rather save money or spend more time around Chivay.

The phrase medicinal waters is used for the springs, but you should treat the experience as relaxation rather than medical treatment. Also pay attention to how your body feels at altitude. A warm soak may be pleasant, but it is wise not to overdo it if you feel unwell.

You spend the night in Chivay. Breakfast is included on the second day, while dinner is not. That means you should plan on buying dinner locally, with options listed from about S/ 25.

Day 2: Cruz del Condor and the great canyon view

After breakfast, the group heads to Cruz del Condor. This is the central sight of the tour and the place where you get the strongest sense of Colca Canyon’s scale.

The viewpoint looks into one of the deepest canyons in the world. The canyon is not just a single scenic overlook, however. Its appeal comes from the combination of enormous cliffs, mountain air, distant ridges, and the possibility of seeing condors riding the rising air.

Condor sightings are not guaranteed. The tour gives you the chance to look for them in flight, but wildlife follows its own schedule. Go for the canyon even if no bird appears. If condors do circle above the viewpoint, the moment can be remarkable, but the canyon itself is still the main attraction.

This is a good place to keep your camera ready and your eyes up. A phone screen can make you miss a bird passing overhead. You may also want a light layer, since the morning at a high viewpoint can feel cool even when the day later becomes sunny.

The route does not promise a long amount of free time at Cruz del Condor, so you should listen for the guide’s instructions and stay aware of the group. The benefit of a guided visit is that you can focus on the view instead of worrying about the road or the next connection.

Stops on the return to Chivay

After the viewpoint, the group makes guided stops on the way back to Chivay. These stops are designed for scenery and regional culture, with opportunities to see old colonial towns, traditional clothing, folklore, volcanoes, and mountain views.

The exact stop-by-stop schedule is not specified, so you should think of this section as a guided scenic route rather than a fixed list of monuments. That flexibility can work well because road conditions and group timing may affect how long you stay at each point.

Lunch is again separate. You will have a chance to eat before continuing toward Puno. Since the afternoon includes a long transfer, this is a good time to buy water and any snacks you need for the road.

The return route also provides a second look at the highland countryside. In changing light, the same mountains can look quite different from the previous day. You may find that the smaller roadside stops become as memorable as the formal viewpoints, especially if you enjoy photography or watching daily life outside the main cities.

The transfer to Puno

After the canyon sightseeing and lunch, you board the tourist vehicle for Puno. Drop-off is included at a hotel in downtown Puno, which is a useful finish if you already have accommodation there.

The tour description does not give a precise transfer duration, so you should expect the final stretch to take a meaningful part of the day. This is not a quick shuttle. It is a sightseeing transfer across a high-altitude region, and the total pace may feel full.

The benefit is that your transport is arranged from Arequipa through Colca Canyon to Puno. You do not need to organize separate vehicles between Chivay and Puno, and the guide remains part of the two-day experience.

The tradeoff is less freedom than you would have with a private car. A small group of up to 17 people is manageable, but you will still follow the group’s schedule for meals, viewpoints, and departure times.

What the small-group format means

A maximum of 17 participants is a useful middle ground. The group is small enough to feel more personal than a large coach tour, while the price remains lower than a private excursion.

You have an English-speaking or Spanish-speaking guide for both days. That matters at the canyon because the scenery is easy to admire but harder to understand without context. A guide can connect the towns, traditional clothing, volcanoes, wildlife, and canyon views into a clearer picture of the region.

Still, a small group is not the same as a private tour. You may need to wait for other people at stops, and the schedule will not be built around your preferred pace. If you want long photo sessions or complete control over meals, a private option would suit you better, but it would likely cost more.

The two-day structure is also worth considering. You spend one night in a simple hotel, then continue to Puno. That works very well for an itinerary with limited time, but it leaves little room for an unscheduled side trip or a slow afternoon in Chivay.

Altitude, comfort, and sensible preparation

Altitude is the most important health consideration. The tour specifically notes that it is not suitable for people with altitude sickness. If you already know that high elevations affect you badly, do not treat this as a casual bus ride.

Give yourself time to consider how you feel before booking. The route includes long periods at high elevation, early sightseeing, and a hot spring visit. You should take it easy, drink water, and tell the guide if you feel unwell.

Comfort is basic but adequate based on what is included. Transport, a private-bathroom room, and breakfast are covered. Lunch, dinner, and the hot springs are extra, so carry some Peruvian soles for the day.

The tour price and entry fees are quoted in different currencies: the main booking price is $103, while local charges are in soles. Check the current exchange rate before you go, and keep small notes or coins handy for food and optional activities.

Who should book this Colca Canyon tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want to connect Arequipa and Puno while seeing Colca Canyon along the way. It is also a strong fit if you prefer an organized route, want an English or Spanish guide, and do not want to arrange separate hotels and transfers.

You will probably enjoy it most if you value major viewpoints, mountain scenery, wildlife spotting, and a straightforward schedule. The hot springs add a welcome break, while the canyon and condor viewpoint provide the main reason to go.

I would hesitate if you need a slow, flexible trip or dislike early starts and long vehicle journeys. The basic hotel and extra costs may also disappoint you if you expect an all-inclusive package or a polished resort-style experience.

The tour has a 4.2 rating from 17 reviews, which suggests a generally positive experience but not a flawless one. I would read that as a sensible sign that the route offers good sightseeing value, while the altitude, fixed schedule, and additional expenses still matter.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the Arequipa to Puno transfer is already part of your plan and you want to turn that travel day into a canyon visit. The combination of Cruz del Condor, Chivay, Calera hot springs, wildlife, and downtown Puno drop-off is practical for a two-day schedule.

Skip it if you are feeling altitude symptoms, want private transport, or prefer to spend several days exploring Colca Canyon at your own pace. For the right itinerary, though, the $103 starting price is reasonable, provided you budget separately for the S/ 70 foreign visitor entry fee, meals, and optional hot springs.

FAQ

How long is the Colca Canyon tour?

The experience lasts two days and includes transport from Arequipa through Colca Canyon to Puno.

Where does pickup take place in Arequipa?

Pickup is provided from hotels in downtown Arequipa.

Where does the tour finish?

Drop-off is provided at hotels in downtown Puno.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. One night is included in a 2-star hotel in Chivay with a private bathroom.

Is breakfast included?

Breakfast is included on the second day in Chivay. Lunch and dinner are not included.

How much is the Colca Canyon entrance fee?

The fee is S/ 70 for foreign visitors, S/ 40 for Latin American citizens, and S/ 20 for Peruvians.

Is the hot springs visit included?

No. Entry to the Calera hot springs is optional and costs S/ 15.