Overnight Tour: Colca Canyon Including Horse Riding from Arequipa

Condors, horses, and high Andean roads await. This two-day trip packs a lot into a short escape from Arequipa, combining canyon viewpoints, wildlife, village visits, an overnight stay, and a three-hour horseback ride. I especially like the mix of spectacular canyon scenery and quieter countryside around Yanque, plus the helpful coordination praised by several people who took the trip. The main drawback is that meals are not included beyond breakfast, and the long return day can feel tiring.

The tour also works well if you want more than a quick bus ride to Cruz del Condor. I like that you see alpacas, llamas, vicuñas, high-altitude reserve scenery, Inca terraces, and the Uyo Uyo archaeological site. Still, the schedule is full, the group can reach 25 people, and the horse ride may switch to walking if access to part of the route is limited.

Key points to know before booking

• The condor viewing is the main event: You spend about two hours at Mirador Cruz del Condor, with a chance to see these large Andean birds riding the air above the canyon.
• The horseback ride reaches Uyo Uyo: The afternoon route passes Inca and pre-Inca terraces, mountain villages, and views toward the Colca River.
• The highest viewpoint comes early: Abra Patapampa sits at roughly 4,900 meters, making altitude a real factor on the first morning.
• The overnight stay saves you from a rushed day trip: You sleep in the Colca Valley, generally around Yanque, rather than returning to Arequipa the same evening.
• The price covers the big logistics: At $166.67 per person, you get transport, hotel pickup, one night, breakfast, guides, and riding equipment, but not the required tourist ticket or most meals.
• The ride has an easy extra reward: After horseback riding, you can visit Chacapi hot springs for about $5, a pleasant way to loosen tired legs.

Leaving Arequipa for the high Andes at 7:45

Pickup begins around 7:30 or 7:45 in central Arequipa. Hotel pickup is offered for accommodations in the downtown area, which is useful if you are staying near the historic center. The shared minivan or minibus can carry up to 25 people, so expect a social group rather than a private outing.

The road north enters the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve. This is not just a transfer through empty high country. The reserve is home to Andean wildlife, and the route gives you a chance to spot llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas in the open terrain. The tour makes short stops at Patahuasi and Tocra Pampa, giving you time to stretch and look around.

Bring layers. The trip rises quickly from Arequipa into cold, exposed country, and the first day includes a very high viewpoint. Water, sun protection, and coca candies or coca tea may help with the altitude. One person specifically found coca products useful, while the tour itself requires a moderate fitness level.

Abra Patapampa and the high point of the route

The stop at Abra Patapampa is brief, around 15 minutes, but it is one of the most memorable parts of the drive. The pass is described as one of the highest points on the Colca circuit and a viewpoint toward the surrounding volcanoes and Andes.

At this height, you should not expect to stroll far or move quickly. The value is in the view and the sense of scale. You can see the broad slopes, terraces, and folds created by erosion, then descend toward the Colca Valley. If you are sensitive to altitude, use this stop quietly. Take photographs, breathe slowly, and avoid treating it like a hiking break.

The tour gives you several road stops, but they are short. That is good for keeping the schedule moving, though it means you will not have long independent walks at each location.

Chivay lunch and the overnight base near Yanque

You reach Chivay around midday and have lunch at your own expense. Lunch is also your first chance to judge the pace of the group, since the stop lasts roughly 30 minutes on the first day. The second day includes another lunch stop in Chivay, again not covered by the tour price.

After lunch, you continue to the hotel. Accommodation is generally in Yanque because that is where the riding takes place, though the information describes the lodging more broadly as a hotel in the Colca Valley. Rooms are double, twin, or triple, so confirm your room arrangement if that matters to you.

Yanque is a quieter village than Chivay, with a main square, a small ethnographic museum, and access to the Chacapi hot springs. The overnight stay gives you a little more contact with the valley than a same-day excursion. You are not simply checking a canyon viewpoint off a list, then racing back to Arequipa.

Three hours on horseback through Yanque

The ride begins around 3:00 in the afternoon. A local Spanish-speaking riding instructor meets you at the hotel, while the accredited English guide handles the wider tour. Riding equipment and the local riding guide are included.

The route crosses a bridge toward the right side of the valley and follows countryside near Yanque. You pass mountain scenery, old terraces, small towns, and views down toward the Colca River. The ride also reaches Uyo Uyo, an archaeological site linked with Inca and pre-Inca terraces.

This is the tour’s most distinctive feature. Many Colca outings focus on bus stops and viewpoints. Here, you spend two to three hours moving through the valley at a slower pace. That lets you notice the terraces and village setting in a different way, although you should not expect a technical riding excursion or a long wilderness trek.

Access to Uyo Uyo can vary. If the horses cannot reach part of the site, you may walk. The tour requires moderate fitness, and three hours in the saddle can be tiring even if the horses are well trained. One especially positive account praised the horseman’s care and experience, as well as the calm, trained horses. That reassurance matters if you have some riding experience but are not an expert.

If you have never ridden before, tell the local instructor. The supplied information does not promise a beginner-only ride, so honest communication about your comfort level is sensible.

Hot springs and Yanque after the ride

After the ride, you can visit Chacapi hot springs near Yanque. Admission costs about $5 and is not included. The setting offers a simple pleasure: warm water in the open countryside after several hours on horseback and a day of mountain roads.

The hot springs are optional, so you can skip them if you are tired or prefer to explore Yanque. The village also has an ethnographic museum near the main square. Its entrance fee is not listed, and the stop is brief, around 15 minutes. You may find it more useful if you want local cultural context rather than another viewpoint.

The schedule gives you some freedom after the riding portion, but do not assume a long evening of independent sightseeing. The next morning begins early.

A 6:00 departure for Cruz del Condor

After breakfast at the hotel, the second day starts around 6:00. The bus ride to Mirador Cruz del Condor takes about an hour and a half. That early departure is necessary for the condor viewing period and gives you a quieter start before the later village stops.

At the viewpoint, you spend about two hours. The purpose is clear: look across the canyon and watch for Andean condors gliding on rising air. Several people considered the condors the highlight, and one person saw seven close to the viewing area. Sightings are never something a tour can guarantee, but this stop gives you a strong chance to see the birds if conditions cooperate.

The canyon view is equally important. From the lookout, you can appreciate the depth of the Colca Canyon and the steep valley sides. The tour describes it as the deepest in the world, a claim often used in local tourism, but the real value is easier to judge with your own eyes: the scale is immense, and the terraces show how people have worked these slopes for centuries.

A one-hour hike is available as an option during this stop. The information does not specify the exact route or difficulty, so ask the guide before starting. At altitude, you should not feel obliged to hike simply because it is offered.

The mandatory tourist entrance fee is listed at 70 soles, or about $19, and is separate from the tour price. Budget for it before you go.

Maca, Santa Ana, and the return to Arequipa

After Cruz del Condor, the bus returns through traditional villages, including Maca. The itinerary also lists a stop at Iglesia Santa Ana and the village main square. These short stops break up the drive and give you a look at local settlements beyond the main canyon viewpoint.

You then stop in Chivay for about an hour for lunch at your own cost. A useful practical note is that the food arrangements may involve buffet-style meals selected by the tour company. One account found the food mediocre, so I would treat lunch as functional rather than a reason to book the trip.

The return to Arequipa is direct and takes much of the afternoon. Arrival is expected around 5:00 p.m., or possibly earlier. The full second day lasts about 10 hours, making this a demanding schedule. If you plan an evening flight, an important appointment, or a separate night bus, leave plenty of room for delays.

Guides, language, and group size

The tour includes an accredited English-speaking guide and a local Spanish-speaking instructor for horseback riding. Language support can make a real difference because the drive includes history, geology, wildlife, and village traditions, not just scenery.

Juan Carlos received especially strong praise for making sure the English speakers in one group received explanations that were not always given in Spanish. That suggests the guide may adjust attention within a mixed-language group, though the tour is still shared and the group may contain Spanish speakers.

With a maximum of 25 people, the atmosphere will depend on the actual number booked. A full minibus means less flexibility at stops and a more fixed pace. In return, the shared format helps keep the price below a private trip.

What the $166.67 price really covers

At $166.67 per person, the cost is fair if you want the overnight structure and horseback riding. You are paying for hotel pickup, shared transport, one night of accommodation, breakfast, an English-speaking guide, a local riding guide, and riding equipment.

You still need to pay for:

• The mandatory Colca tourist ticket, about 70 soles or $19
• Two lunches
• One dinner
• Chacapi hot springs, about $5 if you go
• The Yanque ethnographic museum, if you choose to enter
• Tips

The included breakfast is useful before the early condor departure, but you should carry water and snacks for the road. With two lunches and dinner outside the package, the final cost will be higher than the advertised rate.

The overnight format adds value because you see the valley in the afternoon and return to the condor viewpoint the next morning. A day trip can be simpler, but it usually gives you less time for horseback riding, Yanque, and the hot springs.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would choose this tour if you want a broad first look at the Colca region without arranging hotels, transport, and riding separately. It suits active adults and teenagers aged 13 or older who can handle long vehicle rides, altitude, and several hours on horseback.

It is also a good fit if wildlife matters to you. The route offers chances to see llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and condors, while the guides add local and historical context.

You may want another option if you need a slow schedule, private transport, or guaranteed time at every stop. The second day is long, the group may be large, and meals are basic and extra. You should also think carefully about altitude before booking, especially if you have struggled in high places before.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

FAQ

How long is the Colca Canyon tour?

The experience lasts approximately two days. The first day includes the drive from Arequipa, horseback riding, and the overnight stay. The second day lasts about 10 hours and returns to Arequipa around 5:00 p.m.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup begins around 7:30 to 7:45 a.m. The tour picks up from hotels located in Arequipa’s downtown area.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. One night of accommodation is included in a double, twin, or triple room. The hotel is generally in or near Yanque because the horseback ride begins there.

Is the horseback ride included?

Yes. The price includes the horseback ride, riding equipment, and a local Spanish-speaking riding instructor. The ride lasts about two to three hours.

How old must I be to join?

The minimum age is 13.

Is the Colca entrance fee included?

No. The mandatory tourist ticket costs about 70 soles, or $19, and must be paid separately.

Are meals included?

Only one breakfast is included. You pay separately for two lunches and one dinner.

Can I visit the hot springs?

Yes. Chacapi hot springs are an optional stop after horseback riding. Admission is about $5 and is not included.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. An accredited English-speaking guide accompanies the tour. The local instructor for horseback riding speaks Spanish.

Should you book this Colca Canyon tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized two-day introduction to the canyon with more variety than a standard viewpoint trip. The strongest reasons are the well-liked coordination, the horseback route through Yanque, the overnight stay, and the chance to see condors from Cruz del Condor.

Skip it if you dislike early starts, long bus journeys, shared groups, or extra meal costs. For most fit visitors with limited time in Arequipa, though, the combination of wildlife, terraces, villages, horses, hot springs, and canyon views gives the $166.67 price solid value. Just budget for the entrance ticket, meals, and altitude, then leave your second evening flexible for the return journey.