Two Days in Colca

The two-day Colca tour is the sweet spot for most visitors. It follows the same route as the day trip but breaks it up with an overnight stay in the valley, which changes everything: you arrive at the canyon with time to spare, enjoy an evening at around 3,600 metres in a village, soak in the thermal baths, and reach the Cruz del Condor in the early morning rather than mid-morning. The result is a much calmer experience, with a better chance of seeing condors at their most active and enough energy left to enjoy the villages. It is also a good value, because accommodation, dinner and breakfast are often included in the package price.

Day one is mostly travel and acclimatisation. The group leaves Arequipa in the morning, crosses the high plateau with stops for vicuna and llamas, and reaches the Colca Valley in the afternoon. Stops include villages with colonial churches and viewpoints over pre-Inca terraces, and the day usually ends in Chivay or a neighbouring settlement with a night at a simple hostal or a more comfortable lodge, depending on the tour.

Many itineraries include a visit to the hot springs in the evening, where the thermal pools are a soothing counterpoint to a day of road travel and cold air. Dinner is often included and sometimes comes with live folk music.

Day two starts early, usually around five or six in the morning, to drive to the Cruz del Condor. This is the highlight: condors rise on the morning thermals, circling over the canyon rim as the sun reaches the valley floor. After enough time to watch and photograph, the group often walks a short section of the rim or visits an additional viewpoint, and then returns via Chivay for lunch.

Some itineraries include a stop at a viewpoint over the terraces of Pinchollo or a visit to a local market. The ride back to Arequipa takes several hours and usually ends in the late afternoon or early evening.

A two-day tour is usually pitched at different levels of comfort and budget, so read what is included before you choose. Some packages include a private room with a private bathroom, hot water and meals, while others offer more basic shared accommodation. There are also versions that end in Puno on Lake Titicaca instead of returning to Arequipa, which is convenient for travellers moving between the two, though Puno itself is outside this guide.

Bring a daypack with warm layers, a rain jacket in the wet season from about January to March, cash for tickets and tips, a swimsuit for the hot springs and a power bank, as electricity can be limited in some villages.

To get the most from the two days, pace your energy. Use the first evening to rest rather than sightsee, since sleeping at altitude can be restless, and keep alcohol to a minimum. Wake early, dress in layers and bring a hat and gloves for the viewpoint, where winds can be sharp. After the condors, you often have time for a short walk, so wear shoes with good grip. Pack a small daypack so the rest of your luggage can stay in Arequipa, and ask your hotel whether it will store it while you travel.