A Guide to Canon del Sonche, Chachapoyas
Canon del Sonche alias Sonche Canyon is one of the must-visit places in Chachapoyas, Peru. Our travel guide includes tips on how to get to Canon del Sonche from Chachapoyas by colectivo (without a guided tour), how much time you need for Huancas viewpoint, entrance fee, and opening hours.
The Amazonas region in northern Peru is such a diverse area that only the fact that getting there requires an overnight bus from the classic backpackers' route keeps the place still under the radar.
As we traveled long term and were on a loose schedule, our eyes were caught by Chachapoyas, a town that seemed like a perfect base for exploring this (quite) remote part of the otherwise overly popular country.
As it usually happens, we visited several burial sites in the area, did not miss ancient Kuelap ruins reminding the builders' skills of Chachapoya civilization, took a hike to Catarata de Gocta Waterfall, but we kept the closest attraction, Solche Canyon (in Spanish Canon del Sonche), for the very last moment.
It was already the morning of the day of our departure; it was drizzling, and we knew it is now or never - and never was not the option, so we put on waterproof jackets, packed our photo gear in a waterproof backpack, and set off.
Fortunately, visiting Canon del Sonche from Chachapoyas is an easy task, and we were back in our hotel room within two hours, just in time to pack and continue in our Peru adventure.
If you are looking for a tip on one of the best things to do in Chachapoyas, look no further. Canon del Sonche will blow you away, and we hope that our photos will inspire you to include this place in your Peru itinerary.
Here's our travel guide on how to visit Sonche Canyon, including transport options and prices.
CANON DEL SONCHE
What was the best part of visiting Canon del Sonche, except for the views? Well, you do not know it is there until you stand on the very edge, which is really awesome.
No matter how we enjoyed our day tour to Colca Canyon, which is one of the deepest canyons in the world and the most famous canyon near Arequipa in Peru, we found Sonche Canyon equally impressive.
The site only lacks the hiking options, and the arrival is not that spectacular compared to its popular brother, but it lacks the crowds, and the entrance is much cheaper.
The Sonche Canyon is almost 11 kilometers long, the highest point of its walls is 2620 meters above sea level, and the canyon is almost 900 meters deep!
The canyon's steep walls, the valley, and the Sonche river that flows in the valley bed can be observed from two well-accessible viewpoints - Mirador de Huancas and Mirador Huanca Urco.
HOW TO GET TO CANON DEL SONCHE FROM CHACHAPOYAS
The well-accessible viewpoints of Canon del Sonche are located close to the town of Huancas, which is about 8 kilometers from Chachapoyas.
There are several alternatives on how to get to the canyon. We just did not find any option on how to get between those two viewpoints except for walking (4.5 km one way) unless you want to hire a driver.
This is why, when short on time; you have to choose one mirador - we picked the one called Mirador de Huancas that is close to the village.
On the other hand, if the views are clear and you have time, walk along the canyon, it is really worth it.
Here's how to get from Chachapoyas to Canon del Sonche.
WALK
The most budget-friendly option on how to reach the canyon is on foot. The hike from Chachapoyas to the closer Mirador de Huancas will take you about an hour and a half.
We could see that you will most likely have to follow the road, and the suburban areas of Chachapoyas looked a bit dodgy, but it should be safe during the day; just beware of strayed dogs.
COLECTIVO
We decided to take a colectivo alias public transport that frequently runs between Chachapoyas and Huancas. The van leaves when full from several locations. You can take a colectivo from the bus terminal, but there was another option which worked for us much better.
We found an unmarked small terminal on Avenida Evitamiento close to the Avenida Aeropuerto junction, which was very close to our hotel.
The one-way ticket costs S/.3 per person. Our colectivo dropped us off near the viewpoint, but even if your driver stops at Plaza de Armas, it'll be just a short walk to the mirador.
The drive takes about 20 minutes, depending on the number of passengers. We didn't want to wait for colectivo to Chachapoyas when we wanted to return, so we shared a cab with another traveler who needed to go back as well.
TAXI
If you prefer traveling more comfortably or short on time, consider hiring a cab. One ride costs around S/.7, which is a reasonable price, especially if you can share the cost with more passengers.
If you want your driver to wait for you, or even take you to another viewpoint, negotiate the price beforehand.
TOUR
We feel that visiting Sonche Canyon independently is super-easy that there's no need to pay significantly more for a tour, but it is good to know this option exists.
This full-day Sonche Canyon Tour includes the drive around multiple viewpoints (yes there are multiple miradores), and everything, including tickets, will be arranged on your behalf.
SONCHE CANYON TICKET
There are new ticket boots at both Sonche Canyon's viewpoints; the ticket price is S/.3 per person.
We did not notice opening hours but assume there'll be a fee collector during the daylight - if no one's there, feel free to visit the canyon and pay for the ticket on your way back.
We could see that the viewpoints were newly built, are really nice and clean, so we gladly paid a small fee that should help maintain the site.
WHERE TO STAY IN CHACHAPOYAS
If you decided to explore the best northern Peru has to offer, Chachapoyas is an undeniably perfect place to base yourself and take one-day trips to some of the top attractions nearby.
Sonche Canyon is very close to Chachapoyas, and the bus station is within walking distance from the center, so if you plan your trip, feel free to find a hotel close to Plaza de Armas as there's no need to stay overnight any further.
Here are our tips on the best three hotels in Chachapoyas for every type of traveler.
Budget | Casa Hospedaje Teresita - Clean rooms, helpful staff, and good breakfast. Great value for money for all budget travelers.
Mid-range | La Casa de Los Balcones - Excellent location near Plaza de Armas, comfortable and clean rooms, and many tour options. Close to restaurants and markets.
Luxury | Casona El Triunfo Hotel - Attentive staff, spotless rooms, great restaurant, and a charming colonial-style building with scenic views from the rooms. Chachapoyas does not have the classic luxury hotels, but this one is your best option if you are looking for something special.
BEST TIME TO VISIT CANON DEL SONCHE
Chachapoyas is a cloudy and misty place because of the elevation and proximity to the cloud forest and jungle. This is the reason why your chances for unobscured views are highest during the morning as afternoons are often hazy.
The weather during our trip was far from perfect, it even rained, but the canyon is impressive at any time of the year.
Consider packing a rain jacket as it can rain anytime (plus the wind can be cold).
As the visit can take you anything between an hour and a half to half-day, depending on the transport option you choose, also pack a water bottle.
We think each viewpoint's visit will take you around 30 minutes - it does not require much walking, but we did not want to leave as the place was really peaceful.
It is possible to buy a snack or lunch in Huancas.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
