Colca Canyon Day Trip: Is It Worth It?
Colca Canyon, near Arequipa, is one of the top attractions in Peru. Our Colca Canyon travel guide features tips on visiting one of the world's deepest canyons and answers the question if Colca Canyon is worth visiting on a day tour from Arequipa or two to three days hiking trip. Including things to do, trails, how to choose a tour company, how to get there, and where to stay.
Numbers don't lie. Colca Canyon, 3270 meters deep depression in the southern part of Peru near Arequipa, belongs among the world's deepest canyons.
The canyon's incredible depth, giant condors flying above visitor's heads, and reasonable driving distance from Arequipa, the second most populated city in Peru, makes Colca Canyon one of the most visited attractions this South American country has to offer.
Although we don't know the exact numbers of how many travelers make it to Colca Canyon every day, one thing is sure.
The concentration of tourists per square meter was the highest we've experienced compared to other places we've been to so far in four months in South America. Admittedly, it was before we visited Machu Picchu.
At first, we wondered if Colca Canyon's fame is not overhyped, and because of the steep admission fee, we were even thinking whether this site is worth visiting.
In the end, the gorgeous photos capturing the canyon and the landscape around persuaded us, and we booked the one day tour from Arequipa. It is quite essential to say that visiting Colca Canyon is not only about the destination itself but about the journey too.
When traveling to the Colca Canyon from Arequipa, you will pass a few small villages (unfortunately, we cannot say traditional villages although the inhabitants still dress traditionally), viewpoints overlooking tall volcanoes, and you can sense the proximity of the canyon once you spot the Andean valley and green terraced fields on both sides of a significant depression.
No matter how spectacular the ride is, be mentally (and physically) prepared for a long day ahead.
Because we also visited the Peruvian Amazon, we found it interesting that the Amazon River has its source in the mountains close to the Colca Canyon, so everything nicely clicked together.
We could even see the main peak Nevado Mismi from the other side of the valley!
Simply put, Colca Canyon is an exceptional place, and we could not be more excited to tell you more about it, so you can start planning your trip.
We've put together all the essential information on how to get there, tips on choosing the travel agency and we also share how much things costs.
Except for these practical tips, we also know travelers often look for an answer, if the one day Colca Canyon tour is worth it, or whether it is better to allocate more days for this exceptionally deep natural attraction and take it more slowly.
Let's have a look!
WAYS TO VISIT COLCA CANYON
When on the road, we usually don't visit places only to be able to say we've been there, we've seen it, mission accomplished. This is really not our travel style.
Instead, we always try to stay a bit longer if there's even a slight chance to get to know the destination better.
But when we arrived in Arequipa, we knew we could not stay longer as we had the Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek in Cusco already booked.
This is why we had to plan our time carefully as we did not want to visit only Colca Canyon, but we also planned an itinerary to see the best things in Arequipa.
That's why we had opted for a day tour to Colca Canyon, although Martin was a bit skeptical from the very beginning about this alternative.
If your time is not limited, this is not the only option on how to experience one of the most incredible Peruvian wonders.
In general, there are two ways how to get from Arequipa to Colca Canyon.
GETTING TO COLCA CANYON INDEPENDENTLY
First of all, we must say that visiting Colca Canyon with a tour is not the only possibility as you can get there independently, although it is not that straightforward as it could seem.
It makes sense to think about getting to the Colca Canyon on your own when you plan on hiking for two or more days, as coming there only for a day wouldn't make sense money-wise, time-wise, and your experience would not be that positive as well.
The easiest way to get to Colca Canyon independently is to take a bus from Arequipa to Cabanaconde - the bus frequently leaves almost every two hours, and the ride takes five hours.
Buses leave from Terminal Terrestre, but we strongly recommend you to check out the up-to-date schedule as bus timetables in Peru change quite often.
We really think it makes sense to travel independently if you plan on hiking, and the good news is that all three principal ways down into the canyon start (and end) in Cabanaconde.
It is also possible to book a tourist shuttle to the canyon in the main season but ask about this option in the information office.
TAKING A COLCA CANYON TOUR
The other and the most popular option on how to get to the best viewpoints around the Colca Canyon is by arranging a Colca Canyon Tour, and it doesn't matter if you plan on spending there just a day or more.
There are plenty of tour operators in Arequipa (most of them have an office near Plaza de Armas), but every single hotel can also make a reservation for you.
We booked with our hostel because we wanted to make sure that the agency won't forget to pick us up as, in that case, getting up at 2:30 AM would be very unfortunate.
We would say that booking a Colca Canyon tour makes sense for all day-trippers who do not have more time for hiking.
The service ensures you do not have to worry about the transport, you will get amazing views from all the best viewing platforms along the way, plus you will also learn a bit about the place.
Although our guide spoke English very poorly, it was definitely better than nothing.
COLCA CANYON ACTIVITIES
You can do two main activities in the Colca Canyon - a basic sightseeing tour or hiking. Or, of course, the combination of both.
As we've already mentioned, if you have only one day, we recommend a tour; otherwise, you would have to take a bus from Arequipa to Cabanaconde and then arrange private transport along the canyon and then do the same process on the way back.
If you prefer hiking, it is necessary to set your priorities right. If you do not mind being a part of a group, go for the multi-day tour.
If you are a more adventurous soul, opt for traveling independently, but you'll have to arrange everything - transport, food, and accommodation.
COLCA CANYON TOURS
Colca Canyon Tour is usually the most preferred way among travelers on how to explore the canyon and learn more about the culture.
The program includes lots of time in a van and many stops along the way - some of them were great, but some could have been definitely skipped, especially those on the way back to Arequipa. We had experienced this version, so more about it later.
Honestly, the two nights option did not make much sense for us because people usually do the same activities as on a one day tour.
They only have more time to relax the first day (or there's a slightly modified tour including a short hike) in the afternoon while spending the night in one of the nearby villages (usually in Chivay).
We appreciated having one full day packed, and the next day, we could continue in our Peru itinerary.
HIKING IN COLCA CANYON
Two or three days hiking in the Colca Canyon is what you can do if you feel active and adventurous.
Generally, all paths lead downhill to the canyon, so first, you must descend and then climb all the way up in order to catch your transport back to Arequipa.
There are a few basic accommodation options along the way that are budget-friendly.
Hiking also has pros and cons.
First of all, you should make sure you do not suffer from knee issues because the trails are quite demanding - to increase your chances of finishing the trek, buy or rent hiking sticks.
Because hiking requires (usually) more than one day, it means that you will leave crowds behind, which is an advantage at such a popular place like Colca Canyon.
Also, although the views from the canyon rim are spectacular, hiking allows you to get a more intimate experience.
ENTRANCE FEE
A huge downside and also a reason why many budget travelers skip Colca Canyon is the steep entrance fee. You must pay S/70 per person (locals pay a significantly lower price) no matter if you're visiting the site only for one day or for longer.
There was an awkward check at the entrance when the officer came into our car and made sure that all Western-looking travelers paid the high amount while Peruvian passengers were left out.
Is the entrance fee worth it?
Well, it is not the end of the world, so we would say, yes, it is. Colca Canyon was really beautiful, and we were glad we visited it.
On the other hand, if you're on a strict budget, you can consider visiting another, more budget-friendly canyon in northern Peru.
We talk about lesser-known Sonche Canyon near Chachapoyas. The fee to get on the viewing platform is only S/3.
DAY TRIP TO COLCA CANYON
We visited the Colca Canyon on one day tour, and here you can get an idea of how the day looked like.
All agencies in the city run on the same itinerary, so make your decision according to your budget and online reviews. A tour price varies from S/55 to S/70; only breakfast, guide, and transport are included.
The day started early as the minivan picked us up at 3 AM in our hostel.
At very first sight, we could see that we are (as usual) the only foreigners in a large group of Peruvian travelers (however, this time there was another couple from Europe).
It would be perfectly fine for us, but unfortunately, our bilingual guide did not speak much English, and we noticed that the explanation for us was always much shorter than in Spanish.
Well, we did not mind as the main reason for booking the tour was getting the transport, but if this element is crucial for you, specify it explicitly while making the reservation.
Because it was early in the morning, we all fell asleep and woke up around 6 AM when our van stopped at Mirador de Los Volcanos.
It was a bit of shock as we were all of a sudden at 4910 meters above sea level.
Views from this mirador are amazing as we could see several volcanoes around more than 6000 meters high, but to be honest, we were all a bit drowsy at this hour, at this altitude, plus the climate was too cold.
After approximately 10 minutes, we were back in the van and carried on to Chivay, where we had a very average breakfast.
If you don't handle high altitude well, you might want to stay a day extra in Arequipa to acclimatize.
We arrived from Lima via Nazca, home to mysterious Nazca Lines, and the morning was pretty rough.
Then we made two stops in villages along the way. The first village was called Yanque where we could watch a traditional dance - the nicest thing on this stop was dresses dancers wore.
Later we arrived in Maca, a village with a pretty church but too many vendors and ladies who pose for tourists with a condor or alpaca. We found Maca very touristy and could not wait to leave.
There is also an option to visit hot springs in Yanque on the way back for an extra fee, but no one from our group wanted to go there, so we had more time for the Colca Canyon.
Finally, after those compulsory breaks, we got a glimpse of the canyon for the first time.
There are several viewpoints where the van stops, so we had plenty of time and opportunities to enjoy the scenery.
But the most famous and also the most visited viewpoint in Colca Canyon is Cruz del Condor, from where we could overlook the immense canyon in its full glory.
We had more than an hour here, so we could stretch our legs a bit and walk the short path along the canyon's edge.
On the way back to Arequipa, we stopped in Chivay again for lunch.
It was a buffet and cost S/30, which seemed too expensive for us, so we walked a bit further where we found a restaurant where we paid only S/10.
You might think that the price for lunch is ok, but when we travel long term, every meal over our budget makes a difference, plus every food in South America (after four months of eating in cheap eateries) tastes a bit dull no matter how much it cost.
The best part of the tour (apart from the Colca Canyon itself) was the ride back to Arequipa.
It was dark when we rode this highway in the morning, so on the way back, we could enjoy the beautiful scenery while we were crossing Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve.
We arrived in Arequipa around 5 PM; one would say it was a pretty long day.
IS THE COLCA CANYON DAY TOUR WORTH IT?
There were three highlights along the way - the canyon itself, Andean condors, and the drive from Chivay to Arequipa, which was truly spectacular.
Unfortunately, the rest of the stops were unnecessary and artificially prolonged the already long day.
It might be our fault that we don't enjoy shopping, don't want to take a picture with a lama or don't make thousands of selfies, and that's why we found some stops annoying.
On the other hand, we understand that travel agencies want to offer more than only transport and those stops along the way often help the local economy (in case you buy lunch or a souvenir).
Colca Canyon is a spectacular sight which is definitely worth your time, and if you have only one day, you must answer the question of whether this is the way how to spend it.
The ticket is overpriced, and if you had seen a similar canyon like this before, you might find the site a bit overhyped.
Had we had more time, we would have probably opted for a 2-Day Colca Canyon Hiking Tour (or a 3D/2N version) so we would not feel so rushed and did not spend many hours on the bus.
To sum it up, if you can, plan at least two days to visit Colca Canyon.
But if you really have only one day as we had, go for the one day option - this is your best chance to get close to one of the best natural attractions in Peru.
PEOPLE OF THE COLCA CANYON
People living in the villages near the Colca Canyon for centuries still live and dress traditionally (more or less).
They are descendants of two groups, the Cabanas and the Collagua people.
Those two groups lived in a conflict for a long time, violence among them was not an exception, and they even performed cranial deformations as they did not want to look the same.
Fortunately, those days are over, but even today, people living in this area wear distinctively shaped hats to distinguish themselves.
If there was one thing we appreciated about the Colca Canyon tour, it was the fact we got a valuable insight into the local life and learned more about history.
ALTITUDE
When setting off for a day trip, it is often easy to overlook a few important information. First of all, you should know that the road leading to Colca Canyon is at altitude, and acclimatization in Arequipa for at least one day is essential.
We usually handle short trips in the altitude well but must admit it was quite shocking for our bodies to wake up at 6 AM at almost 5000 meters.
Never underestimate altitude.
The Colca Canyon itself is also high above sea level, roughly 3500 above sea level, so it is worth it to arrive well-prepared, although it is almost impossible to know how your body will react even if you follow basic acclimatization steps.
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!
WHEN TO VISIT
When it comes to the weather, it is good to know what to expect, although the climate is often unpredictable.
In general, May to October is the dry season, which means almost no rain, cooler temperatures (it is Peruvian winter), more travelers, higher prices, and if the weather during the day is too sunny and hot, the views can be a bit hazy.
Still, it is the preferred time to visit Colca Canyon.
November to April is the low, rainy season, while the rainiest months are December to January. It is always hit or miss to travel in the rainy season, but the same as you can luck out the weather, you can also be rained out.
We would say that even if the weather forecast is unpromising, we would go for the day tour.
If you plan on hiking, it is better to wait it out as trails can be very slippery, and the overall experience not that pleasant.
WHAT TO PACK
Have you opted for the one-day Colca Canyon Tour? Great. Still, you should not underestimate packing.
The good thing is you can always leave gear you do not need at the moment in the car and not carry them in a backpack.
Basically, you need a small comfortable daypack and water bottle to stay hydrated.
The sun is harsh, so bring sunscreen with high SPF, but as the weather is often very changeable, bring a rain jacket, or at least a windproof jacket as well.
On top of that, we were glad we brought a down jacket (by the way it was freezing cold in the morning on the bus).
With no hiking planning, you can wear comfortable sneakers.
Make sure you pack your camera and telephoto lens for photographing majestic condors.
WHAT TO DO IN AREQUIPA
Arequipa belongs among the biggest cities in Peru, but the atmosphere in the center is relaxed, and we wouldn't have guessed it has almost 800 000 inhabitants.
Plaza de Armas is the tourist center of Arequipa, and it is also one of the most lively places in the city.
But the most notable attraction to visit in Arequipa is Monastery de Santa Catalina, also known as a city within a city.
The monastery was founded in the 16th century and accepted only rich women who, after enrollment, had to live and pray in the monastery until their death.
The area is large, and we spent there more than three hours wandering the beautifully restored blue and red streets and exploring the old nuns' houses.
The entrance fee cost S/40, which is quite expensive for Peruvian standard, but the monastery looked on pictures too nice to be missed, the guided tour was informative and enjoyable, and you might want to consider putting it in your itinerary.
You can read more about the city in our post on the best things to do in Arequipa.
WHERE TO STAY IN AREQUIPA
Arequipa offers an extensive network of reasonably priced hotels, and you don't need to stay anywhere on the outskirt.
We have opted for a cheap hostel that had a rooftop so we could admire the volcano views during the sunset, but what was, in this case, the most important for us was the English speaking staff that was able to book the Colca Canyon tour for us.
We've handpicked the best hotel for every type of traveler; feel free to get inspired.
Budget | Holidays Hostel Arequipa - Cheap, centrally located hostel offers breakfast, comfortable rooms, and wifi works well, and overall you'll get a perfect price/quality ratio. You can also book your Colca Canyon tour here.
Mid-range | Casa de Avila - Only 400 meters from Arequipa's main square, this hotel is the real gem for the price. It has its own central garden, where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
Luxury | Casa Andina Premium Arequipa - This hotel is a real treat for those who can splurge. Situated in the White City center, this colonial mansion was turned into a hotel with a soul, and the traditional furniture and courtyards are the highlights here.
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.
