Day Highlight: Gazing upon massive Andean condors catching thermal updrafts over the sheer precipices of Colca Canyon.
You will be picked up from the bus station or your hotel in Arequipa at 4:00 a.m. by private bus. After three hours of travel, we make a brief stop in Chivay, then we will continue until we reach the view point “Cruz del Condor”. We will stop here for approx. 1 hour to watch the condors fly and savor the beautiful view over the canyon. Then we will go to Cabanaconde, at 3,287 meters above sea level. Here we will have lunch and get ready for the hike. First we will pass by the viewpoint called Pampa San Miguel, from where we will be able to see the trails where we will walk.
From here we start descending into the canyon towards the village of San Juan De Chucho. This takes 4 hours approx. on the way we will cross the Colca river through a suspension bridge, during the hike, the guide will inform you about the flora and fauna, medicinal plants and the culture of the people living in the canyon. We will finish this day in Cosñirhua, a village 1 hour walk from San Juan De Chucho, in Cosñirhua we will have dinner and spend the night in a house of a local family and you will be able to see their daily life.
Day Technical Data:
Timing: Early morning start with well-spaced afternoon transitions.
Terrain: Variable mountain stone paving, compacted soil paths, and loose gravel slopes.
Physical Effort: Moderate to demanding exertion adapted to traveler acclimatization.
Transport Profile: Private van pickup from Cusco hotel and dedicated linking transfers.
