2 Day 1 Night Trek / Colca Canyon

Colca Canyon rewards an early start. This two-day trek combines a condor viewpoint, a steep descent into the canyon, a night at Cielo Azul Lodge, and a sunrise climb back to Cabanaconde. I like that meals and hotel transfers are included, and I like the chance to rest in a warm swimming pool at Sangalle after the first day’s 18-kilometre walk.

The trade-off is serious exertion. The first day is mostly downhill, but the second begins around 5:00 am with roughly three hours of uphill walking by torchlight. The accommodation and meals are basic, and the 3:00 am departure from Arequipa is not gentle on sleepy bodies.

Key points to know before booking

• The first day drops from about 3,300 to 1,900 metres: downhill sounds easy, but several hours on rough canyon paths can punish your knees.
• The second morning is the hard one: expect about three hours uphill, a 1,500-metre ascent, and a sunrise start.
• Condor’s Cross is a major highlight: the viewpoint offers a chance to see Andean condors with wingspans of more than three metres.
• Cielo Azul Lodge has a swimming pool: a welcome place to loosen tired legs at Sangalle, though the overnight stay is simple.
• The $124 price covers useful basics: transport, two breakfasts, lunch, dinner, and lodging are included, but entrance fees and the final lunch are extra.
• The group is capped at 12 people: that is small enough for the guide to keep an eye on the group during a demanding walk.

Leaving Arequipa at 3:00 am

Your day begins before dawn with pickup from your hotel or hostel in Arequipa. The drive to Cabanaconde takes about six hours, with a breakfast stop in Chivay and a later stop at Condor’s Cross.

This is a long transfer before you even start walking. I would not book this trek expecting a relaxed morning. The early departure matters because you need enough daylight to complete the descent and reach Sangalle before evening.

The transport is described as private tourist transport, with hotel or hostel pickup included. At the end of the trip, you are dropped near Calle Santa Catalina, beside Santa Catalina Monastery, at roughly 5:30 pm. That saves you the trouble of arranging a taxi or finding a bus after a tiring return journey.

The group limit of 12 is useful here. A small group can move more easily than a large busload, and the guide has a better chance of noticing if someone is struggling with altitude, heat, or the long descent.

Guiding is available in English and Spanish. One guide named in the feedback is Eveline, who was praised for being kind, capable, and helpful during the toughest parts of the walk. That personal support matters more here than a nonstop stream of facts. You need someone who can manage the pace and help you make sensible decisions.

Chivay breakfast and the road to Condor’s Cross

The first stop is Plaza de Armas de Chivay, reached at about 7:30 am. You have breakfast here before continuing toward the canyon. Chivay is known for traditional houses and colorful highland scenery, but the stop is brief, around 30 minutes.

Breakfast is included, which is convenient after leaving Arequipa in the middle of the night. Still, do not count on a large meal. One account described the first breakfast as small, so I would carry extra snacks such as bread, fruit, or energy bars.

The road then continues to Condor’s Cross. This viewpoint is one of the strongest parts of the trip, even though the stop itself lasts only about 30 minutes. The Andean condor can weigh up to 12 kilograms and reach a wingspan of more than three metres. Watching one ride the warm air above the canyon gives the morning a real sense of place.

Sightings are never guaranteed. Clouds can cover the viewpoint, and condors may appear along the route instead. That is not necessarily a failure. One account described seeing condors during the descent even though the main viewpoint was obscured by clouds.

Give yourself time to look beyond the birds. Condor’s Cross also provides one of the best broad views into Colca Canyon, with its enormous drop and layered slopes. After this stop, you travel about 20 minutes by bus to the trailhead.

The 3-hour descent into Colca Canyon

The trek starts at about 3,300 metres and drops to roughly 2,100 metres. The downhill section takes about three hours, but the full walking day lasts much longer.

Downhill walking often feels easy for the first hour. Then the repeated impact begins to show, especially on knees and ankles. Use trekking poles if you have them, take steady steps, and do not race the guide or the fastest person in the group.

The route passes through the canyon toward San Juan de Chuccho, where you stop for lunch and rest. This village has vegetation and fruit trees, a welcome change after the dry upper slopes. Lunch is included, but you should still carry water and small snacks.

Heat can become a problem during the descent. One account described heat-related sickness during the first day, with the guide providing useful help. That is a reminder to drink regularly rather than waiting until you feel thirsty. Water is available along the route, but prices can range from 6 to 10 soles for a one-litre bottle.

From San Juan de Chuccho, the route continues through Cosñirhua and Malata. These smaller settlements give the walk a human scale. You are not simply crossing empty mountain terrain. You pass villages, cultivated areas, fruit trees, and signs of daily life inside the canyon.

The walking distance is about 18 kilometres on the first day. The route eventually reaches Sangalle, at approximately 1,900 metres, around 5:00 pm.

Sangalle, dinner, and the Cielo Azul overnight stay

Sangalle is often called an oasis because of its lower altitude, warmer climate, and vegetation. After hours on the trail, its swimming pool is the main reward. You can relax in warm water before dinner, though you should not expect a luxury resort.

The overnight accommodation is at Cielo Azul Lodge in basic bungalows. This is practical shelter, not a polished hotel. Bring a sleep sheet if you have one, as well as sunscreen, a headlamp, and a small wash kit. The lodge provides the setting for recovery, but the simple accommodation is part of the bargain.

Dinner is included. Expect a basic meal rather than a restaurant experience. One account described both the food and accommodation as very simple, and also noted bugs around dinner. That does not make the stop unusable, but it helps you set the right expectations.

The swimming pool is especially valuable because the first day is not a gentle scenic stroll. You have walked downhill for hours, passed through several villages, and handled heat and altitude changes. I would treat the pool as a genuine part of the experience, not just a decorative extra.

The pre-dawn climb back to Cabanaconde

The second day begins at about 5:00 am. You climb uphill for roughly three hours, using torch lights as the sky begins to brighten. This is the most demanding part of the trip.

The route climbs from Sangalle back toward Cabanaconde, with a gain of around 1,500 metres according to the detailed trip description. You need good stamina, a steady pace, and patience. The uphill section is not a casual walk after breakfast. It is the reason this experience is best for people with a moderate to good level of fitness.

The reward is the changing view as sunrise reaches the canyon walls. The light can make the climb feel worthwhile, but you still need to focus on your footing. Carry water where you can reach it and keep your warm layer handy for the start.

Mule rides may be offered locally for the uphill section. This service is not provided or regulated by the tour company, and the supplied information raises clear safety concerns about poor saddle and foot-strap adjustments. I would not treat a mule as an automatic backup plan. If you are considering one, ask careful questions about the equipment and handling before agreeing.

After reaching Cabanaconde, you have breakfast. The sequence makes sense: complete the hard climb first, then eat and recover before the drive onward.

Chivay hot springs and the return to Arequipa

From Cabanaconde, the group heads back toward Chivay. Along the way, you see pre-Inca terraces, archaeological remains, colonial towns, and mountain scenery from the vehicle.

Around midday, you can visit the Chacapi hot springs. Several pools have water temperatures ranging from 30 to 60 degrees Celsius. The visit is optional, and there is an extra entrance charge.

The supplied cost information is inconsistent. One part lists the hot springs at 15 soles, while the separate fee section lists PEN70. Confirm the current amount before departure. Either way, keep extra soles available if you want to enter.

The hot springs are a sensible addition after the morning climb. If you are tired, you can skip them, but soaking in warm water can be a pleasant final chapter. The final lunch in Chivay is also optional and is not included. A typical buffet is listed at about 30 soles.

In the afternoon, the vehicle crosses Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve on the way to Arequipa. At Pampa Cañahuas, you stop briefly to see volcanoes and South American camelids. The official stop is about 10 to 15 minutes, but you may see alpacas, llamas, vicuñas, and possibly guanacos along the road for much longer.

This part gives the return journey more interest than a straight drive back. The reserve is a broad high-altitude setting, and the camelids are a useful reminder that this is working countryside, not just a sightseeing route.

The vehicle descends from about 4,830 metres to Arequipa, which sits near 2,325 metres. Arrival is expected around 5:30 pm, with drop-off near Calle Santa Catalina.

What the $124 price really covers

At $124 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to arrange a Colca Canyon visit. A local booking in Arequipa may cost less, with one estimate putting the price at about half. That difference deserves attention if your main goal is saving money.

The package does offer practical value. It includes:

• Hotel or hostel pickup
• Tourist transport
• Two breakfasts
• One lunch
• One dinner
• One night at Cielo Azul Lodge
• An English- or Spanish-speaking guide

You are paying for a planned route, transport from Arequipa, meals, and a small group capped at 12 people. That can be worthwhile if you do not want to arrange buses, lodging, meals, and trail logistics yourself.

Budget extra money for the Colca Canyon entrance fee, listed as PEN70 per person. The Chacapi hot springs and final lunch are also extra. Water along the path costs more than in town, so bring a refillable bottle and enough cash.

The tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason after booking. Poor weather is the exception: if the operator cancels because conditions are unsafe, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who should book this trek?

I would recommend it to you if you want a concentrated Colca Canyon experience and are comfortable with long walking days. It suits people who value dramatic scenery, local villages, condors, and a physical challenge more than comfort.

You should be reasonably fit. The descent can strain your knees, and the uphill return is the real test. Heat-related sickness has affected people on the route, so you need to take hydration, sun protection, and pacing seriously.

I would not choose it for a relaxed family outing, a soft-adventure holiday, or a first high-altitude activity with no preparation. Service animals are allowed, but the physical demands and rough trail make the route a poor match for anyone who cannot manage several hours of demanding walking.

Should you book the 2-day Colca Canyon trek?

Book this trip if you want the canyon’s major highlights in a tight two-day package and you value included transport, meals, and a guide. The condors, canyon villages, Sangalle pool, and sunrise climb create a memorable route, and Eveline’s reported support shows how much a good guide can add.

Skip it if you want polished accommodation, generous meals, flexible timing, or the lowest possible price. You can likely arrange a cheaper local version in Arequipa, but you will need to compare what is included.

My practical advice is to book this trek only after checking the hot springs fee, packing extra food, carrying plenty of water, and accepting that the lodge is basic. If you are prepared for the early starts and the long climb, the trip offers a strong mix of scenery, wildlife, villages, and hard-earned views.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins at approximately 3:00 am from your hotel or hostel in Arequipa.

How long is the drive from Arequipa to the trek?

The drive to Cabanaconde takes about six hours, including stops in Chivay and at Condor’s Cross.

How difficult is the Colca Canyon trek?

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. The first day includes about 18 kilometres of walking, mostly downhill, while the second day begins with roughly three hours of uphill walking.

Is food included?

Yes. The price includes two breakfasts, one lunch, and one dinner. The final lunch in Chivay is not included.

Is the Colca Canyon entrance fee included?

No. The stated entrance fee is PEN70 per person.

Is the hot springs visit included?

No. The Chacapi hot springs visit is optional and costs extra. The supplied information lists different prices, PEN15 in one place and PEN70 in another, so confirm the current fee before going.

Where does the tour finish?

The group returns to Arequipa at about 5:30 pm and drops off near Calle Santa Catalina, next to Santa Catalina Monastery.