2 Day Trek Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon

Wake before dawn for a canyon worth the effort. This two-day trip from Arequipa combines a demanding Colca Canyon trek with a useful one-way transfer to Puno, so you spend less time retracing your route. I like the small group of up to 12 people, and I like that luggage transport and the Puno connection are handled for you.

The scenery is the star: Andean condors at Condor’s Cross, old terraces, village paths, and the warm pool at Sangalle. The catch is the uphill return, roughly 950 to 1,200 meters in about three hours, so this is not a gentle sightseeing outing.

Key points to know before booking

• A 3:00 to 3:30 am start from Arequipa leads to a long first day and a downhill trek.
• Condor’s Cross offers one of the best-known viewing points for Andean condors, with wingspans reaching more than three meters.
• Sangalle sits deep in the canyon at about 1,900 meters, with a warm swimming pool and basic bungalow lodging.
• The second-day climb is the real test, beginning around 5:00 am by torchlight and lasting about three hours.
• The transfer to Puno adds real value, especially if you already plan to continue there after Colca Canyon.
• Budget extra money for the Colca Canyon entrance, Chacapi hot springs, and your final lunch in Chivay.

Why this two-day route makes sense

At $179 per person, this is not simply a hike. You are paying for early transport from Arequipa, a guide, canyon transport, accommodation, meals, and onward travel to Puno. That combination can save you the trouble of arranging several separate buses and a lodge.

I especially like the route for people building a southern Peru trip around Arequipa, Colca Canyon, and Lake Titicaca. You finish in Puno at about 6:30 pm on the second day instead of returning to Arequipa and losing another travel day.

The value depends on how you book. One person on the trip discovered that other members of the group had paid less than half by arranging it locally in Arequipa. That does not prove the online price is always poor, since prices and booking conditions can change, but it gives you a useful warning: check the local price before paying online.

The group size is capped at 12, which should give you more access to the guide than a large coach tour. The trip still includes long road stretches and basic services, so you should think of it as an efficient trekking transfer rather than a polished premium tour.

The pre-dawn road to Cabanaconde

Pickup begins around 3:00 to 3:30 am from your Arequipa hotel or hostel. The drive toward Cabanaconde takes about six hours, with breakfast in Chivay along the way.

This is a rough start for anyone who sleeps poorly on buses. You will need to manage breakfast, a long ride, and a major hike on the same morning. On the other hand, leaving early is what allows you to see the canyon and complete the route in two days.

Chivay is more than a breakfast stop. Its traditional houses and colorful surroundings give you a quick introduction to the Colca Valley. You have about 30 minutes in the Plaza de Armas area, enough to stretch your legs and get a first look at the town.

Do not expect a full town visit at this hour. The stop is practical, not leisurely. Still, that short pause can make the long drive feel more manageable.

Condors at the canyon rim

The next major stop is Condor’s Cross, a viewpoint known for sightings of the Andean condor. These birds can weigh up to 12 kilograms and have wingspans of more than three meters, making them an impressive sight even when they appear as dark shapes gliding below the rim.

You have around 30 minutes at the viewpoint. That is enough time for a look, photographs, and a quick pause before the trek. Condors are wild animals, so no viewing can be guaranteed, but this is the trip’s best-known place for seeing them.

The viewpoint also helps you understand the scale of Colca Canyon before you walk into it. From here, the canyon is not just a distant scenic backdrop. You can see the route’s steep walls and begin to grasp what the climb out will require.

After Condor’s Cross, the bus travels about 20 more minutes to the trailhead. This is where the day changes from road trip to serious hike.

Three hours downhill into Colca Canyon

The first section drops from about 3,300 meters to roughly 2,100 meters. The descent takes about three hours, and downhill does not mean easy.

A steep path can be hard on knees and balance, especially after a sleepless start. Sun exposure adds to the strain. Wear sturdy shoes, carry water, and keep your backpack light. One useful detail from the trip setup is that luggage transport is arranged, so you should not need to carry everything you brought from Arequipa.

The payoff is constant change in scenery as you lose altitude. The route passes through villages and cultivated areas rather than staying on a single barren track. It feels more like moving through a lived-in valley than checking off a viewpoint.

You stop for lunch in San Juan de Chuccho, a village with vegetation and fruit trees. The setting provides a welcome break after the descent. Food is included, and the meal may be prepared in a local family home. The food is simple, but fresh juices and a home-cooked lunch can be among the most pleasant parts of the day.

Do not confuse this with a restaurant-focused tour. The included meals are adequate rather than luxurious. If you need frequent snacks, bring your own, since the schedule is long and the food arrangements are basic.

Villages, terraces, and the final descent to Sangalle

After lunch, the route continues through Cosñirhua and Malata. These small settlements help break up the hike and show you how people live in the canyon, where the climate changes as you descend.

The trail then drops farther toward Sangalle, the lowest point of the trek. Sangalle sits at approximately 1,900 meters and is often called an oasis because of its warmer climate and planted areas. Arrival is expected around 5:00 pm, after roughly 11 hours of travel, stops, and walking.

This final stretch can feel long. You have already been awake since the middle of the night, and the downhill sections can leave your legs tired before the next day’s climb.

The warm swimming pool is a major reason this itinerary works. It gives you a place to loosen up after the descent, and the setting offers a welcome contrast to the cold, early hours on the road. Bring swimwear if you want to use it.

Overnight accommodation is in basic bungalows at Cielo Azul Lodge or a similar oasis lodge. The lodging is functional rather than refined. A previous stay found the oasis accommodation somewhat shabby, though acceptable for one night. You may have limited comfort and no hot water, so keep expectations modest.

Dinner is included, followed by an early night. You will need it.

The sunrise climb back to Cabanaconde

The hardest section begins around 5:00 am on day two. You start climbing toward Cabanaconde with torch lights, aiming to complete roughly three hours of uphill walking before breakfast.

The climb gains about 950 meters, with some descriptions putting the overall elevation change closer to 1,200 meters depending on how it is measured. Either way, this is a serious ascent. It is the part most likely to determine whether you enjoy the trip.

Starting in darkness has one benefit. As the sun rises, the canyon opens around you and the views can become spectacular. You see the walls from inside the canyon, rather than from a roadside viewpoint, and the changing light gives the climb a strong sense of progress.

The climb is demanding under the sun, so pace yourself. Do not carry a heavy pack just because you can. Use the luggage service, take small sips of water, and keep your own daypack limited to essentials.

At Cabanaconde, breakfast gives you a chance to recover. This is also where the walking portion ends. The trip then shifts back to road travel, with stops around Chivay and on the route to Puno.

Chacapi hot springs near Chivay

After breakfast in Cabanaconde, you travel toward Chivay and can stop at Chacapi hot springs. Entry costs 15 soles and is not included.

The pools range from about 30°C to 60°C. After the uphill climb, warm water can feel like a sensible reward rather than a tourist extra. The stop lasts about an hour and is optional, so you can skip it if you would rather rest or avoid paying another fee.

The hot springs are also a useful test of your energy. If the climb has left you exhausted, you may prefer a quiet break. If your muscles are stiff and you still have a long transfer ahead, the pools may be worth the additional cost.

Lunch in Chivay is also optional and is not included. The listed buffet price is 30 soles. This is your final chance to eat before the afternoon transfer, so plan for that expense rather than assuming every meal is covered.

From Chivay to Puno through high country

The onward transfer is one of the strongest practical reasons to choose this trip. From Chivay, you travel toward Puno, descending from a high point of about 4,830 meters to Puno’s elevation of roughly 2,325 meters.

The road passes through Pampa Cañahuas in the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve. A short stop at Pampa Cañahuas is listed at about 15 minutes, though you can continue seeing the reserve’s scenery and animals for more than an hour from the road.

Look for llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos, the four South American camelid species associated with the area. Volcano views add another reason to keep your camera ready.

This is not a full reserve tour with long walks. It is a roadside viewing stop during a transfer. Still, after the canyon hike, the broad high-altitude scenery gives you a different side of southern Peru.

The bus should reach Puno around 6:30 pm, with drop-off at a hotel or hostel in the city center. You may need to change buses during the connection from Chivay to Puno, so keep your essential items with you and pay attention to the transfer instructions.

What is included, and what is not

The $179 price includes:

• Transfer from Arequipa toward the Colca Canyon route
• Transfer from Chivay to Puno
• One night of basic accommodation
• Dinner
• Lunch during the canyon trek
• Two breakfasts
• Small-group guiding, with a maximum of 12 people
• Luggage transport arrangements

You should budget separately for:

• Colca Canyon entrance: 70 soles per person
• Chacapi hot springs: 15 soles per person
• Final lunch in Chivay: about 30 soles per person

That adds 115 soles in listed extras if you choose the hot springs and buffet lunch. The canyon fee is especially important because it is not an optional add-on. Include it when comparing the total cost with other ways to visit Colca Canyon.

The basic meals and lodging help keep the package convenient, but they do not make it a comfort-focused tour. The food is reported as acceptable, with the home-cooked lunch and fresh juices offering the best chance of a memorable meal.

Who should book this trek

I would choose this route if you have limited time and already plan to continue from Colca Canyon to Puno. The direct connection saves you from organizing another transport day, and the small group should make the walking portions easier to manage.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The first day involves a long descent after a six-hour drive, and the second includes a steep uphill climb of about three hours. This is not a good choice if you want a relaxed canyon visit with short walks.

The trip suits you if you are comfortable with:

• A 3:00 am departure
• Basic overnight accommodation
• Simple included meals
• A hard uphill climb
• Optional paid stops
• Long road transfers
• Changing buses on the way to Puno

It is less suitable if you want private transport, spacious lodging, flexible hiking times, or a polished food program.

The experience is listed as requiring good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Ordinary cancellations and changes are not refundable, so do not book until your dates are firm.

Should you book this Colca Canyon to Puno trip?

Book it if efficiency matters as much as comfort. The condor viewpoint, canyon villages, warm Sangalle pool, sunrise climb, and Puno transfer create a packed but worthwhile two-day route.

Before paying, compare the online price with local booking options in Arequipa. The $179 cost can be fair once transport, meals, lodging, and the Puno connection are counted, but a large local price difference would change the value calculation.

Go in prepared: carry water, sunscreen, a torch, swimwear, sturdy footwear, and a small backpack. If you can handle the early start and demanding ascent, this gives you a strong look at Colca Canyon without giving up a full day to return to Arequipa.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins between 3:00 and 3:30 am from your hotel or hostel in Arequipa.

How long is the tour?

The trip lasts approximately two days and ends in Puno at about 6:30 pm on the second day.

How difficult is the trek?

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. The first day includes about three hours of downhill hiking, and the second day includes about three hours of uphill hiking from Sangalle to Cabanaconde.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. One night in basic bungalow accommodation at Sangalle is included.

Is the Colca Canyon entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee is 70 soles per person.

Is the hot springs visit included?

The visit to Chacapi hot springs is optional. Entry costs 15 soles per person and is not included.

What meals are included?

Dinner, lunch during the trek, and two breakfasts are included. Your final lunch in Chivay is not included and is listed at about 30 soles for the buffet.