Picture this: you stand at a canyon viewpoint, and an Andean condor glides over the deep valley in front of you. That is the classic moment at Cruz del Cóndor, in the Colca Canyon. Most visitors start the trip in Arequipa, a white stone city ringed by volcanoes. This guide shows how to plan Arequipa and Colca Canyon in about three days, using facts from Peru’s tourism board (PromPerú).
Want a ready-made route? See this Arequipa, Puno and Cusco 2-week itinerary. You can also take the longer South Peru circuit or add Cusco and Machu Picchu tour packages to your trip. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the official peru.travel site and not a government page.
Arequipa and Colca Canyon: the quick facts
According to PromPerú’s travel guide for Arequipa:
- Arequipa city sits at 2,335 m (about 7,660 ft) above sea level.
- Its historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000.
- Three volcanoes frame the city: Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu.
- Chivay, the main town of the Colca Valley, is 151 km from Arequipa. That is about 3 hours by car.
- PromPerú suggests 3 days as the minimum stay in the region.
How to get to Arequipa and Colca Canyon
PromPerú lists these travel times:
| Route | Time |
|---|---|
| Flight from Lima | About 1 h 15 min |
| Flight from Cusco | About 1 h |
| Road from Puno (325 km) | About 6 h |
| Road from Cusco (515 km) | About 10 h |
| Road from Lima (1,009 km) | About 16 h |
From Lima, most visitors fly. But the road trip is long.
Altitude: plan the Colca day with care
Arequipa is lower than Cusco. But the road to Colca climbs much higher.
PromPerú lists Patapampa, in the Colca province of Caylloma, as the highest point of the Arequipa region, at 4,910 m. Some Colca tours stop there on the way to Chivay. That is more than 2,500 m above Arequipa.
Our tip: spend your first day in Arequipa. Go to Colca after that. If you are new to the Andes, read our guide to altitude sickness in Peru before you go.
Day 1: Arequipa’s historic center
First, start at the Plaza de Armas. You will see the cathedral and stone arches, with the Misti and Chachani volcanoes behind them.
Then walk to the Santa Catalina Monastery. PromPerú says it opened in 1579 and was fully closed to the outside world until 1970. With its small streets and patios, it looks like a little town inside the city. Opening hours in the guide: Friday to Wednesday 9:00 to 17:00, and Thursday 9:00 to 19:30.
One more stop if you like history: the Museo Santuarios Andinos. From May to December, it shows Juanita, an Inca mummy more than 500 years old, according to PromPerú.
Finally, end the day at the Yanahuara viewpoint, 2 km north of the center. It has a classic view of the Misti volcano.
What to eat in Arequipa
Arequipa is a food city. PromPerú highlights its picanterías, traditional local restaurants. Try these:
- Rocoto relleno: a stuffed red pepper.
- Chupe: a hearty soup.
- Soltero de queso: a fresh cheese salad.
- Adobo arequipeño: the classic Sunday dish.
- Queso helado: the local ice cream dessert.
Want a market visit? PromPerú suggests the San Camilo market for cheese and bread.
Days 2 and 3: the Colca Canyon
A common plan is a 2-day tour with one night in or near Chivay. PromPerú lists the Colca Valley among its 2-day trips from Arequipa.
What to expect:
- Deep canyon views. Colca is more than 3,000 m deep. PromPerú gives about 3,200 m and calls it one of the deepest canyons on the planet.
- Condors at Cruz del Cóndor. This viewpoint is famous for watching condors fly.
- Old churches and villages. The guide says some churches are more than 400 years old.
- Hot springs. The valley has natural hot springs.
- Living culture. The Wititi dance of the Colca Valley is on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
On the way, you cross the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve. Also, its best-known animal is the vicuña.
PromPerú also notes that UNESCO named Colca and the Andagua Volcanoes a Geopark. It was the first in Peru.
Entry to the Colca area requires a tourist ticket (boleto). So ask your operator if it is included.
Is one day enough for Colca?
It is possible, but it is a very long day. Chivay alone is about 3 hours each way, and Cruz del Cóndor is farther. With two days, you have time for the hot springs and an early start for the condors.
What to pack for Arequipa and Colca Canyon
- Warm layers for the high passes on the way to Colca.
- Sun protection. Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Cash in small bills for local markets.
- Comfortable shoes for village streets and viewpoints.
Common mistakes in Arequipa and Colca Canyon
- Going to Colca on arrival day. Instead, rest in Arequipa first.
- Packing for the city only. Patapampa is more than 2,500 m higher than Arequipa.
- Skipping Santa Catalina because of the opening hours. So check them first.
- Not asking what the tour includes: tourist ticket, hot springs, meals.
Final tip: give the condors an early morning
Arequipa and Colca Canyon work best as a slow pair. Take one day for the white city, then two for the canyon. So get up early at Cruz del Cóndor. Then look up. That is the photo you will show everyone at home.
