Colca Canyon Tour (full day)

You will be picked up from your hotel in Arequipa between 2.30 and 3.00 am. En route we will see incredible landscapes, beautiful terraces and snow-capped volcanoes, including Arequipa's El Misti Volcano, at 5,825masl. You will also pass through reserves where rare vicuña live (Peru's national animal - similar to alpaca). After this we will stop in Patahuasi, where we can have coca/muña (natural peppermint) tea. From here we continue, passing through Tojrapampa, where we can appreciate wetlands with various types of birds, south American camelids, and finally we reach the highest point at 4,910masl at Patapampa. This is a Andean viewpoint and from here offers great views of surrounding volcanoes and peaks. At around 7 am we arrive in Chivay where we will have breakfast. After breakfast we set off to the 'Cruz Del Condor' by bus, stopping at the small towns of Yanque and Maca and the Choquetico viewpoint. At this last lookout point you can enjoy stunning views of Colca Canyon and hopefully see the impressive Andean condors soaring above the void. On the way back to Chivay you can investigate the Pre-Inca tombs hidden in the mountainside. We also visit the 'Litomaquetas', the clock tower of the terraces and you will stop in 3 unique traditional villages to take a closer look at local handicrafts and customs. We pass through Chivay again around 1pm before continuing on to Arequipa where we arrive at approximately 6.00 pm.