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Remote Colca TrailColca trekRoute: Arequipa - Cabanaconde - Cruz del Condor - Chivay - ArequipaGet to see a different side of the Colca Canyon on our remote Colca trek tour. You’ll travel by local bus to a scenic and peaceful part of the canyon, where you can go trekking along the endless trails through the canyon. Because of the differences in altitude you’ll need to be in good physical condition for this module. The reward for all your hard work is a unique glimpse into a remote part of Peru that very few travellers get to see. After your Colca trekking, you'll have the chance to enjoy some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country. For a less strenuous, or shorter stay in the Colca Canyon, have a look at our organised Colca Canyon tour, or more individual 4x4 Colca Canyon trip. If you would like to see where you could go next after this Colca trek module, check out our Peru tours. |
| Duration | 3 days / 2 nights |
Accommodation |
2 nights in double room with shower/toilet |
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Price |
£48 per person - based on 2 people sharing |
Includes |
Transport to Cabanaconde, accommodation with breakfast |
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Transport |
Scheduled bus Arequipa - Cabanaconde |
Excludes |
Other meals, excursions, transfers, entrance fees (Cruz del Condor approx US$ 13 pp), transport to Arequipa (approx US$ 7). |
Day 1: Arequipa - CabanacondeYour Colca trekking tour begins early in the morning of the first day of this Peru trip. You'll make your way to Arequipa bus station where you can buy a cup of coffee and some snacks before you board the bus. The drive across the barren Altiplano and the Salinas National Park to the rural village of Cabanaconde takes about 5 hours.As you cross the Altiplano you’ll see packs of alpaca and the rare vicuñas grazing in the short grass. Leaving the Salinas national park the bus turns onto a dirt road, slowly climbing to a mountain pass at 4800m, the highest point of your Colca trekking itinerary, before descending into the Colca Valley. |
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When you’ve crossed the pass, the road leads downhill to Chivay, the most important town in the Colca Canyon because of its location on the road from Colca to Arequipa. After a short stop to stretch your legs, you’ll continue into the canyon. The best views are on the right where you can look out across the ancient Inca terraces. You’ll see farmers in their brightly coloured traditional dress working in the terraced fields. The bus will stop in a couple of small villages, to pick up and drop off local passengers, and 2 hours later you'll arrive at the final destination: Cabanaconde. Arriving in Cabanaconde, you make your own way to your accommodation. It’s not very far. Cabanaconde is a small country village tucked away in the canyon and the perfect base for your Colca trek into the canyon. You can spend the rest of the day acclimatising and soaking up the relaxed atmosphere and amazing views all around you. |
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The canyon floor has a subtropical climate, but although it’s nice and warm during the day it can get quite chilly at night. There are thick blankets on the bed, but you can always ask for a hot water bottle at reception! We’ve kept this Colca trek module as flexible as possible which is why we’ve only arranged your accommodation. The rest is up to you, but here are a couple of suggestions for your Peru trip: The next day, just take it easy and explore the area close to the hotel. If you’re itching to lace up your hiking boots, ask for information on the hiking trails at the hotel reception. We don’t recommend venturing deep into the canyon without asking the way or finding out more about the routes beforehand. Unfortunately, we can’t arrange a guide for you locally, but if you’d like to be assured of a guide you can always book ahead yourself in Arequipa. The local villagers are very helpful and will be happy to show you the way or even offer you a donkey to carry your bags. Please be aware that you’re at high altitude and the weather in the mountains can be very unpredictable. |
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Day 2: CabanacondeIf you’re planning on heading down into the canyon, take an experienced guide (ask at the hotel reception). Otherwise, just spend the day relaxing, wandering through the cobbled streets of Cabanaconde, stepping aside for the occasional passing llama.If you’re up for a challenging Colca trek, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Trekking can be quite strenuous at this altitude and heat, but you’ll be rewarded with magnificent views across the mountains, gorges and condors soaring in the air right above your head. You’ve got the whole day, so don’t overdo it. One of the most interesting trails in the area leads to the oasis deep down on the canyon floor. There’s a small natural pool where you can soothe your feet in the water. Plan a full day for this Colca trekking experience, it’s at least 6 hours there and back and it can get dark very early. At the end of your hike, you’ll return to your hosteria where you can put your feet up. |
Day 3: Cabanaconde - ArequipaIt’s another early start on your Colca trek module to catch the 7am bus to Cruz del Condor. Make sure you get there half an hour before the bus leaves because you’ll need to buy the bus tickets yourself. Ask at the hotel reception for more details if necessary. As the bus comes chugging up the road, people run out from nowhere hoping to catch a last-minute ride. At this time of day the bus is full of villagers on their way to their fields or other villages in the area to trade their merchandise.At Cruz del Condor you’ll join several other tourists waiting patiently to catch a glimpse of condors at the rim of the canyon. The condors have a wing span of 3m, so you can imagine what a majestic sight it is to see them soaring in the air just above your head. Bring your binoculars and camera if you have them. These days there’s an entrance fee of US $6 per person which you’ll need to pay locally. |
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Around 9.30am you’ll take the local bus to Chivay, if it’s not going directly to Arequipa. Our local agent will let you know how to buy your ticket and the best way to travel from Cabanaconde to Arequipa. The popular and somewhat touristic market village of Chivay is a nice place to wander around for a couple of hours. If you’re still feeling a bit sore from yesterday’s Colca trek, then take a taxi to the hot springs at La Calera, a short drive from the village. The bus leaves Chivay around 3pm, arriving in Arequipa in the early evening. From the station take a taxi back to your hotel where you can pick up the rest of your baggage, and where this Colca trek module ends. After a final night in Arequipa, you can continue your trip to Puno to sail to the floating reed islands on our Lake Titicaca Tour. If you’re planning on combining your Peru trip with Bolivia, it makes sense to visit the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu on one of our Machu Picchu holidays, before travelling on to a Bolivia tour. |
What to bring on your Colca Canyon trekking trip:
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