2-Day Colca Canyon Tour from Chivay to Puno: Condor Flight

The Andean condor soars at Cruz del Cóndor, the largest non-marine bird on the planet and the centerpiece of this canyon crossing.

A 2-day guided tour departing from Chivay that crosses the Colca Valley and Colca Canyon to Puno, with hotel, breakfast and transport included. Day one climbs the Chachani volcano slopes, passes through the Pampa Cañahuas vicuña reserve, and ends with thermal baths and a folkloric dinner in Chivay. Day two descends into Colca Canyon to watch condors at Cruz del Cóndor, visits pre-Inca hanging tombs and high-altitude viewpoints, then travels to Puno.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: History, culture and nature.

• Climb Chachani volcano slopes
• View Misti and Picchu Picchu volcanoes
• Cross Pampa Cañahuas vicuña reserve
• Stop at Bofedales de Tocra wetlands
• Visit Andes viewpoint Pata Pampa
• Descend to Chivay town
• Have lunch buffet in Chivay
• Check-in at hotel in Chivay
• Relax and rest at hotel
• Bath in Chacapi thermal pools
• Attend folkloric dinner show

Day 2: Majestic Colca Canyon

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Colca Valley and church
• Watch “WITITI” dance
• Explore cultivation terraces and flora
• Observe flight of Andean condor at Cruz del Cóndor
• Visit Huayra Punko viewpoint
• Visit Antahuilque viewpoint
• Stop at Maca town
• Buffet lunch in Chivay
• Travel to Puno city
• Stop at Patapampa viewpoint
• Enjoy aperitif and coca tea
• Stop at Lagunillas lakes viewpoint
• Arrive in Puno around 7:00pm

The experience

The route starts at high altitude, climbing the Chachani volcano and crossing the Pampa Cañahuas vicuña reserve where camelids, Andean flamingos and ducks live in their natural habitat. The highest point of the entire trip is Pata Pampa, at 4,900 meters above sea level, where you can see the active Sabancaya volcano and the snow-capped peaks of Ampato and Hualca Hualca. From there the path descends toward Chivay, where you'll have lunch and check into your hotel before heading to the thermal pools at Chacapi for a refreshing soak.

Day two focuses on Colca Canyon itself. After breakfast at the hotel, the guide takes you through the canyon to see its legendary church and the Wititi dance, a cultural heritage performance. The main stop is Cruz del Cóndor, a viewpoint built specifically to watch Andean condors ride the thermal currents above the canyon. On the return, you'll visit the Huayra Punko and Antahuilque viewpoints to see pre-Inca hanging tombs and enchanted lagoons, then stop in the small town of Maca before a final lunch in Chivay. The tour then heads toward Puno, passing through Patapampa at 4,900 meters where you can see stone towers called apachetas left by ancient travelers as offerings to the gods, and Lagunillas, where high-altitude lakes reflect the sky and Andean flamingos gather. Arrival in Puno is around 7 p.m.

A certified guide in English or Spanish leads the entire journey and explains each stop. The hotel in Chivay is three-star with private rooms, hot water and wifi. Transport by bus is included throughout, as is breakfast on both mornings and one dinner with a folkloric show on the first evening.

What’s included

• Three-star hotel in Chivay with private rooms, hot water and wifi.
• breakfast on both mornings.
• transport by bus throughout the route.
• certified guide in English or Spanish.
• access to thermal pools at Chacapi.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to15h before

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 75 years) · Youth (14 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 13 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 27

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Puriy Perú Expeditions

Is this one for you?Two days is long enough to reach Colca Canyon and watch the condors at Cruz del Cóndor, but short enough to start and end in different towns, Chivay to Puno, so the journey itself becomes part of the experience rather than a return trip.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 17 years); Child (5 to 13 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

What is the Condor Flight at Cruz del Cóndor and when do we see it?

Cruz del Cóndor is a high viewpoint in Colca Canyon built as a strategic observation point for watching Andean condors, the largest non-marine birds on the planet. The condors ride thermal currents rising from the canyon, and the morning hours on day two are when they are most active and visible.

Does the tour include entry to Colca Canyon and the thermal baths?

The tour includes transport to Colca Canyon and the thermal pools at Chacapi, but entry fees are separate. The tourist ticket to Colca Canyon costs S/70 for foreigners, S/40 for Latin American visitors and S/20 for Peruvians. Entry to the thermal baths is S/15.

What happens on the first night in Chivay?

After checking into your hotel and resting, you'll go to the thermal pools at Chacapi for a swim. In the evening you'll attend a folkloric show with typical dances of the region at a local club. Dinner at the club is not included in the tour price.

What is Pata Pampa and why do we stop there?

Pata Pampa is the highest point of the entire tour at 4,900 meters above sea level. The stop offers panoramic views of the active Sabancaya volcano and the snow-capped mountains of Ampato and Hualca Hualca, and on the return journey on day two you'll see ancient stone towers called apachetas that travelers left as offerings to the gods.

What wildlife can we see in the Pampa Cañahuas reserve?

The Pampa Cañahuas is a high Andean habitat where vicuñas live and are protected. The reserve is also home to Andean flamingos, ducks and other birds, and you may spot local muleteers working in the area.