2-Day Hiking Tour to Colca Canyon from Arequipa

Hike down into the canyon, sleep by the river, hike back out

A 2-day hiking tour from Arequipa descends into Colca Canyon to the Sangalle Oasis, where you overnight in a typical lodge, then climb back out the next morning. You start with breakfast at a private terrace in San Miguel overlooking the canyon, hike down through the valley for three and a half hours crossing a hanging bridge, rest at the river, and reach the oasis by evening. The return day climbs uphill for three hours to Cabanaconde, with stops at hot springs and a volcano viewpoint on the drive back to Arequipa.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arequipa to Sangalle Oasis hike

• Travel to Chivay
• Breakfast in Chivay
• Drive to Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint
• Visit Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint
• Drive to Pampas de San Miguel
• Walk down canyon to Colca River
• Cross first hanging bridge
• Lunch in San Juan de Chuccho
• Rest in San Juan de Chuccho
• Hike to Sangalle Oasis
• Enjoy pools and dinner at Sangalle
• Overnight at Sangalle accommodation

Day 2: Return hike and sightseeing to Arequipa

• Early hike uphill to Cabanaconde
• Breakfast in Cabanaconde
• Stops from Cabanaconde to Chivay
• Visit Yanque thermo-medicinal waters
• Stop at volcano viewpoint
• Observe local flora and fauna
• Return to Arequipa

The experience

The tour leaves Arequipa at 06:30 a.m. and drives three hours to Chivay, where breakfast waits. From there, a one-hour drive takes you to Pampas de San Miguel near Cabanaconde, the trailhead where the hike begins. The descent into the canyon runs three and a half hours: you drop through the valley, cross the first hanging bridge in the area, and reach San Juan de Chuccho for lunch. After resting, the trail continues to Sangalle Oasis, arriving around 5 p.m. The oasis sits at the river level surrounded by palm trees, with a pool and typical hostel accommodation at Eden Lodge.

Day two starts at 04:30 a.m. with an uphill walk of three hours from Sangalle back to Cabanaconde, where breakfast meets you in town. The drive back to Arequipa includes stops: the hot springs at Yanque, where you can soak in the thermo-medicinal waters, and a viewpoint at 4,900 meters elevation overlooking the Chila range and the Ampato, Sabancaya and Hualca Hualca volcanoes. You arrive back in Arequipa between 5 and 6 p.m. A bilingual guide (English, Spanish or French) leads the hikes and travels with the group throughout.

The tour runs small groups for personalized attention on challenging terrain. Lunch and dinner on day one, plus a buffet lunch on day two, are included. An air-conditioned vehicle handles all transport. The operator holds the MINCETUR Tourism Quality seal (CALTUR). Children are welcome from age 11. The itinerary is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns, and a high level of physical fitness is required.

What’s included

• Bilingual guide in English, Spanish or French.
• air-conditioned vehicle for all transport.
• breakfast on day one at a private terrace overlooking the canyon.
• lunch and dinner on day one.
• breakfast and buffet lunch on day two.
• overnight accommodation at Eden Lodge in Sangalle with access to the pool and facilities.
• hotel pickup in Arequipa.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 03:00

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 70 years) · Youth (15 to 17 years) · Child (11 to 14 years) · Under 11: can't be booked

GroupUp to 13

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 25

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Physically demandingPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Expotravel Perú

Is this one for you?Small groups keep the hikes safer and more personal on steep, exposed terrain. Choose this tour if you have only two days but want to descend into the canyon itself rather than view it from above, and if you're comfortable with early starts, significant elevation change, and sleeping in a basic lodge at the river level.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 17 years); Child (11 to 14 years). Children under 11 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Sangalle Oasis like, and why do you sleep there instead of in a town?

Sangalle Oasis sits at the bottom of the canyon beside the Colca River, surrounded by palm trees and natural pools. Sleeping there lets you experience the canyon's depth and isolation rather than returning to a town each night, and it breaks the hike into two manageable days instead of one exhausting push.

How difficult is the hike, and what fitness level do I need?

The descent on day one covers three and a half hours downhill. The ascent on day two covers three hours uphill. The operator rates these as challenging hikes for experienced adventurers and requires a high level of physical fitness. The terrain is steep and the altitude is significant, so this is not a casual walk.

Do I see the condor at Cruz del Cóndor, and how long do we spend there?

Cruz del Cóndor is a viewpoint where the famous condor flight can be seen. You have approximately 40 minutes to visit and watch for the birds. Sightings depend on the time of day and season, but the viewpoint is designed for this purpose.

What happens on the drive back to Arequipa on day two?

The return drive includes a stop at the hot springs in Yanque, where you can bathe in thermo-medicinal waters, and a stop at a volcano viewpoint at 4,900 meters elevation overlooking the Chila range and three volcanoes: Ampato, Sabancaya and Hualca Hualca. You arrive back in Arequipa between 5 and 6 p.m.