2-Day Colca Canyon Tour from Arequipa: Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint

Two days crossing high-altitude reserves and thermal valleys to watch condors at the canyon's edge

A 2-day Colca Canyon tour from Arequipa includes hotel pickup, a live guide in English or Spanish, one night accommodation in Chivay, and breakfast on the second morning. Day one runs north through Pampa Cañahuas national reserve and Patapampa viewpoint (4,830 meters) to Chivay. Day two departs at 6 AM to reach Cruz del Cóndor for an hour watching condors ride the thermals above the canyon, then returns to Arequipa by mid-afternoon. The tour covers multiple stops in traditional villages and viewpoints. Lunch and the optional hot spring entrance fee are arranged separately.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arequipa to Chivay via National Reserve

• 07:30 AM hotel pickup in Arequipa
• Drive to Pampa Cañahuas reserve
• Visit Tocrapampa wetlands
• Stop at Patapampa viewpoint (4830 m)
• Arrive in Chivay town
• Lunch in Chivay
• Hotel check-in
• Optional visit to hot springs
• Optional dinner with dance show
• Overnight in Chivay

Day 2: Colca Canyon and Return to Arequipa

• 05:00 Breakfast in Chivay
• 06:00 Visit Cruz del Condor viewpoint
• Stop at traditional villages and viewpoints
• Lunch in Chivay
• Return to Arequipa
• Arrive in Arequipa around 16:30

The experience

The tour starts with a 7:30 AM pickup from your Arequipa hotel and heads north toward Chivay. Along the way, the route passes through Pampa Cañahuas (a national reserve where vicuñas graze), Tocrapampa's wetlands, and Patapampa: a high-altitude viewpoint at 4,830 meters where the Andes stretch across the horizon. You arrive in Chivay by afternoon, check into a two-star hotel, and have the option to visit the thermal baths before dinner (the hot spring entrance fee is paid separately on arrival).

Day two begins at 5 AM with breakfast, then a drive to Cruz del Cóndor for the main event: a one-hour stop watching Andean condors glide above the Colca Canyon. The canyon itself is one of the deepest in the world, and the birds ride the thermal currents close enough that their scale becomes real. After this, the route loops back through traditional villages and smaller viewpoints (Choquetico and Antahuillque among them), before stopping in Chivay for lunch. The return to Arequipa takes the afternoon, with arrival around 4:30 PM.

Your guide speaks English and Spanish throughout. The bus or van carries small groups, and the pace is built around the stops rather than the drive. You spend time at each viewpoint instead of rushing through. Breakfast on day two is included. Lunch and dinner are your choice (the operator can arrange them, but they are not part of the package). Children from age six are welcome, though the high altitude and early mornings mean the tour suits families comfortable with those conditions.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Arequipa on day one and return transport on day two.
• tourist bus or van with a live guide in English or Spanish.
• one night accommodation in Chivay (two-star hotel with double, twin or triple room).
• breakfast on day two.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (25 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 80 years) · Youth (18 to 24 years) · Child (6 to 17 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 20

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Arequipa Tour

Is this one for you?The 5 AM start on day two and the high-altitude stops (Patapampa at 4,830 meters) mean this tour suits travelers comfortable with early mornings and mountain elevation. If you prefer a slower pace or lower altitudes, a single-day canyon tour from Arequipa would be easier. This one trades convenience for the full experience of the condor viewpoint and the thermal valleys in between.

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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 (18 to 24 years); Child (6 to 17 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What time does the tour leave Arequipa on the first day?

The tour departs at 7:30 AM from your hotel in Arequipa and heads north toward Chivay, making stops at Pampa Cañahuas national reserve, Tocrapampa wetlands, and Patapampa viewpoint before arriving in Chivay by afternoon.

What is Cruz del Cóndor and why is it the main stop on day two?

Cruz del Cóndor is a viewpoint above the Colca Canyon where Andean condors soar on thermal currents. The tour stops here for one hour on the morning of day two, giving you time to watch the birds in flight and see the depth of the canyon itself.

Where do I sleep, and what is included in the hotel?

You stay one night in Chivay in a two-star hotel (Colca Inn Hotel or similar) with a double, twin or triple room. Breakfast is included on day two. Dinner on day one is optional and arranged separately.

How high does the tour go, and what should I know about altitude?

Patapampa viewpoint sits at 4,830 meters (15,846 feet), so the tour crosses high-altitude terrain. The early start on day two (5 AM) and the elevation mean the tour suits travelers accustomed to mountain conditions. The operator notes it is not recommended for those with cardiovascular or spinal concerns.

Is lunch included, and what about the thermal baths?

Lunch on day two is optional and arranged in Chivay. The thermal baths near Chivay are also optional. The entrance fee (15 soles) is paid separately on arrival if you choose to visit.