Colca Canyon: Full Day Tour with Breakfast & Guide

Summary

Colca Canyon condors, ancient terraces, village stops, breakfast included

You’ll travel through remote Peruvian valleys on this Colca Canyon day trip from Arequipa, sharing breakfast with your group and watching Andean condors soar at Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint. Expect early pickup, a local guide who knows every curve in the road, and glimpses of ancient terraces before heading back tired but a little changed by all that space.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t really know what to expect from a day trip to Colca Canyon — just that people kept talking about the condors and how deep the canyon is. We left Arequipa early when it was still dark, the van windows foggy with everyone’s sleepy breath. Our guide, Juan, handed out coca tea (tastes kind of grassy but in a good way) and told us stories about the valley people. I remember one thing he said about how they still farm those Inca terraces — you can actually see them stretching along the hills as soon as the sun comes up.

The road winds for hours but it never gets boring. There were alpacas just standing around like they owned the place, and every now and then we’d pass tiny villages where women wore those bright embroidered hats. At Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, everyone got quiet waiting for the birds. It’s weird how silent it gets with that many people around. Then suddenly — wings overhead, huge shadows on the rocks below. I’d seen photos before but seeing an Andean condor glide right over you is… well, hard to explain without sounding dramatic. I think I grinned like an idiot.

Breakfast was simple but warm — bread, eggs, coffee that tasted stronger than usual (maybe because of the altitude?). Juan pointed out Cotahuasi Canyon in the distance; apparently even deeper than Colca but harder to reach. He joked that if we wanted to hike there next time we’d need better shoes and more coca leaves. The drive back was quieter; most people dozed off or stared out at green fields and stone walls stacked by hand ages ago. I kept thinking about those birds — how calm they looked just riding the wind above everything.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full day tour of Colca Canyon

• Pick up from hotels at 3:00 AM
• Travel through Yura
• Stop for breakfast
• Arrive at Cruz del Cóndor at 8:30 AM
• View Andean condors and canyon
• Visit Pinchollo, Maca, and Yanque towns
• See colonial churches
• Stop at Antahuilque and Choquetico viewpoints
• Observe tombs, pre-Inca models, and terraces
• Go to thermal baths in Chivay at 11:30 AM
• Lunch in Chivay at 12:30 PM
• Stop at volcanoes viewpoint
• Visit Tocra wetlands for bird watching
• See alpacas and llamas
• Observe vicuñas at Pampa Cañahuas
• Return to Arequipa by 5:00 PM

Top questions

How long does the Colca Canyon full day tour take?

The tour lasts approximately one full day including travel time from Arequipa.

Is breakfast included in the Colca Canyon day trip?

Yes, breakfast is included during your day trip to Colca Canyon.

Can infants join this tour?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap or ride in a pram or stroller.

Are there any health restrictions for this tour?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Do I need to be physically fit for this tour?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended for participants.

Is public transportation available near Colca Canyon?

Yes, there are public transportation options available nearby.

Will we see Andean condors on this tour?

You have a good chance to see Andean condors at Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint.

What’s included

Your day includes tourist mobility from Arequipa, a professional local guide who shares stories along the way, and a simple breakfast served fresh in one of the villages before exploring viewpoints like Cruz del Cóndor together.