Colca Canyon Trek: 2 Day Hike & Oasis Stay from Arequipa

Summary

Hiking Colca Canyon’s wild trails, condors overhead, oasis below

You’ll hike deep into Colca Canyon from Arequipa with a local guide, spot condors soaring above Cruz del Condor, rest overnight in Sangalle’s lush oasis, and share meals along the way. Expect tired legs but big views — plus those small moments when silence or laughter makes everything feel real.

What’s the experience like?

We rolled out of Arequipa before sunrise — still half-asleep, clutching instant coffee in the van. The road twisted through chilly highlands toward Chivay, and I kept blinking at the colors outside: dusty gold hills, then sudden green terraces. Fabian, our guide, started telling stories about the valley’s old villages — he’d point out tiny stone houses that looked like they’d been there forever. Somewhere near Cruz del Condor, we stopped and just waited quietly. Then these huge birds floated up from nowhere — honestly bigger than I expected. Everyone went quiet except for one woman who whispered “whoa” under her breath.

The real work started after that. We hit the trail and it felt steeper than I’d pictured (my knees definitely noticed). The canyon air was dry but smelled faintly sweet — maybe eucalyptus? Fabian kept pace with us, sometimes switching to Spanish to joke with some locals passing by with donkeys. There were moments where you could only hear sandals scraping gravel or someone’s water bottle sloshing around. At one point I tried saying “gracias” to a farmer and totally messed up my accent; he grinned anyway.

Reaching Sangalle Oasis late afternoon was almost surreal — palms everywhere and this weird hush after all the wind up top. Dinner tasted better than it probably was (hunger does that), and everyone swapped stories over plastic cups of tea. I lay awake for a while listening to frogs and thinking about how far down we’d come — you really feel it in your legs the next morning climbing out again. Still, something about that quiet under the stars sticks with me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arequipa to Oasis de Sangalle trek

• Depart from Arequipa
• Travel to Chivay
• Visit Cruz del Condor
• Start trekking
• Hike to San Juan
• Continue to Oasis de Sangalle

Top questions

How difficult is the 2 day Colca Canyon trek?

This trek requires a high level of physical fitness due to steep descents and climbs; not recommended for travelers with health issues.

Is lunch included during the Colca Canyon hike?

Yes, lunch is included along with dinner during your trek.

Are guides English-speaking on this tour?

Guides speak both English and Spanish throughout the trip.

Does this tour include pickup from Arequipa?

Yes, transportation from Arequipa to the trekking start point is included.

Where do you sleep during the trek?

You’ll stay overnight at Sangalle Oasis inside Colca Canyon.

Can pregnant travelers join this Colca Canyon tour?

No, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers due to physical demands.

How long is the drive from Arequipa to Chivay?

The drive typically takes several hours through mountain roads before reaching Chivay.

What’s included

Your journey includes pickup in Arequipa, transfer to the start of trekking near Chivay, an English- or Spanish-speaking guide throughout both days, lunch and dinner during your hike, an overnight stay in Sangalle Oasis, and return transportation back to Arequipa after climbing out of Colca Canyon.