Condors and vicuñas, plus real altitude. This Colca Canyon Plus trip packs wild-animal spotting in Salinas y Aguada Blanca and big views at Cruz del Cóndor. I also like how the schedule mixes high plains, Inca-era-looking terracing, and small-town culture. One thing to flag up front, the Mirador Cruz del Cóndor entrance fee is not included.

What really sold me is the pacing. You’re out early, you get viewpoints with time to breathe and take photos, and you finish with a hotel night in Chivay instead of just doing a long drive and rushing out. Reviews also put a spotlight on guides like Antonio San Cristobal and a driver named Derly, plus a cheerful Mayan guide who kept the mood up while explaining what you’re seeing.

Colca Canyon Plus Key Highlights (What You’ll Remember)

• Vicuñas in their natural habitat, spotted around 4,000m in Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve
• The Abra Patapampa to Pata Pampa loop, hitting up to 4,910m for wide Andes views
• Coporaque at 3,651m, with hands-on activities at La Casa de Mamayacchi
• Cruz del Cóndor sunrise viewing, plus a short canyon walk for better condor chances
• Small group size (max 14), which helps you actually hear your guide and ask questions

Two Days From Arequipa, Built Around Altitude and Animals

This is a classic two-day Colca Canyon outing, but it’s more than a “see one viewpoint” day trip. You start in the Arequipa region with volcanic scenery, you climb into the high Andean plains, and you spend day two where the canyon’s thermals can bring Andean condors into view.

It’s also altitude-forward. You’ll be around 4,000m on the reserve day, then higher at Abra Patapampa and the Pata Pampa viewpoint (up to 4,910m). By the time you reach Coporaque and later Chivay, you’re down around the mid-3,000s meters. That up-and-down rhythm matters, because it affects how quickly you’ll feel the altitude and how much you’ll want to walk.

Day 1: Salinas y Aguada Blanca Reserve for Vicuñas and Volcano Views

Day one starts with mountain views before you even hit the reserve. You’ll get major look-down energy on volcanoes like Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu as you head toward Pampa Cañahuas, part of Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve.

Then comes the part most people come for: spotting wild vicuñas. The tour keeps the timing patient, with multiple vehicle stops so you can actually see the animals in their habitat, not just a quick drive-by. You’ll be about 4,000m at this point, so bring your “slow and steady” mindset. Enjoy the scenery and give your body time between photo stops.

A nice bonus here is the detour to the Puruña stone forest. It’s a quick switch from animal spotting and open plains into a zone of striking rock formations. Even if you’re not sure what you’re looking at at first, the panoramic viewpoints help you understand the area.

Abra Patapampa and Pata Pampa: The 4,910m Viewpoint Stretch

After the reserve, the tour moves onto Abra Patapampa and the high plains around Tocra, which sits above 4,400m. This is where you’ll notice the wetland side of the altiplano, with lakes, wetlands, and wild birds. If you’re the type who likes detail shots, this is a strong segment for that.

The high point of the tour is Pata Pampa, also called the Viewpoint of the Andes, at 4,910m. From here, you’re set up for long-range views and a clear look at multiple volcanoes, including Ampato, Sabancaya, Hualca-Hualca, and Mismi, plus the Cordillera de Chila.

This is also the moment when the tour’s timing pays off. You’re not rushed through the top. You get about an hour at the viewpoint to take in the range of mountains and plains, and to get your bearings before moving back down toward Coporaque.

Coporaque at 3,651m: La Casa de Mamayacchi and Thermal Baths

As you come closer to the Colca Valley towns, you get the terraces setting, including the multicolor view associated with the valley. You’ll do a short visit to Chivay plaza and then head along the right bank toward Coporaque.

In Coporaque, you’ll spend time at the lodge La Casa de Mamayacchi. Lunch is on your own, but you’ll get free time here, and the lodge is the base for several culture-focused activities. With your guide, you can learn how to prepare a typical dish and you can try on traditional costumes from the Colca Valley.

There’s also an optional town walk through Coporaque and the surrounding areas, about 1.5 hours. The key point is optionality based on how you’re feeling with altitude. If you feel great, it’s a chance to move at a human pace and look closely at everyday life. If you feel even a little winded, it’s smart to skip it and save your energy for the next day’s viewpoint work.

One more practical treat: thermal baths in town. This is request-based, and the tour can provide transport. It’s a good way to reset after a day that climbs high and moves a lot.

Finally, you return to your hotel in Chivay, where you’ll have an overnight stay in a double or twin room.

Day 2 Sunrise at Cruz del Cóndor, Plus the Short Canyon Walk

Day two begins early with breakfast and then a drive to the famous Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint. The whole goal is condor viewing, timed around when the canyon atmosphere can help birds glide. You’ll get time at the viewpoint for canyon views and photos, then your guide will take you for a short walk near the canyon, about one hour.

That walk is worth it because it’s your chance to change angles and improve your chances of seeing condors in motion. If you only stand in one spot, you’ll miss some angles when birds shift their flight path.

Before you return to Chivay, you also visit:

• Pinchollo for a traditional village stop and scenic views
• Antahuilque viewpoint, where you can see 1,500-year-old terraces
• Choquetico look-out, plus a litomaqueta model of canyon terraces carved in rock

These additions matter because they explain the canyon beyond just dramatic cliffs. You’re connecting the dots between farming terraces, village life, and the geology that makes the canyon work.

Colca Canyon Town Stops, Maca and Yanque, Then Back to Arequipa

After the condor portion, the tour keeps moving through more traditional towns. You’ll pass through Maca and Yanque, then arrive in Chivay around midday.

This is the part where the schedule turns flexible: you get free time for lunch in Chivay, and lunch is not included. After lunch, you head back to Arequipa, arriving around 16:00 (4:00 PM) and getting transferred to your hotel.

There’s also an optional service offered: transfer from Chivay to Puno on Lake Titicaca if you want to keep traveling north later. It’s something you’d need to request, since it’s not built into the standard itinerary.

Price and Value: What $103.85 Really Buys You

At $103.85 per person, the value here is in what’s included, not just the ticket number. The tour includes:

• breakfast
• tourist transportation
• a professional guide
• hotel in Chivay (double or twin room)

That combination is a big deal in the Colca region, because the drives are long and altitude slows you down. You’re paying for a full two-day structure, not piecemeal transport between scattered viewpoints.

Your main extra cost is the entrance fee at Mirador Cruz del Cóndor, listed as $22.00 per person. Lunch and dinner are also not included, so plan on spending for meals on your own during the free-time windows.

If you add all of that up, the total cost still tends to feel reasonable given the overnight stay and the number of viewpoint and town stops. The key is having the extra cash ready for the condor entrance and bringing a plan for lunch.

Hotel, Group Size, and Why Organization Matters at Altitude

This is capped at 14 travelers, which I like for a trip like this. Smaller groups mean less noise at stops, and it’s easier to keep everyone together when altitude affects walking pace. It also helps if you have questions because your guide can actually respond instead of repeating the same answer for 30 people.

The overnight in Chivay also improves the experience. Instead of cramming everything into one nonstop day, you get an in-between break with a hotel room. That matters on day one, which climbs to very high points like Pata Pampa.

The best quality control signal comes from the way guides were described in feedback, including Antonio San Cristobal delivering clear explanations, with Derly as a friendly, professional driver. That kind of team setup helps when you’re dealing with early starts and tight timing between viewpoints.

Who This Tour Fits Best, and Who Should Consider Alternatives

This tour works best if you want a packed two-day intro to Colca Canyon that balances nature, culture, and viewpoints. It’s a good choice for people who enjoy photos but also like short, structured walking moments.

It’s also a fit if you want a guide who can interpret what you’re seeing while you’re moving between very different elevations. The optional walk in Coporaque is a nice safety valve for altitude comfort.

You might want to think twice if:

• you hate early mornings, since day two starts right after breakfast for the Cruz del Cóndor timing
• you’re sensitive to altitude, because you’ll reach 4,910m at the Pata Pampa viewpoint and you should be ready to go slow
• you’re on a strict budget, since the Cruz del Cóndor entrance fee and meals are extra

Should You Book Colca Canyon Plus?

If you want your Colca Canyon trip to feel complete in just two days, I think this one is a strong bet. You get vicuña spotting in Salinas y Aguada Blanca, big panoramic payoff at Abra Patapampa and Pata Pampa, culture time in Coporaque at La Casa de Mamayacchi, and then the condor-focused experience at Cruz del Cóndor with a short canyon walk.

Book it if you like a schedule that actually builds in time to look, not just drive-by stops. Skip it if you prefer a slower, more independent pace, or if paying the extra Mirador entrance fee and handling lunch on your own would stress your budget.

FAQ

How long is the Colca Canyon Plus tour?

It’s listed as approximately 2 days.

What’s included in the price of $103.85 per person?

Breakfast, tourist transportation, a professional guide, and hotel are included.

What costs extra during the tour?

Lunch and dinner are not included. Also, the entrance fee for Mirador Cruz del Cóndor is $22.00 per person.

Where does the tour operate?

It’s based in Arequipa, Peru, with drives to Colca Canyon areas such as Chivay and the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint. You also get transfer back to your hotel in Arequipa.

What time do you return to Arequipa on day 2?

The tour arrives in Arequipa around 16:00 (4:00 PM) and transfers you to your hotel.

What are the group size limits?

The maximum group size is 14 travelers.

How soon can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 3 days in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 3 full days before the experience starts, the amount paid is not refunded.