Itinerary – Colca Canyon 2 Day Trek

The Best spectacular Andean canyon in Peru 2 days: Trek is an exciting adventure designed for travelers with a moderate level of fitness and some trekking experience. If you prefer a more leisurely pace with extra time to enjoy the scenery, we also recommend our 3 Day Colca Canyon Trek. tour machupicchu

On the first day, you’ll hike for approximately 7 hours, descending into and climbing through one of the world’s deepest canyons. Along the way, you’ll stop for a one-hour lunch break and take in spectacular mountain landscapes, traditional villages, and impressive viewpoints.

The second day starts before sunrise, allowing you to complete the final 3-hour ascent in the cool morning air. Reaching the top is a rewarding achievement, offering unforgettable panoramic views of the Colca Valley.

This trek combines adventure, culture, and nature, making it one of the best hiking experiences in southern Peru. Before booking, we invite you to read our guest reviews and discover why so many travelers choose this unforgettable journey.

Day 1: Journey into Colca Canyon

Your adventure begins early, with pickup from your accommodation in Arequipa between 3:00 and 3:30 AM. From there, we travel for approximately three hours to Chivay, where you can enjoy a simple but energizing breakfast including bread, butter, jam, tea, coffee, and traditional mate.

After breakfast, we continue to the famous Condor Cross viewpoint, where you will have around 45 minutes to admire the breathtaking depth of the Colca Canyon and, if you’re lucky, watch the majestic Andean condors soaring overhead. raimbow mountain

From here, we drive a short distance to San Miguel (3,300 m), the starting point of the trek. The hike begins with a descent into the canyon toward the village of San Juan de Chuccho, where you will enjoy a freshly prepared lunch featuring vegetable soup, rice, potatoes, and alpaca meat. A vegetarian option is also available.

In the afternoon, the trail continues through the villages of Cosñirhua and Malata, offering incredible views of traditional Andean life and dramatic canyon landscapes. By late afternoon, you will reach Sangalle (1,900 m), also known as the Oasis and the lowest point of the trek. trips sandoval lake 

Here, you can relax in natural spring-fed pools before enjoying a simple dinner of soup, pasta, and tea. You will spend the night in shared bamboo bungalows surrounded by the peaceful canyon environment.

Day 2: Ascent to Cabanaconde and Return Journey

The second day begins early at around 5:00 AM, when you start the challenging ascent out of the canyon toward Cabanaconde. After approximately three hours of uphill trekking, you will arrive in the village, where a light breakfast of bread, jam, butter, tea, coffee, and mate will be served.

After breakfast, we begin the journey back toward Chivay, stopping along the way to explore ancient pre-Inca and Inca agricultural terraces, as well as scenic viewpoints and traditional colonial villages.
One of the highlights of the day is a visit to the Yanque hot springs, where you can relax in naturally heated volcanic

waters for about one hour—perfect for recovering after the trek. tour al manu
We then continue to Chivay for lunch at a local restaurant, before beginning the return drive to Arequipa. Along the route, we descend from 4,830 meters to 2,325 meters, passing through the stunning landscapes of the Aguada

Blanca and Salinas National Reserve and the Pampa Cañahuas.
This protected area is home to South America’s iconic camelids: alpacas, llamas, vicuñas, and guanacos, which you may spot along the way.

Arrival in Arequipa is expected at approximately 5:30 PM, marking the end of your unforgettable Colca Canyon adventure.