From Arequipa: 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno

Colca Canyon is the star here, but the smart part of this trip is the route: you see one of Peru’s great natural sights while moving from Arequipa to Puno. You get canyon viewpoints, volcano country, colonial towns, local dress, and a chance to watch condors ride the air above Cruz del Condor.

I like the small group of up to 17 people, which should make guided stops easier than on a large coach. I also like the overnight in Chivay, since it breaks up a long transfer and gives you time to soak in Calera’s 35 to 38 Celsius thermal waters. The main drawback is altitude. This is not a good choice if you are already dealing with altitude sickness, and the second day includes a long sightseeing transfer before reaching Puno.

Key points to know before booking

• Colca Canyon is the main event: The tour reaches Cruz del Condor, a prime viewpoint for seeing the canyon and possibly condors in flight.
• It doubles as transport: You visit Colca Canyon while traveling onward from Arequipa to a downtown Puno hotel.
• Calera hot springs are optional: Admission costs S/ 15, and the thermal water ranges from 35 to 38 Celsius.
• The price is not all-inclusive: The $103 cost covers transport, guide, one hotel night, and breakfast, but not canyon admission, lunch, dinner, or hot springs.
• The group stays fairly small: Up to 17 participants travel with an English or Spanish-speaking guide.
• Altitude deserves respect: The tour is not suitable for people with altitude sickness.

Why this Arequipa to Puno route makes sense

Many visitors treat Arequipa, Colca Canyon, and Puno as separate stops. This tour links them in one useful itinerary. You leave your hotel in downtown Arequipa, spend the first day reaching Chivay and seeing the canyon region, then continue to your downtown Puno hotel after the main sights on Day 2.

That makes the tour especially practical if Puno is your next base. You avoid arranging a separate canyon excursion and another long-distance transfer. The tradeoff is that you are following a fixed schedule, not setting your own pace. If you want long walks, quiet viewpoints, or several nights in the Colca area, this two-day option will feel brisk.

The listed price is $103 per person. For that amount, you receive downtown pickup in Arequipa, tourist transport through Colca to Puno, an English or Spanish-speaking guide for two days, one night in a two-star hotel with a private bathroom, breakfast, and downtown drop-off in Puno.

You should budget extra for the Colca Canyon admission fee. It is S/ 70 for foreign citizens, S/ 40 for citizens of Latin American countries, and S/ 20 for Peruvians. Lunch and dinner are also separate, with meal options available from S/ 25 per person. Calera hot springs cost S/ 15 if you choose to go in.

So the real cost is higher than the headline price, but the transport connection gives the tour good value for a visitor who already needs to get from Arequipa to Puno. You are paying for sightseeing along the way rather than simply sitting on a bus.

Day 1: From Arequipa to Chivay

Pickup takes place at your hotel in downtown Arequipa. From there, the route heads into the countryside toward Chivay, the main town used for visits to the Colca region.

The journey is valuable because the scenery changes as you leave the city. You may see high mountain views and Andean scenery, along with llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas. The tour also includes views of volcanoes and stops connected with the region’s colonial towns, traditional clothing, and local folklore.

This is not a private sightseeing car. You travel in shared tourist transport with a group of up to 17 people. That keeps the cost down and gives you a guide to explain the places along the route, but it also means stops and departure times follow the group schedule.

You arrive in Chivay, check into a two-star hotel, and have time for lunch. Lunch is not included, so plan to pay separately. The supplied meal estimate begins at S/ 25 per person, which gives you a useful starting point for your daily budget.

The hotel includes a private bathroom, a welcome convenience after a day on the road. It is a simple overnight rather than a luxury stay, so choose this tour for its route and sightseeing, not for resort comforts.

Calera hot springs: a warm pause in Chivay

After lunch, the group visits Calera hot springs. The water temperature is listed at 35 to 38 Celsius, warm enough for a restorative soak without being excessively hot for most people.

I like this stop because it changes the rhythm of the day. Colca trips involve mountain roads, early sightseeing, and plenty of time looking outward at the scenery. A thermal bath gives you a chance to rest instead of adding another viewpoint to an already full schedule.

Admission is optional and costs S/ 15. If you do not want to bathe, the information provided does not promise an alternative activity, so ask the guide how the group schedule works before you decide. Bring the items you need for a swim and keep your valuables secure, since the tour does not list personal bathing supplies as included.

The hot springs are described as thermal and medicinal waters, but you should still treat the stop as a simple relaxation visit, not medical care. If you feel unwell at altitude, a hot soak may not be the right choice. The tour specifically advises against booking if you have altitude sickness.

You spend the night in Chivay. This overnight matters because the next morning’s main stop is Cruz del Condor, not a return to Arequipa. It also means you do not have to make the entire Colca visit in one exhausting day before continuing to Puno.

Day 2: Cruz del Condor and the canyon viewpoint

Breakfast is included on the second day in Chivay. After breakfast, the group heads to Cruz del Condor, the key sightseeing stop on the tour.

From the viewpoint, you can look into the immense Colca Canyon and watch for Andean condors flying above or around the viewing area. Condor sightings are never guaranteed, so keep your expectations sensible. The canyon view is the reliable reward; the birds are an extra possibility.

A condor can turn a viewpoint into a memorable stop, but this is not a wildlife guarantee or a private birding trip. You may see birds in flight if conditions cooperate, or you may mainly enjoy the scale of the canyon and the surrounding mountains. Give yourself time to look up, not only down into the gorge.

The viewpoint is also the point where the tour’s altitude and early schedule matter most. You may be standing outdoors in high mountain country, with conditions that can feel demanding if you have not adjusted well. Bring warm layers and move at a comfortable pace, though the provided information does not specify exact temperatures or walking distances.

After Cruz del Condor, the route returns toward Chivay. Along the way, the guide makes stops for scenery and local points of interest before lunch. Again, lunch is not included, so keep soles available rather than assuming every meal is covered.

These return stops give the trip more depth than a quick out-and-back to one viewpoint. You get a broader look at the Colca area, including its towns, traditional clothing, folklore, volcano views, and high-country scenery. Still, the day is designed around the transfer to Puno, so the stops are part of a moving itinerary rather than long independent visits.

The ride onward to Puno

After the sightseeing and lunch stop, you board the tourist transport for Puno. Drop-off is included at your hotel in downtown Puno, which is more useful than being left at a general terminal if you have luggage and a fixed booking.

The biggest practical benefit is simple: your canyon visit and intercity transfer are handled together. You do not need to return to Arequipa, collect your bags, and start another journey to Puno.

The drawback is the amount of time spent on the road. Colca Canyon is not a small detour, and the second day combines a morning viewpoint, guided stops, lunch, and the onward journey. You should choose this itinerary because the transfer is useful, not because you expect a slow-paced canyon holiday.

If you are sensitive to long bus rides, ask for the most comfortable seat available when confirming arrangements. The tour information does not promise a particular vehicle layout or seat assignment, so do not assume you will have extra legroom or a guaranteed window.

What the small group changes

The group is limited to 17 participants. That is still a shared tour, but it is a manageable size for a guide-led route with several stops.

A smaller group can make practical moments easier. You are less likely to wait for a large crowd at every stop, and it should be simpler to hear the guide when learning about the towns, costumes, folklore, and natural sights.

The guide speaks English or Spanish. Since no guide names are provided, you should not book expecting a particular person. What matters more is choosing your preferred language when availability is shown and confirming pickup details for your downtown Arequipa hotel.

This kind of tour suits you if you want structure. The guide handles the route, the transport, the overnight arrangement, and the transfer to Puno. It is less suitable if you prefer to choose each stop yourself or stay longer at Cruz del Condor.

Altitude, comfort, and what to budget

Altitude is the most important health concern. The activity is explicitly not suitable for people with altitude sickness. If you are already feeling symptoms, do not treat this as a test of endurance.

The tour information does not give a packing list or medical advice, so keep your preparation practical. Carry water, dress for changing mountain conditions, and have enough local currency for admissions and meals. These suggestions do not replace medical guidance, especially if altitude has caused problems for you before.

Your required extra costs are easy to identify:

• Colca Canyon entry: S/ 70 for foreign citizens
• Colca Canyon entry: S/ 40 for Latin American citizens
• Colca Canyon entry: S/ 20 for Peruvians
• Calera hot springs: S/ 15, optional
• Lunch and dinner: not included, with options from S/ 25 per person

Breakfast on Day 2 is included. The one-night hotel stay includes a private bathroom, but the tour does not describe the property beyond its two-star rating. Keep your expectations basic and focus on having a convenient place to sleep in Chivay.

The cancellation policy is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Peru schedule is still changing, but check the current availability and starting time before committing.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would choose this tour if I had two jobs to do: see Colca Canyon and reach Puno. The route is efficient, the hotel pickup and drop-off reduce logistical work, and the overnight stop makes the journey more comfortable than trying to force the canyon into a single day.

It is also a good fit if you want a guide to explain what you are seeing. The tour includes more than a canyon overlook, with colonial towns, traditional dress, local folklore, volcano views, and the chance to see South American camelids in the countryside.

I would think twice if your main goal is a long, quiet canyon experience. The schedule is built around onward transport, so you will not have unlimited time at each viewpoint. I would also avoid it if you are poorly adjusted to high altitude or dislike long shared rides.

The 4.2 rating from 17 reviews suggests a generally positive but not perfect experience. That fits the nature of the tour: it offers strong sightseeing and useful transport, but the fixed schedule, extra fees, basic hotel, and altitude may not suit everyone.

Should you book the Colca Canyon transfer tour?

Book it if you want to connect Arequipa and Puno while seeing Colca Canyon, and if you are comfortable with a guided schedule and simple overnight accommodation. The best parts are the canyon viewpoint, the possibility of seeing condors, the Calera soak, and the practical downtown-to-downtown transport.

Skip it if you want a private trip, a slow canyon visit, or a luxury hotel. Also skip it if altitude sickness is a concern. For the right person, $103 is a fair starting price because the tour combines transport, guiding, accommodation, breakfast, and sightseeing in one two-day plan. Just add the entry fees and meals before comparing the total with other options.

FAQ

How long is the Colca Canyon tour?

The activity lasts two days. It begins with pickup at a downtown Arequipa hotel and ends with drop-off at a downtown Puno hotel.

Is transportation from Arequipa to Puno included?

Yes. Tourist transportation from Arequipa through Colca Canyon to Puno is included.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup is provided from your hotel in downtown Arequipa, and drop-off is provided at your hotel in downtown Puno.

What is included in the overnight stay?

The tour includes one night in a two-star hotel in Chivay with a private bathroom. Breakfast on the second day is also included.

How much is the Colca Canyon entrance fee?

The fee is S/ 70 for foreign citizens, S/ 40 for citizens of Latin American countries, and S/ 20 for Peruvians.

Are the Calera hot springs included?

No. The hot springs are optional, and admission costs S/ 15.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The live guide speaks English or Spanish.