From Arequipa: Tour Colca Canyon 2 Days with End in Puno

The best part of this two-day trip is that it links Colca Canyon and Puno without sending you back to Arequipa. You get the high-altitude drive, vicuñas, alpacas, hot springs, condor views, and a night in Chivay, then continue toward Lake Titicaca.

I like the sensible overnight stop in Chivay and the chance to visit the canyon without rushing back to Arequipa. I also like the small-group limit of 18 and the separate tourist transport to Puno. The main caution is altitude: the route reaches 4,800 meters, and one English-speaking guide received a complaint for doing too much of the explanation in Spanish.

Key points at a glance

• 4,800-meter volcano viewpoint: Stop at the highest point on the road for broad views of the western mountain range.
• Wild vicuñas and free-grazing alpacas: See camelids in Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve and at Toccra Bofedales.
• Chivay overnight: Sleep in a private room, enjoy breakfast, and choose the Chacapi thermal baths.
• Cruz del Cóndor: Spend about 45 minutes at the main Colca Canyon viewpoint, where Andean condors may soar below and above the rim.
• Direct continuation to Puno: Change vehicles in Chivay and reach Puno around 7:30 p.m., avoiding a return to Arequipa.
• Strong value at $95: Transportation, lodging, breakfast, guiding, and the Chivay to Puno transfer are included, but canyon fees, meals, and hot springs cost extra.

Why this route makes sense

Many Colca Canyon trips are built as a round trip from Arequipa. This one uses the canyon as a bridge between two major southern Peru stops. That matters if Puno is next on your route, since you can turn a long transfer day into a sightseeing journey.

The trip costs $95 per person. For that price, you receive hotel pickup in central Arequipa, tourist transportation, a private room in Chivay, breakfast, an English and Spanish guide, sightseeing stops, and transport from Chivay to Puno. You still need to budget for the Colca Canyon entrance, meals, hot springs, and possibly the folklore dinner.

I see this as a practical package rather than a luxury tour. The accommodation is described as simple but sufficient, and one booking found the room cold and gloomy. Another found the hotel better than expected. Your room may be perfectly adequate for one night, but you should not book this expecting a polished resort.

The 18-person maximum keeps the group smaller than a large coach excursion, though it is still large enough that timing and language arrangements matter. Ask at the start how the guide will divide explanations between English and Spanish. The service is advertised in both languages, but one English-speaking customer found the guiding difficult to follow and too heavily weighted toward Spanish.

The early ride from Arequipa to Salinas

Pickup takes place between 7:30 and 8 a.m. at hotels in central Arequipa. The guide asks for you by name at the hotel door. If your lodging is in a remote area, you meet at the Cathedral in the main square instead.

The first stretch leads toward Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve. This is not filler scenery. The reserve protects a high Andean area where vicuñas live, and these wild camelids are one of the most appealing sights on the route. Keep your camera ready, but remember that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

The altitude begins to matter quickly. The tour advises arriving in Arequipa at least one day before this trip to give your body time to adjust. That is sound advice. Eat lightly before departure, carry water, and treat the drive as a high-altitude outing rather than a casual bus ride.

At Patahuasi, you can stop for traditional coca tea. It is commonly offered in the Andes as a way to help with mountain sickness. The tea is part of the local travel routine, but it is not a guaranteed medical fix. If you know you react badly to altitude, plan conservatively and speak with a medical professional before the trip.

Toccra Bofedales and the 4,800-meter stop

The route continues to Toccra Bofedales, wet highland grasslands where alpacas graze freely. The stop gives you a closer look at the working animal life of the high Andes. Alpacas are not only scenic symbols here. They are part of the local rural economy, and seeing them in open pasture gives the journey a more grounded feel.

The most demanding point comes at the Mirador de los Volcanes, 4,800 meters above sea level. This is the highest point on the road and offers views across much of the western mountain range. The stop is brief, but altitude can make even a short walk feel strenuous.

Move slowly, keep warm, and avoid treating the viewpoint like a race. The route description places Chivay about 40 minutes farther on, so this is the last major high point before the group descends toward town. If you are prone to altitude headaches, this is the moment to pay attention to how you feel.

The four-hour journey to Chivay includes these tourist stops. That means the drive is not four uninterrupted hours, but you should still expect a full morning on the road. The schedule works best for someone who enjoys scenic transport and short photo stops, not someone seeking a relaxed morning in Arequipa.

Chivay gives the tour room to breathe

Arrival in Chivay is scheduled for about 12:30 p.m. Lunch is not included, with an optional buffet listed at 40 soles. You can also choose another meal at your own cost. Since the group has a set schedule, do not let lunch stretch too long.

Chivay is the practical base for the canyon visit. It is a town rather than a remote camp, so you have an evening stop with a hotel, dinner options, and access to the hot springs. The included private room is a useful feature at this price, especially for anyone who does not want to share a dormitory.

In the afternoon, you can visit the Chacapi thermal baths. Entry costs 15 soles and is not included. The pools range from 35 to 38 degrees Celsius, making this an appealing way to loosen up after the morning drive.

The hot springs are optional, so you can skip them if you prefer a quiet afternoon or need rest. I like that the schedule gives you a choice. The downside is that the day still includes an early start and high-altitude travel, so you may feel more inclined to sleep than soak.

Dinner is also on your own. A folklore dinner with local dances costs 35 soles. It is a straightforward evening activity, and one booking found the music and dancing fun. You should see it as an add-on for atmosphere, not a required part of the canyon experience.

Cruz del Cóndor and the main canyon view

After breakfast at the hotel, the group drives about 30 minutes to the Mirador de la Cruz del Cóndor. This is the main observation point for Colca Canyon and the trip’s headline sight.

The scheduled viewing time is about 45 minutes. That is enough for a proper look, but it is not an all-morning wait. The attraction is the chance to watch Andean condors riding rising air currents around the canyon. Their appearance depends on conditions and timing, so the tour can provide the viewpoint but cannot promise a particular number of birds.

The stop also puts the scale of Colca into perspective. You are looking into one of the world’s deepest canyons, with steep walls and a broad valley system below. The visit is more about watching, photographing, and taking in the height than about hiking.

That distinction is important. This is not a two-day canyon trek. There is no long descent into the canyon or multi-hour trail included. If you want a walking expedition, this is the wrong format. If you want the famous viewpoint with limited physical effort, it is a better match.

The return route includes several viewpoints over the valley’s agricultural terraces. The Andenería del Valle shows how farming has been shaped to fit the steep terrain. These terraces are one of the more meaningful sights on the trip because they connect the scenery to daily life and food production.

Maca, local drinks, and the return to Chivay

The group also stops in Maca, where you can see the town church. You may have the option to try a local drink such as Colca Sour, made with products from the area. This is a small stop, but it breaks up the return drive and adds a taste of local life beyond the canyon’s big viewpoint.

The exact sequence can change. If bad weather or the group schedule prevents some stops on the first day, the return journey may include them instead. That flexibility is useful, but it also means you should not treat every minute in the printed schedule as fixed.

Lunch in Chivay is scheduled for noon and is not included. Afterward, the trip appears to begin the return toward Arequipa at about 1 p.m., but you do not actually continue to Arequipa. Around 1:30 p.m., you change to another vehicle for the journey to Puno.

This vehicle change is a key practical detail. The first vehicle handles the Colca portion, while the onward service uses tourist transportation with a professional guide and stops along the route to Puno. Keep your bags and personal items close during the change, and confirm which vehicle and guide you are joining.

The long afternoon to Puno

The ride from Chivay to Puno lasts much of the afternoon and reaches Puno around 7:30 p.m. The service ends at Puno’s only bus station, about five minutes by taxi from the city center.

The transfer includes scenic stops and visits to protected natural areas with highland plants and wildlife. Exact attractions are not specified, so you should expect a sightseeing bus ride with stops rather than a carefully timed list of named monuments.

This final leg makes the tour especially useful for route planning. You see Colca Canyon and then continue toward Lake Titicaca City without paying for a separate return to Arequipa and another bus to Puno. The tradeoff is a long second day. After the condor viewpoint, terraces, Maca, lunch, and the vehicle change, you still have several hours on the road.

If you prefer slow travel with plenty of time in each town, this may feel too packed. If you need to move from Arequipa to Puno and want the route to include major sights, it is efficient.

What the $95 price really covers

The headline fare is a good deal because the expensive practical pieces are included:

• Hotel pickup in central Arequipa
• Tourist transportation throughout the tour
• One private room in Chivay
• Breakfast on the second morning
• English and Spanish guiding
• Tourist stops on the Arequipa to Chivay route
• Guided tourist transportation from Chivay to Puno

Your extra costs are predictable:

• Colca Canyon entrance: 70 soles for Europe and the United States, 40 soles for Latin American visitors, or 20 soles for Peruvians
• Chacapi hot springs: 15 soles, optional
• First-day lunch: an optional buffet is listed at 40 soles
• Folklore dinner: 35 soles
• Second-day lunch

The nationality-based canyon charge can change the total value quite a bit. Add meals and optional activities before booking. Even so, the included hotel and direct Puno transfer make the $95 fare attractive for someone already planning this route.

The package is less compelling if you only want a cheap day trip to Colca and will return to Arequipa. In that case, you are paying for the onward transport and overnight stop that you may not need.

Small details that make the trip easier

Pickup works best at hotels in central Arequipa. If you stay outside the central area, use the Cathedral at the main square as your meeting point. The same vehicle is brought as close as possible to the pickup location, with no stated traffic restrictions.

Bring warm clothing even if Arequipa feels mild. The 4,800-meter viewpoint can be cold, and the room in Chivay may not feel especially warm. Comfortable shoes are useful for the viewpoints, but this itinerary does not require a long canyon hike.

Carry some soles for entry fees, meals, drinks, and the hot springs. The package does not include lunch or dinner, and the scheduled stops may offer local purchases. A light breakfast and lunch strategy is wise at altitude.

The cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Arequipa plans depend on weather or altitude adjustment. Check the available starting time before booking, since the activity information asks you to confirm current availability.

Who should book this Colca to Puno trip?

I would choose this tour if you want a practical two-day connection between Arequipa and Puno, prefer viewpoints over strenuous hiking, and like having transportation and lodging arranged in one booking.

It suits first-time visitors who want the classic Colca sights without organizing several separate buses. It also works well for people who value a private room, a hot-spring option, and a direct onward journey.

I would hesitate if you need a fully English-led experience with detailed commentary at every stop. The tour provides English and Spanish guiding, but the balance may vary by guide. The praise for guides is strong, including specific praise for Roy, while one English-language booking found the explanations hard to follow. Ask clearly for English information at the beginning.

I would also think twice if you dislike long road days or want a serious canyon walk. The trip includes plenty of driving, short sightseeing stops, and only limited time at each major viewpoint.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the route to Puno is the main reason you are considering it. The included Chivay hotel, canyon access, highland wildlife stops, Cruz del Cóndor visit, and direct transfer give you a lot for $95.

Skip it if you want luxury accommodation, a quiet pace, or an English-only guiding experience. Arrive in Arequipa at least a day early, prepare for the altitude, budget for the extra fees, and confirm the language arrangement. With those expectations in place, this is a useful, scenic way to make Colca Canyon part of your journey rather than a detour.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts two days. Pickup from central Arequipa is scheduled between 7:30 and 8 a.m. on the first day, and arrival in Puno is scheduled for about 7:30 p.m. on the second day.

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup is included from hotels in central Arequipa. If your hotel is in a remote area, the meeting point is at the door of the Cathedral in Arequipa’s main square.

Where does the tour end in Puno?

The service ends at Puno’s only bus station. The station is about five minutes by taxi from the center of Puno.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. The package includes a private room in tourist accommodation in Chivay and breakfast on the second day.

Are the Colca Canyon entrance and hot springs included?

No. The Colca Canyon entrance costs 70 soles for visitors from Europe and the United States, 40 soles for Latin American visitors, and 20 soles for Peruvians. The Chacapi hot springs cost 15 soles and are optional.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour provides professional guiding in English and Spanish. The group is limited to 18 participants, but the amount of English explanation may vary by guide.