Colca Canyon

Day 1: Arrival in Arequipa 

· Reception and Transfer: 

o Arrival at Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón International Airport (2,560 m.a.s.l.). 

o Reception by the guide and private transfer to the selected hotel (2,335 m.a.s.l.). 

o Short rest and welcome with coca tea to acclimatize to the altitude. 

· City Tour: 

o Visit to the Main Square (Plaza de Armas), surrounded by colonial buildings and the majestic Arequipa Cathedral. 

o Tour of the Santa Catalina Monastery, an impressive colonial citadel with over 400 years of history. 

o Stop at the Yanahuara Viewpoint (2,350 m.a.s.l.), offering views of the Misti Volcano. 

o Visit to the Carmen Alto Viewpoint (2,400 m.a.s.l.), overlooking the Chili Valley and pre-Inca terraces. 

Day 2: Arequipa City Tour 

· Breakfast at the hotel. 

· Sillar Route: 

o Departure to Añashuayco (2,480 m.a.s.l.), a quarry where the famous sillar volcanic stone used in Arequipa’s architecture is extracted. 

o Observation of sculptures carved in sillar and an explanation of the extraction process. 

o Visit to Culebrillas (2,500 m.a.s.l.), a narrow canyon with ancient petroglyphs. 

· Visit to Mundo Alpaca: 

o Tour of this tourist and ecological center where you can learn about the breeding of alpacas and llamas. 

o Observation of the transformation process of alpaca fiber into high-quality garments, as well as interaction with these animals. 

o Free time to visit the alpaca textile boutique. 

· Free Afternoon (suggestions): 

o Visit the Museum of Andean Sanctuaries, where the Juanita Mummy is exhibited. 

o Explore the Founder’s Mansion (2,300 m.a.s.l.) and the Sabandía Mill (2,350 m.a.s.l.). 

o Shopping at San Camilo Market, one of the oldest markets in Arequipa. 

· Overnight stay at the selected hotel. 

Day 3: Colca Canyon Tour – Day 1 

· Hotel pick-up at 7:30 a.m. 

o Transfer from Arequipa to the Colca Valley. 

· Stops along the route: 

o Stop at Pampa Cañahuas (3,800 m.a.s.l.), a natural reserve where vicuñas can be seen. 

o Passing through Tojra (4,000 m.a.s.l.), home to high Andean bird species. 

o Stop at the Volcanoes Viewpoint (4,910 m.a.s.l.), offering views of Ampato (6,288 m.a.s.l.), Sabancaya (5,976 m.a.s.l.), and Hualca Hualca (6,025 m.a.s.l.) volcanoes. 

· Buffet lunch in Chivay (included). 

o Chivay is located at 3,635 m.a.s.l. 

· Check-in at the hotel. 

· Visit to the Hot Springs: 

o Visit to La Calera Hot Springs (3,600 m.a.s.l.) to enjoy the thermal waters with medicinal properties. 

o Optional walk around the valley to admire the pre-Inca agricultural terraces. 

· Dinner at the traveler’s expense. 

Day 4: Visit to the Cruz del Cóndor and Return to Arequipa 

· Early Morning: 

o Breakfast at the hotel. 

o Departure to the Cruz del Cóndor Viewpoint (3,800 m.a.s.l.), where the Andean condor can be observed in flight. 

· Cultural Visit: 

o Stop at the Antahuilque Viewpoint (3,750 m.a.s.l.), offering views of pre-Inca terraces. 

o Visit to Choquetico (3,700 m.a.s.l.), featuring archaeological remains and hanging tombs. 

o Stops in the villages of Pinchollo (3,650 m.a.s.l.), Maca (3,350 m.a.s.l.), and Yanque (3,450 m.a.s.l.), where colonial churches and amphitheaters can be visited. 

o Observation of hanging tombs and litho-models. 

· Buffet lunch in Chivay. 

· Return to Arequipa: 

o Stops along the route to enjoy highland landscapes and wildlife. 

o Arrival in Arequipa in the afternoon and transfer to the hotel. 

Day 5: Free Morning and Airport Transfer 

· Breakfast at the hotel. 

· Check-out and transfer to the airport.