First day:
Around 8:00 am, your guide (English/Spanish speaking) and your driver will come to your hotel downtown in Arequipa.
THE ALTIPLANO: On the way to the Colca Canyon and Valley, you will first stop at the National Reserve "Salinas and Aguada Blanca". You will be able to approach some vicunas, llamas, and alpacas and take nice pictures with a splendid volcanic background. You will make another stop at the Volcanoes' Mirador, 4910 meters above sea level (16108 ft.). The view on volcanoes and surroundings summits is impressive (if you want to ascent a volcano, click here). Don’t hesitate to drink coca tea to reduce potential headaches related to the altitude. Then you will arrive in Chivay, capital of Colca located at 3600 meters above sea level (11811 ft.). Lunch on site (not included).
During the afternoon, you will be able to visit the hot springs baths of Chivay or Yanque (entrance fee of 15 soles not included). You will enjoy the magnificent view of the Colca from these outdoor pools. Then, you will be transferred to your hotel in Yanque. Dinner (not included) and overnight stay.
If you want to make a trek to the splendid Chimpa’s Fortress, click here.
Second day:
THE CROSS OF CONDOR: Breakfast very early before taking our bus heading to the "Cross of Condor". This mirador overlooking the second deepest canyon in the world is the ideal place to enjoy the flight of the condor in the morning. Same as Machu Picchu, Colca Canyon is a place to see during a trip in Peru!
PRE-INCA TERRACES: Going back to your hotel in Yanque, you will make some stops to enjoy the thousands of "andenes" (pre-Inca terraces) and you will discover the Plaza de Armas of Maca. Arrival at your hotel around 11:30 am. Lunch (not included).
THE HORSEBACK RIDE: Around 2:00 pm, our beautiful Peruvian Paso Horses and our equestrian guide come pick you up for a ride of 3 hours. You will cross the main square of Yanque then you will go over the Cervantes bridge which overhangs the Colca River. The horses will bring you to the bottom of the hill. Short walk to the top where is located a collagua cemetery (pre-Inca period). You will discover the impressive skulls deformations made at the time. Returning to your hotel, you will cross the Coporaque's Plaza de Armas, and then you’ll see crops on pre-Inca terraces. You will pass over the Sifon bridge leading to Yanque and have a stunning view of the famous "Colca" (cavities dug in the cliff). Arrival at your hotel. Dinner in Yanque (not included) and overnight stay.
Third day:
THE SECOND HORSEBACK RIDE: At 7:45 am, our equestrian guide and our Peruvian Paso horses will pick you up at the hotel. You will cross the Colca River and continue the horse ride to go to the ruins of Uyo-Uyo. This small abandoned village was the Colca's capital. We will look at the ancient houses, the irrigation system and discover the numerous proofs of coexistence between Collagua and Inca cultures. Return to your hotel around 11:00 am. Lunch in Yanque (not included) and tranfer to Chivay to take your local bus to Arequipa where you will arrive around 6:00 pm. If you plan to continue your trip to the Titicaca’s Lake, it's possible to take a bus from Chivay to Puno and so avoid returning to Arequipa (we can book you a ticket and make the coordination with our driver).
We can also organize you several days entirely dedicated to horseback riding (5 to 6 hours of horse riding a day), feel free to ask us.
