Arequipa & colca Canyon 4 Days / 3 Nights
The Arequipa and Colca Canyon 4 Days 3 Nights offers the perfect opportunity to explore southern Peru’s stunning highlands. Experience the beauty of Arequipa, known as the “White City,” with its charming colonial architecture. Enjoy a scenic journey to the Colca Canyon, where you’ll witness the impressive Andean condors soaring above the world’s second-deepest gorge.
This tour also allows you to hike at the base of a volcano, immerse yourself in local culture, and take in breathtaking views of Colca Valley. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or adventure seeker, this tour promises unforgettable memories in one of Peru’s most scenic regions.
Overview
This unforgettable tour package combines the beauty of Arequipa with the stunning Colca Canyon. Highlights include:
- Explore Arequipa: Discover the city’s rich colonial heritage and architectural beauty, known as the “White City.”
- Savor Andean Flavors: Experience the unique taste of the region’s local cuisine, showcasing traditional Andean ingredients.
- Breathtaking Landscapes: Enjoy the vast, scenic views of the surrounding highlands and valleys, creating a picturesque backdrop.
- Witness Andean Condors: Marvel at the sight of giant condors soaring above the Colca Canyon, one of the world’s deepest gorges.
This tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural wonders for an unforgettable experience in southern Peru.
Itinerary
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Arequipa & City Tour.
Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by your tour manager or guide, who will accompany you to your hotel in Arequipa. After checking in, your tour manager will provide an informative briefing about the exciting journey ahead in this fascinating city.
In the afternoon, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin your exploration of Arequipa. First, we will head to Carmen Alto Viewpoint, where you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the pre-Incan terraces that once played a crucial role in the region’s agricultural development. Your guide will share the rich history of these sites, bringing the past to life.
Next, we’ll visit the charming Yanahuara District, famous for its beautiful arcades made of fine ashlars and the historic Church of San Juan Bautista. Afterward, we will explore the Santa Catalina Monastery, a vast and impressive complex founded in 1579. Inside, you’ll see an incredible collection of artwork, including paintings, sculptures, and religious artifacts.
Our tour continues with a visit to the Basilica of Arequipa, a stunning example of neoclassical architecture located next to the main square. From there, we’ll stop by the Church of Compañía de Jesús, with its ornate baroque style, and the impressive dome of San Ignacio. After a full day of exploration, we will return to your hotel for a relaxing evening.
- Overnight in Arequipa.
- Meal Include: None.
- Entrance Ticket: Included.
Day 2: Arequipa – Colca Valley.
After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we embark on a scenic journey to the Colca Valley, driving through the foothills of the Chachani Volcano. Along the way, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the towering Misti and Picchu Picchu Volcanoes, iconic landmarks of the region. As we ascend, we enter the Pampa Cañahuas vicuña reserve, where you’ll have the chance to spot vicuñas—wild, graceful animals that roam freely across the high-altitude plains of the Andes. The area is also known for its breathtaking landscapes and distinctive Andean flora.
We’ll continue our journey through charming, remote villages, each offering a glimpse of traditional life in the Andes. You’ll have the opportunity to observe the unique architecture and local culture that define the Colca Valley region.
A leisurely stop will be made for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, offering a taste of the region’s flavors. After lunch, we proceed to our hotel in the Colca Valley, where you’ll have a free afternoon to relax and take in the surrounding beauty. You may choose to unwind at the hotel or enjoy an optional visit to the nearby thermal baths, a perfect way to relax after a day of sightseeing.
Overnight stay in Colca Valley, surrounded by stunning natural beauty.
- Overnight in Chivay.
- Meal Include: None.
- Entrance Ticket: Included.
Day 3: Colca Valley – Cruz del Condor – Arequipa.
We begin the day early with a visit to the Condor Cross viewpoint, where you’ll witness the awe-inspiring flight of the Andean condors—majestic birds that are a symbol of the Andes and now endangered. From this vantage point, you’ll also be able to appreciate the immense depth of the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, offering a truly breathtaking sight.
Next, we will visit the picturesque towns of Maca and Yanque, both known for their well-preserved colonial churches and traditional architecture, offering a glimpse into the region’s rich cultural heritage.
After a delicious lunch, we begin our scenic drive back to Arequipa. The journey takes approximately 5 hours, offering more stunning landscapes along the way. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel for a relaxing evening.
Overnight stay in Arequipa, where you can unwind after an unforgettable day.
- Overnight in Arequipa.
- Meal Include: None.
- Entrance Ticket: Included.
Day 4: Arequipa.
In the morning, enjoy a relaxing breakfast before having the rest of the day free to explore Arequipa further. In the afternoon, you have several options to continue your journey: you can catch a flight to Lima, travel overland to Puno to visit Lake Titicaca, or choose to stay an additional night in Arequipa and fly to Cusco the following morning.
Whichever option you choose, your journey through southern Peru continues with new adventures ahead.
- Meal Include: Breakfast.
- Entrance Ticket: None.
Inclusions
Includes:
- All transfers as per the itinerary.
- Entrance tickets to all attractions.
- Accommodation in double or triple rooms.
- Meals as specified in the itinerary.
- 2 nights in Arequipa.
- 1 night in Chivay.
- First-class bus Arequipa/Colca Valley.
- City tour in Arequipa (Santa Catalina Monastery included).
- Colca Canyon tour.
- English/Spanish-speaking professional guides.
- Optional visit to thermal baths in Colca Valley.
- Additional nights in Arequipa (upon request).
- Overland transfer to Puno or flight to Cusco (optional).
Not Included:
- International round-trip airfare to and from Peru.
- Airport taxes.
- Travel insurance.
- Personal expenses.
- Optional excursions or activities not listed in the itinerary.
- Visas or entry fees for countries other than Peru.
- Tips and gratuities for the guide and support staff.
What do you need Bring:
To ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable trip, please make sure to bring the following essentials:
- Passport.
- Travel insurance.
- Comfortable backpack to carry your essentials.
- Phone, camera, and chargers.
- Camera.
- Torch or headlamp for evening activities.
- DEET-based mosquito repellent (recommended 30% DEET).
- Rain gear.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Reusable water bottle or canteen.
- American dollars and Peruvian soles in cash.
- Sun hat or cap for sun protection.
- Toilet paper and facial tissues.
- Personal hygiene items (e.g., hand sanitizer, wipes).
- Comfortable shoes for walking or hiking.
- Light, breathable clothing for warm weather and warmer layers for cooler evenings.
- Medications or personal health items.
- Extra plastic bags for storing wet or dirty clothes.
Prices
This tour is available every day of the week, with departures on any day. Prices are based on shared group tours. Please note that the prices are valid from March 2025 through January 2026. All prices are quoted in USD.
Price: $399USD Per person
* Pricing per person based on double occupancy.
Terms & Conditions
By booking or participating in a tour and any related products or services (a “Tour”) with Cusco Journeys, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.
Booking:
- Your booking is confirmed and a contract exists when the Tour Operator or your travel agent issues a written confirmation after receipt of the applicable deposit amount. Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to the Tour Operator or authorized agent immediately. Please ensure that names are exactly as stated in the relevant passport.
- You will pay a deposit which is completely non-refundable in any situation. There are no exceptions.
- You will be required to show the original passport (not a copy) that you booked with, at the checkpoint to enter the Inca Trail. If you originally booked with an old passport and then renewed your passport, you must also bring your expired passport along with your new, valid passport to permit entry or they will refuse your entrance to the trail.
- The only acceptable ID to receive a Student Discount is your University Card with a clear expiration date that must be the same year as trek. IDs with expiry dates the following year, even though clearly valid, will not be accepted by the Peruvian government. You must submit a copy of this card at time of booking.
Cancellations:
- Cancellations: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 40% is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing (we do not accept medical notes of any kind) as our out of pocket expenses are non-refundable to us.. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
ONCE BOOKED, DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. CHART BELOW OUTLINES WHAT FURTHER FEES WILL BE DUE.
Cancellation By |
Terms |
91 days or more before departure | we will retain 50% of your deposit. |
90 – 30 days before departure | we will retain 75% of the total tour cost. |
29 – 0 days before departure | we will retain 100% of the total tour cost. |
Inca Trail Tours:
- Permits: Permits for the Inca Trail are in your name and can not be transferred to anyone else under any circumstances. Change of dates is also not possible once a permit has been purchased. Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. The deposit will be forfeited. Please note that this is a regulation of the Peruvian government and not Cusco Journeys (or any agency).
- In extreme cases when the “Inca Trail to Machu Picchu” is declared closed for safety reasons, Cusco Journeys will replace your trek with an alternative trek.
- Those who booked PERMITS with a Student ID must bring that ID with them on the trek. If they fail to show this card to the Park Rangers, they will not be allowed entry onto the trail.
Medical Information:
- You must advise Cusco Journeys of any medical problems or allergies you may have. You need to be in good physical health, and if your health is questionable, then you should consult a doctor. If you are over the age of 70 years old, then you will need to present us with a current good health medical certificate.
- You are responsible for assessing whether a Tour is suitable for you. You should consult your physician to confirm your fitness for travel and participation in any planned activities. You should seek your physician’s advice on vaccinations and medical precautions. The Tour Operator does not provide medical advice. It is your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the Tour based on your own unique circumstances, limitations, fitness level and medical requirements.
- Cusco Journeys reserves the right to deny you permission to travel or participate in any aspect of a Tour at any time and at your own risk and expense where the Tour Operator determines that your physical or mental condition renders you unfit for travel or you represent a danger to yourself or others.
- Pregnancy is considered a medical condition and must be disclosed to the Tour Operator at the time of booking. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry pregnant women over 24 weeks. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry anyone with certain medical conditions if reasonable accommodation or alternatives cannot be arranged.
- It is strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance to protect you in case of medical emergency or any tour cancellations.
Tours and Treks:
- All balances need to be paid in either cash, Western Union, Transfer Bank or PayPal (in full) prior to the briefing which will be held the night before your tour. Visa incurs a 5% service fee and if you need to use another card, it must be through PayPal which incurs a 5.5% service fee.
You must advise your guide if you wish to leave the group or the camping area for independent walks or sightseeing. If you are experiencing any problems with the services of the guide or tour, please advise the guide in that moment, so that he can resolve any problems. - All Adventure Treks include transportation to Cusco. The return train route depends on train availability.
- If you become ill or injured on the trail and are unable to continue, a porter will be provided to accompany you back to an area with emergency assistance capabilities. Helicopter air lifts and medical assistance are at the expense of the trekker. If you are unable to complete the tour due to illness, we will assist you in meeting your group at Machu Picchu to recommence your tour at that point. There will be no refund of the original payment. However, we will prepare a document to certify illness which can be presented for your travel insurance.
- Cusco Journeys will take all reasonable care in providing to our clients avoidance of accident, illness, and loss of personal property, and will only employ suitably qualified staff. We accept responsibility for the actions of our own employees. Cusco Journeys cannot, however, be responsible for any action of third parties. You are totally responsible for your own personal property and rented equipment.
- Cusco Journeys does not take responsibility for unfavorable weather conditions, natural catastrophe, strikes, accidents, illness, injury, loss of personal ítems, etc. It is the client’s responsibility to carry insurance to cover these types of events. We reserve the right to modify or cancel the program due to any of the unforeseen conditions listed above.
- Cusco Journeys may modify your itinerary where reasonably required in its sole discretion.
- Group tours might be as large as 16 participants. Groups are open to everyone no matter skill or age. By accepting a Group Tour you acknowledge that others might change the speed and timing of the tour.
- All tours are done in English.
Delays:
- Any costs, whether direct or incidental, incurred by the Customer as the result of delays caused by bad weather, trail conditions, river levels, road conditions, transportation delays, sickness, government intervention or other contingencies which are beyond the control of southern explorations will not be reimbursed.
Thank you so much for choosing Cusco Journeys!!!