OVERVIEW

The cotahuasi canyon is 12000 feet  deep and the grand canyon is 6000 feet deep. Welcome to the one of the deepest canyon in the world.

Explore on a private 4x4 expedition to discover whether Cotahuasi Canyon is deeper than Colca Canyon. We also visit the Valley of the Volcanoes, home to over 80 small volcanic cones and a 150-meter waterfall. Explore pre-Inca terraces and pristine nature.

On this tour, we will hike to the summit of one of the small volcanoes to admire its perfect dome shape.

This trip is a paradise for photographers and hikers, featuring off-the-beaten-path excursions. We will explore the Majes Valley and pass very close to the deepest section of Colca Canyon.

We will visit the Toromuerto petroglyphs, a site featuring over 5,000 rock carvings set in the heart of the desert—an expanse that serves as an extension of the Atacama Desert.

Truly a journey off the beaten path.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY:  Easy
DURATION:  4 days
MAXIMUM ROAD ELEVATION : 4700msnm

We leave Arequipa at 5 am to start the 380 km ride in our 4x4 truck, heading in the direction of “petroglifos de toro muerto” which is located in the Corire district, about 3 hours from Arequipa. This is where there are around 5000 stones with engravings to be seen. These engravings are dated between 700 and 800 a.Chr. which the Wari culture is.

An excursion to this place will be done to explore the numerous stones and rocks with their different meanings.

Continuing to the Valley of Majes, we will be passing by rice cultivations and vineyards of this region. This is how we pass the village of Chuquibamba, which is known for its cheese and avocado.

After we have passed Chuquibamba, we will enter an area of 4700m.o.w.l where there is an amazing view over the snowy Coropuna (6425m.ow.l).

Just behind the lagoon of Pallarcocha starts a magnificent landscape that is representative for the south Peruvian Andes. It is important to say that the snowy Coropuna is the highest volcano of Peru. For the old Incas, it used to be an “apu” the most important holy mountain in the south of Peru.

At the end of this day, we will arrive in Cotahuasi (2600m.o.w.l) after about a 10h ride.

Cotahuasi is the capital of the Union and this is where we will spend the night in a local hostal.

Important: Cotahuasi is a tourist destination away from the city of Arequipa.
That's why there are very few tourists.
In Cotahuasi canyon, the services are very limited and very basic : restaurants and hotels.


This tour is especially for people who do not want to see tourists on the tour, visit some of the deepest canyons in the world.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Accommodation: Private room with private bathroom

Hiking time: 1–2 hours

Vehicle travel time and distance: 8 hours, 380 km

Road conditions: 60% paved, 40% unpaved track

Accommodation altitude:2,600 meters above sea level

Difficulty: Easy

Area:Canyon

Temperature: 35°C during the day, 12°C at night

7:00 AM: After breakfast, we continue in the 4x4 vehicle toward the Cuyao Bridge, proceeding to the Sipia Bridge over the Cotahuasi River.

The Sipia Waterfall has a drop of 150 meters. It is here that one can hear and witness the fierce battle between water and rock; water, with its erosive power, is the element that helped carve and shape this geological gorge, which reaches a depth of 3,535 meters.

It is worth noting here that Colca Canyon has a depth of 4,160 meters; therefore, Cotahuasi is not the deepest. Recent GPS measurements and expeditions to Colca Canyon confirm that it is indeed deeper.

After viewing the Sipia Waterfall, we continue by vehicle to the village of Velinga, making stops at Judio Pampa—home to impressive giant cacti—and passing near Chaupo, a lush green oasis amidst the desert-like canyon.

On this day, we will visit Chaupo and Velinga before arriving at Quechualla, traveling the entire route in a 4x4 vehicle.

A road now connects these locations.

This is a dusty, unpaved road, which is why we use 4x4 vehicles.

The guide will organize walks at each of the aforementioned points of interest.

We will hike at Judio Pampa and through the villages mentioned.

The guide will determine the duration of the hikes based on the time available and your physical fitness.

After exploring Cotahuasi Canyon through a combination of hiking and 4x4 travel, we return to the town of Cotahuasi to spend the night and have dinner at the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Accommodation: Private room with private bathroom

Hiking time: 4–6 hours

Vehicle travel time and distance: 4 hours

Road conditions: Mostly unpaved track

Accommodation altitude: 2,600 meters above sea level

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Area: Canyon and valley

Temperature: 35°C during the day and 12°C at night

6:00 AM: After breakfast, we travel to Andagua in our 4x4 vehicle.

Today, we pass near the snow-capped Mount Coropuna, reaching an altitude of 4,700 meters above sea level; the road runs practically at the foot of the mountain.

From this spot, we can appreciate the true "deep Peru," surrounded by mountains and pristine nature.

After a 3- to 4-hour drive, we will arrive at the Valley of the Volcanoes.

On this day, we will explore part of the valley and hike to the "Twin Volcanoes" (dwarf volcanoes), reaching the summit of one of them.

We will also walk through agricultural fields—observing locals going about their daily activities—on our way to the Sinquillay Waterfall.

We will spend the night in the village of Andagua (3,570 meters above sea level) in basic accommodation.

Lunch and dinner will be at local restaurants.

Welcome to the "deep Peru"—far from the tourist crowds!

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Accommodation: Private room (basic)

Hiking time: 3–4 hours

Road conditions: Dusty and bumpy

Accommodation altitude: 3,570 meters above sea level

Difficulty: Somewhat challenging due to the altitude

Region: Andes – Valley of the Volcanoes

Temperature: 25°C during the day, 5°C at night

At 7:00 AM, after breakfast, we head toward Arequipa. We will cross a high pass at 4,500 meters above sea level before descending to 500 meters (into the Majes Valley). Reflecting on this descent, one question comes to mind: How did humans manage to build a road across such rugged terrain?

Along the way, we will pass through the villages of Machaguay, Viraco, and Tagre. A few kilometers past Capiza, we will see a lunar-like landscape where the Andamayo and Colca rivers converge to form the Majes River. Next, we will pass through the village of Querullpa, where we will visit bipedal dinosaur tracks dating back 150 million years, as well as marine fossils (a one-hour hike). Afterward, we will continue to the city of Arequipa, a three-hour journey away.

5:00 -6PM: Arrival in the city of Arequipa.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Hiking time: 1–3 hours

Vehicule travel time: 8–10 hours

Road conditions: Dusty , bumpy and paved

Difficulty: Easy

Area: Andes – Arid canyon and valley

Temperature: 38°C during the day