Colca Canyon trekking

El contenido de esta página requiere una versión más reciente de Adobe Flash Player.

Obtener Adobe Flash Player

 
Recomended By
 
OPTION TREKS    
  Colca canyon trek 3 days and 2 nights 3 days / 2 nights  
CABANACONDE – SAN JUAN DE CHUCCHO – COSHŃIRHUA - MALATA – OASIS- CRUZ DEL CONDOR

We believe this to be a preferred trek for those who enjoy hiking and contact with nature. The hours of trekking per day are not too long.

This trek starts from the city of Arequipa. We can also start from Puno and end in the city of Arequipa: (Puno-Colca-Arequipa). We can also start in Arequipa and end in Puno (Arequipa-Colca-Puno) and obviously Arequipa-Colca-Arequipa
To differentiate ourselves from other travel agencies, on the second day we walk to the town of Tapay.

TEMPERATURE AND WEATHER: Between May and November the mornings and afternoons are sunny, the temperature during the day is 30-35 degrees Celsius and 12 degrees Celsius at night. Between December and April it rains during the afternoon and in the mornings partly sunny, during the day 18-28 degrees Celsius at night 12 degrees Celsius.
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: It is not a technical trek but it is physically difficult
DISTANCE: 22Km
DURATION: 3 days
ELEVATION DIFFERENCE: 1200m

First Day:

We pick you up from your hotel 06:00 am by private car service or by toursit bus service from 3:00am to 4:00am, then we travel to the small town of Cabanaconde. (colca canyon).

After 6 hours travel we arrive to Cabanaconde (3,287 mhsl). Upon arriving we will have lunch at a restaurant.

We start the trek down to the Colca canyon (3:30 /4 hrs. Aprox). to the village of San Juan de Chuccho 2200 mhsl. During the dry season in Colca canyon the weather maintains an average temperature of about 30 degrees Celsius in the day and 5-9 degrees in the night. In the bowels of the canyon we will find a variety of volcanic stones. We will spend the night in San Juan de Chuccho village in typical huts (home stay) with dinner prepared and served by a local family.

This day we walk: 8km

Second Day:

6:00 AM - Get up and have a breakfast.

On this day we will hike to Tapay (2900 mhsl), about 1 hour and 30 min. going up. This colonial village is known for its Quechua-speaking population. Also, it affords us a lookout to the opposite side of the Canyon.

Continuing the hike, we make a 2 hour descent to the villages of Coshńirhua (2350 mhsl) and Malata (2350 mhsl), and then another hour of hiking descent to arrive at the oasis of Sangalle (2000 mhsl). Lunch. The oasis of Sangalle is a great place to relax and appreciate nature, while also taking advantage of the lukewarm swimming pools (23 degrees Celcius). The owners of the oasis have built small houses of bamboo where we will be spending the night. (very basic rooms but clean).

Our guide will explain the various native fruits growing in the oasis, such as the lucma, the pacay, and the chirimoya. You will also have the opportunity to taste them.

This day we walk: 9km

Third Day:

4:30 AM - Back up to Cabanaconde (1200 m up). We will be setting out a little early to catch the sunrise over Colca Canyon, and also to make time for our stop at the Condor cross to watch for condors. There is also a possibility of spotting condors on the trek up to town from the oasis. We will have breakfast when we arrive in Cabanaconde. here wi finish the trek.

This day we walk: 5km

We then take the transport to the Condor’s Cross (25 min faraway in car.) to admire the condor in flight (we wait the condor flights about 1 hour and a half) Then we continue to Chivay village to relax in the thermal hotsprings (38 degrees C). In order to enjoy more time in the hotsprings we will bring along a lunch of sandwiches and fruit.

We visit the Colca valley to take pictures for sightseeing terraces, and the national reserve of Salinas and Aguada Blanca: Llamas, vicuñas, alpacas and in the Patamapa viewpoint at 4850mhsl. From there we can see the andes range and volcanoes.

Afterward we make the return trip to Arequipa, arriving at approximately 5 PM.

If the tour starts from the city of Puno, the tour would be like this:

Day 1.- 06:00 hrs the tourist bus picks you up from your hotel in the city of Puno and arrives at the Colca Valley at 12:00 hrs, Lunch.

Then with another transport we continue for 1 hour to Cabanaconde and start the 3-4 hours trek to San Juan de Chuccho.

Day 2.- Trek to the Oasis

Day 3.-Trek to Cabanaconde and return to the city of Arequipa

Important. - You will sleep in bamboo cabins, in Oasis (Sangalle) there are 4 places where we can sleep, the 4 places are really very basic. But all the 4 places (owners) informed us that have the best service but we have checked it and for us the 4 places have the same facilities and services and there are not differences.
In each room there are: Beds and blankets. you will share the room only with the person that you know , you can choose between matrimonial room, double room , triple room and quadruple.
Each hostel has their own swimming pool.    
Inside the rooms there are not electricity only on the front desk you can charge batteries.
Remember the Oasis is located inside the Colca canyon , on the bottom of the canyon, some customers think that the rooms are dusty. Remember you are on the nature ¡  For the nights we recommend you carry a trek liner, on the bamboo huts you will have blankets but if you like to have only your personal scent on the bed please carry your own trek liner.
We offer private rooms but you need to share the toilets and showers

Accommodation inside the canyon is adequate but toilets is about 50 to 100 m. from Cabins. Some rooms in Oasi and in San Juan de chuccho has private toilets inside the room, if you like one room with private bathroom please book it with months in advance (Extra cost)
All the swimming pools and hostel take the water from the only one spring that exist in the Oasis , the temperature of the water is 23 grados centigrados they use the same water for the showers, there are not hot water in the shower.

See the colca canyon trek map (Classic Route)

You have just read the version of  Classic Colca trekking. We call it the classic version because this route is one of the oldest in the Colca Canyon and is the most famous.
the negative aspects of Classic Colca Trekking are: There are too many people, too many tourists.
Another negative aspect in the Classic  Colca Trek, is you trek only 3-4 hours per day . In the Colca trek not classic of Pablo Tour we walk more, on this trek in the second day , we have different routes to get to the Oasis depending on the physical condition of each customer you can choice which route to take.

Click here for more information

 

THIS TRIP IS ALSO AVAILABLE BY PRIVATE CAR SERVICE (COMFORTABLE SERVICE)

Only by private car service we include during the 3 days trek , one mule and one horsemen (arriero) .The mule will carry all your things you will carry during the trek just your camera. The horsemen will take care of the mule and your things. Like this you will help the local economy, thanks to this work the local people will stay on their village . Yes you will help to conserve the folklore.
The arriero ( horsmen) will be proud if you ask to speak in Quechua, also he can learn you a little the quechua language.
-The mule will carry 10 kilos per person during the 3 days
-The Arriero ( horsemen) take care of your things and the mule.

 
We have 2 kinds of services:

TOURIST BUS IN SHARED SERVICE VS PRIVATE CAR SERVICE

 

TOURIST BUS SERVICE: 20 tourists in the bus, yes we share the transport with others travel agencies. This is not our transport.

We trek maximun with 12 customers with one guide of Pablo Tour. Sure, we share the tourists bus with other travel agencies but on the trek we avoid the crowd , we trek more, All is included on the price. Pablo tour is one of the few companies that work only with official trekking guides.

We don´t receive tourist from other travel agencies , You will trek allways with a Pablo tour´s guide.

The biggest advantage of this type of service (tourist bus service) is that it is less expensive than the private transport service.
Obviously, more people in transport is cheaper.
But do not be mistaken, if you take this service with Pablo tour : Our trek is always different, we walk more and avoid the masses of tourists by taking different routes or walking in the opposite direction.

  • In the first day, this tourist bus goes through the various hotels to pick up the passengers. This bus pick up passengers from many different hotels.
  • The client must be waiting between 3:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. for the tourist Bus; you may wait without knowing the exact time of pickup, you need to wait ready from 3 am inside your hotel.
  • In conclusion,The fist day the bus leaves from Arequipa at 4:00 am, and continues to the condor cross with only one stop for the breakfast.The bus arrives at the condor lookout at 8:30 am, the bus wait 30 min. in the condor cross.
  • On the last day, in the morning the tourist bus service stop only 2 times in Colca valley to take pictures for sightseeing terraces. One stop 30 min, for the hot spring in Yanque village.
  • After lunch in the last day, you make 3 more stops on the national reserve of Salinas and Aguada Blanca: Llamas, vicuñas, alpacas and in the Patamapa viewpoint at 4850mhsl. From there you can see the andes range and volcanoes.We arrive to Arequipa 18:00hrs at 4 blocks from Arequipa´s Main square.
  • If you take the connection to Puno the last day after lunch , don´t worry you will not skipe the visits on the National Park of Salinas and aguada blanca because the tourist bus to Puno make the same stops and visits along the way arriving to Puno 19:30hrs.
  • If on the last day you have the conection to continue to Puno , you will have only 30 min. for the lunch. and not problem for the hot spring in the last day , you will have time to enjoy it.
  • Only if you have the connection to Puno the last day, you have to take your bags to Cabanaconde on the tourist bus. There, In Cabanaconde you can store your bags for a few soles. And at the end of the trek you can keep it.

NEGATIVE ASPECTS IN THE TOURIST BUS IN SHARED SERVICE

-The first day you have to wait ready inside your hotel , generally a minimum one hour from 03:00 am to 04:00 am

-Is not included , mules and horsemen to carry your personal things.
-Very early departure.
-In the first day The tourist bus in shared service arrive at 8:30 to 9:00 am, at the condor cross and you wait the condor only 30 min.
-If you need a connexion from the Colca canyon (Chivay village) to Puno after the trek it's possible but the tourist bus leaves from Cabanaconde ( in the last day of the trek ) at 10:00 am and this tourist bus arrive to Chivay village at 12:10 and the bus for Puno leave at 13:15 pm. You will have only 30 min. to take a lunch. ( is necessary to be 15 min, before the departure).
- The tourist bus leave from Cabanaconde at 10:00 am and arrive to Arequipa city between 18:00hrs.

-We are not responsible for any delays or cancellations, change schedule without notice. (it´s not ours buses) But normally we don´t have problems , this information is only on case of.


-On the tourist bus there is not a suitcase hold, the suitcases are put in the transport aisle, between the two rows of seats.
We will not be responsible for future claims.
Of course, in Cabanaconde we know a place to store your suitcases for a few soles, but if there is any loss, we will not responsible. This is only in case of , we never had at the moment any problem.

-This is not a Pablo Tour transport, is not our driver. Normally people complain because they drive fast.


PRIVATE TRANSPORT SERVICE Comfortable service, maximum 4 people in the transport and 4 people in the trek. When you book, if your familly or friends are more than 4 people , you will be in the transport and during the trek only with the people that you know. For sure we will use a bigger tranport.

  • Private transport service is opposite to the tourist bus in shared service. With the private transport service we do many stops in the toilets and in places to take pictures and it’s more comfortable. (climatized).Personalized travel in small group. You can stop anywhere.       
  • In private car service the first day we pick you up from your hotel at 6:00 am. and the last day we arrive to Arequipa 16:30/17:00 hrs, we drop you to your hotel.
  • It's a service to people who are interested in visiting also the Colca valley, remember that the trekking is into the Colca Canyon.
  • In the transport and in trek there are maximum 4 people.
  • It’s a service to people who like more comfort in the transport and to know better the Colca valley and the colonial village's along the way. With plenty of stops for toilettes as well.
  • In a private service, we visit the Colca valley making more stops for sightseeing terraces, pre-inca tombs, volcanoes, the national reserve of Salinas and Aguada Blanca: Llamas, vicuñas, alpacas and colonial villages, etc.
  • If you have a conextion from Colca to Puno the last day , you can leave with all your back pack , there is much space inside the transport. And during your trek, the driver will take care of your backpack. For the conexion Colca to Puno it will be easier for you. You will have enough time for the lunch and hot spring. This bus leave at 13:15pm from Chivay village and arrive to Puno city 19:30hrs.
  • Only by private car service we include during the 3 days trek , one mule and one horsemen (arriero) .The mule will carry all your things, you will carry during the trek just your camera. The horsemen will take care of the mule and your things. Like this you will help the local economy, thanks to this work the local people will stay on their village . Yes you will help to conserve the folklore.
    The arriero ( horsemen) will be proud if you ask to speak in Quechua, also he can learn you a little the quechua language.
    -The mule will carry 10 kilos per person during the 3 days
    -The Arriero ( horsemen) take care of your things and the mule.
COLCA CANYON TREKKING 3 DAYS INCLUDING:
  • Transport
  • All transfers
  • Oxygen equipment /(only by private car)
  • First-aid kit
  • Entrance fee to condor cross and national park
  • Entrance fee to Oasis
  • Trekking into the canyon
  • Official trekking guide
  • All meals
  • Accommodation 2 nights in typical houses
  • Ticket for la Calera (hot spring)
  • Only by private car service we include during the 3 days trek , one mule and one horsemen (arriero) .The mule will carry all your things you will carry during the trek just your camera. The horsemen will take care of the mule and your things. Like this you will help the local economy, thanks to this work the local people will stay on their village . Yes you will help to conserve the folklore.
    The arriero ( horsmen) will be proud if you ask to speak in Quechua, also he can learn you a little the quechua language.
    -The mule will carry 8 kilos per person during the 3 days
    -The Arriero ( horsemen) take care of your things and the mule.
EXCLUDING:
  • Water
  • Snacks
  • Tips
TYPE OF SERVICES AND PRICES OF CLASSIC COLCA TREK

By tourist bus in shared service , 25-30 people in the transport and 12 people in the trek (join a group)

Departure: Any day

In private Car service. confort service with Private guide and private vehicle maximun 6 people in the car, maximun 4 people in the trek, with visits in the colca valley , many stops for pictures. is included mules and horsemen to carry your things during the trek.

Prices by person in American dollars.

Departure: Any day 

Observation.-On this service (private transport), on the last day, you can enjoy the Colca valley and to do the different visits like, view points, condor cross, colonial villages, thermal baths. Etc.

Observation.- After trek if you do not want to return to the city of Arequipa, we can customize this tour and you can take a tourist bus from chivay village to Puno city for a few dollars more.

 Important: During the trek we include one mule that Carry 10 kilos per each customer during the trek inside the Canyon. (available only by private car service)


If you like to ride on the mule:

First. - we don`t recommend it because there was some accidents.
Normally people ride on the mules the last day of the Colca trek from the bottom of the canyon to Cabanaconde.
If some of our customer decide to do it we are not responsible for future accidents and remember this is extra, this service is not included on our treks. We include just the mule that carry your personal things during the Colca trek (10 kilos per each customer)
BAGS FOR THE MULE.- And remember we provide on the treks backs to transport your personal things  ( 10 kilos per person) like this you need during the trek just a day pack to carry your sunblock, bottle of water, camera etc. Available only by private car service.
ECOLOGICAL  BAGS FOR THE  RUBBISH.-  ( available on private car service and by tourist bus on shared service)  Pablo tour is an ECO RESPONSIBLE COMPANY , Pablo tour`s team  take care the nature and during our tours, treks and expeditions our guides carry a bag for the plastic  bottles . Please if you buy plastic bottle of water   during the trek put the empty plastic bottle inside our ecological bags, the guide will transport it to our office in Arequipa city. Our guides will provide you this ecological Rubbish Bag.
Important: the rain season in Arequipa region is from November to March But during these months is possible to trek, the only month that sometimes we have many rain is on February .
On the rain season except February in the morning is blue sky, please during the rain season we recommend carry your rain jacket.

Do you recommended another similar tour that combines visits to the Colca Valley with view points, colonial villages, national reserve, lamas, and alpacas then trekking in the Colca Canyon in private transport?

Yes we recommend a 3 days tour, in the first day is a cultural visit and 2 more days trek into the Colca canyon; the name is Colca culture & trek: more info click here.

If I/we like to walk more, do you recommend another similar trek?
Yes, we recommend a different trek: Colca trek not classic of Pablo tour. Trek a la carta with different option according to the physical condition of each person, couple or group. More info click here..............

WHAT TO BRING:
  • Swimming Customs.
  • Torch / Flashlight.
  • Sun Block.
  • Insects Repellent (Specially if you have sweet blood for them).
  • Towels
  • Basics, like toilet paper, etc
  • Snacks.
  • Water (you can buy in all the villages).
  • Cap or hat.
  • Personal medications.
  • Hiking stick(s).(optional)
  • coins for water, beers
  • A book
  • Enthusiam ( ver important)
  • If you do not want to buy water (bottled) during the trek, you can bring water purifying tablets and take advantage of the natural water from the springs.
 
* There’s no risk of Malaria at all.
 
- The passenger is under the obligation to mention of any health problem or past injury to assure and guarantee the safety of the trip.
ABOUT THE GUIDES:
The stuff is competent and is being trained eventually, every now and then.(OFFICIEL GUIDES).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


  

  

 

 
Extreme Caution Payments Sale Rules

Contact:
Address: Jerusalen 400-AB-1 Arequipa - Peru "PabloTour"
Telephone: ( 51) 941414048
E-mail: pablotour@hotmail.com
Copyright © 2005 All Rights Reserved