OVERVIEW

Best Colca trek is best suited for those who like to SWEAT and discover the places not visited by tourists and travel agencies classics. we thing this hike is the best colca trek.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY:  Moderate
DISTANCE OF THIS TREK: Depending on which option you choose on the third day:
With the first option , 37km
With the second option, 39km
With the third option , 47km
With the fourth option, 44km
With the fifth option, 43km
DURATION: 4 days
ELEVATION DIFFERENCE: 1200m but only with fifth option on the third day 1800m

TRIP SUMMARY AND TREKKING TIME PER DAY

Day 1: Cabanaconde (3287 m) to Llahuar (2000 m), 5 hours / 10.5 km

Day 2: Llahuar 2000m– Fure 2800m– Huaruro Waterfall 2850m– Fure, 5 hours / 11.5 km

Day 3:

Option 1.- Trek from Fure 2800m to the Oasis 2100m: 4 hours trek / 11.5
Option 2.- Trek from Fure 2800m-Malata 2500m -Coshñirhua 2600m - Oasis 2100m:
5hours trek /12km
Option 3.-Trek from Fure 2800m-Malata 2500m -Coshñirhua 2600m-San Juan de Chuccho 2200m -Oasis 2100m:   7-8 hours/14km
Option 4.-Trek from Fure 2800- Malata 2500m-coshñirhua 2600m /   We did not go through the Oasis and we spend the night in San Juan de Chuccho village 2200m: 5 hours trek /14 km
If we spent the night in San Juan de Chuccho, the fourth day we walk from San Juan de Chuccho 2200 m. Up to 3300m Cabanaconde,   4 hours uphill
Option 5.-Toccayo trek, we walk from Fure 2800m. to TOCCAYO village 3800m then to the Oasis2100m: But during the trek we cross a high point at 3900m:     9 hours of trek/ 16km.

Day 4: Sangalle Oasis – Cabanaconde, 3-4 hours / 5 km

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.

HIGHLIGHTS

Condor Sightings - We can usually appreciate the condor's flight in the morning at the Condor's Cross.

Cabanaconde - The starting point for all treks in the Colca Canyon; it is the Ollantaytambo of the Colca, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and mountains.

Sangalle Oasis - The final destination of the descent, a small tropical paradise at the bottom of the canyon, ideal for relaxing with its natural pools.

Huaruro Waterfall - It has a drop of more than 60 meters, it is the largest waterfall in the Colca canyon.

Llahuar Hot Springs - Thermal water pools with a temperature of 35 degrees Celsius, right next to the Colca River.

Hike through a less-visited part of the canyon - there are few tourists on this route.

Aguada Blanca and Salinas National Reserve - Visited on the last day; birds, South American camelids, volcano viewpoint.

Yanque Hot Spring, with temperatures up to 38 degrees Celsius, rich in minerals that help relieve muscle contractions and are excellent for stress relief; we bathed there after the trek.

Peruvian Buffet Lunch: On the last day, you can enjoy Peruvian cuisine at a restaurant in the town of Chivay, featuring a variety of traditional dishes.

Local Villages and local people: This part of the canyon is special because we can see local people along the way.

Nature and canyon: During the trek, you can appreciate different varieties of cacti and volcanic rock formations.

Hiking inside the Colca Canyon: It is one of the deepest canyons in the world, and we will descend to the bottom of the canyon.

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?

We hike in small groups, with a maximum of 8 people. If we only have 2 clients on the day of the tour, we don't cancel the tour or ask for more money.

Pablo Tour Guides: Only the Pablo Tour team`s guides can lead our groups. Our are continuously trained and officially certified.

We are a tour operator; we don't send our clients to other travel agencies. This guarantees our quality and safety.

We have a physical office in Arequipa`downtown , You can visit us with any questions.

Tour information 1-2 days before the tour, we provide more information at our office. We are located in the city center.

All-inclusive: no hidden costs.

Private rooms, you'll only share with the person you know.

Better food, you'll always feel your food is better than other groups'.

We are Pablo Tour, with top service ratings and recommended in all the travel books worldwide.

ITINERARY:

Departure from the city of Arequipa-2320m.

By private car service At 6 am

By tourist bus service 3:00 - 4: 00 am

By tourist bus service, you have to wait between 3:00 to 4:00 am to pick up the passengers.

In private transport does not wait for anyone and leaves at 06:00 am, of course in private transport the trek is more expensive and the service on the trek is better.

At the end of the program we will explain the difference between the two services.

Before reaching Cabanaconde we stopped at the condor cross to try to see the condor´s flight.

We travel for more than 5 hours to Cabanaconde village -3287m.

We start the trek towards the western part of the canyon, (descent) until 2000 m. in 4-5 hours at the Colca river. Then we continue half an hour more trek (climb), Here we spend the night very near from Colca river,In Llahuar in small bamboo rooms, basic but clean, the rooms are private however .
This day we enjoyed the hot springs next to the Colca river.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accomodation: Private room

Walking distance: 10.5 km ( 6-7 hours )

Hotel night altitude: 2000 meters (high) Above sea level

Difficulty: Moderate

Area:Canyon

Temperature: 35 degrees Celsius during the day and 12 degrees Celsius at night

6:30 AM - Breakfast. We then continue our hike to the village of Fure 2800m, however we’ll be getting some help from our donkey and muleteer (carrying food and supplies) who will be there to ease our burden. Lunch.

After a rest we will go to the Huaruro waterfall 2850m. Afterward, we’ll return to the village of Fure (2-3). dinner and night.

4 hours up from llahuar to fure village

2 hours up-flat and down from Fure to the huarruro waterfall- Fure village

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accomodation: BASIC Private room

Walking distance: 11.5 km ( 5 -6 hours )

Hotel night altitude: 2800 meters (high) Above sea level

Difficulty: Moderate

Area:Canyon

Temperature: 35 degrees Celsius during the day and 12 degrees Celsius at night

Depending on the option you choose, the guide will decide what time breakfast will be and what time the hike will start.

Option 1 .- Trek from Fure 2800m to the Oasis 2100m: 4 hours trek
Option 2 .- Trek from Fure 2800m-Malata 2500m -Coshñirhua 2600m - Oasis 2100m: 5 hours trek
Option 3 .- Trek from Fure 2800m-Malata 2500m -Coshñirhua 2600m-San Juan de Chuccho 2200m -Oasis 2100m: 7-8 hours
Option 4 .- Trek from Fure 2800- Malata 2500m-coshñirhua 2600m -We did not go through the Oasis and we spend the night in San Juan de Chuccho village 2200m: 5 hours trek.
If we spent the night in San Juan de Chuccho, the fourth day we walk from San Juan de Chuccho 2200 m. Up to 3300m Cabanaconde,   4 hours uphill.
Option 5 .- Toccayo trek, we walk from Fure 2800m. to TOCCAYO village 3800m then to the Oasis 2100m: But during the trek we cross a high point at 3900m: With this option 9 hours of trek.
This last option is preferred for people who like to walk more. The views are formidable and in Toccallo valley you will not see  any tourist.

Why do we recommend spending the night at the Sangalle oasis?

Because the Oasis is the paradise of the Colca Canyon, here, there is a larger swimming pool, the green spaces are wider and a temperature of between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius, here you can see fruit trees and palms trees.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accomodation:Private room

Hotel night altitude: 2100 meters (high) Above sea level

Difficulty: Moderate

Area:Canyon

Temperature: 35 degrees Celsius during the day and 12 degrees Celsius at night

4:00 am, we trek up hill to Cabanaconde village, we walk to the village of Cabanaconde 3287m. 3 hours of trek depending on the physical condition of each person. During the trek on this day, you can also see condors as it is near to the condor cross.

For this day, we recommend bringing chocolate and energy bars because breakfast is after the trek, when we arrive in the town of Cabanaconde.
We'll leave early this day because the hike is uphill, and this way we avoid the 35-degree Celsius (95-degree Fahrenheit) heat during the day.
If the sky is clear, we can see the sunrise and the stars.

ONLY BY PRIVATE CAR SERVICE

8am, you take our private transport to the Condor’s Cross (25 minutes with transport.) to admire the condor in flight (we wait the condor flights about 1 hour and a half)

Then we continue to Yanque village to relax in the thermal hotsprings (38 degrees C).

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.

BY TOURIST BUS SERVICE

After the breakfast you take the tourist bus at 10:00 am and the the transport makes 1 stop on the valley another stop to enjoy the hot spring and for the lunch in Chivay.

Then 3 more stops in the national park of Salinas and aguada blanca, in the andes viewpoint 4850mhsl, and to see lamas, Alpacas, vicuñas and also birds

We arrive to Arequipa city 5:30pm

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Walking distance: 5km ( 3-4 hours )

Difficulty: Moderate

Area:Canyon

About the Condor:

First.- To look condors at  the condor cross, it’s not like to looking at any  common eagle, it depends on many natural factors. During the trek we’ll have the possibility to see the condors in the same canyon.

Then we continue to Chivay town to enjoy of the hot springs,  having lunch and getting back to Arequipa , By private transport we arrive 17:00 hrs  or 18:00 by Tourist bus service.

HOSTELS AND ROOMS INSIDE THE CANYON

In Oasis (Sangalle) there are 6 lodges where you can sleep. Each owner informe us that have the best service but we have checked it and for us the 6 places have the same facilities and services and there are not differences.
In each room there are: Beds,liners,pillows 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 lodge has their own swimming pool, electricity and internet access

the temperature of the water is 23 grados centigrados they use solar panel for the shower.

In Llahuar , There is also electricity and internet access. The rooms are made of wood and include a bed, sheets, blankets, and pillows.
The advantage of this place is that it has thermal water pools. It offers double, twin, and triple rooms. Only two accommodations are available.

In Fure, There's only one hostel here; it's very basic but better than camping. There are rooms with shared bathrooms and bedding.
There are no swimming pools available.

BUS COLCA TO PUNO

If you want to save time and instead of continuing to the city of Arequipa, you can take a connection to the city of Puno.

-If you take the tourist bus service for the trek, you can take your suitcases on the transport to the beginning of the trek which is in the town of Cabanaconde.

This transportation arrives at Cabanaconde at 9:45 am and immediately returns to the city of Arequipa with the clients who have finished the trek  in the canyon.

That is why you cannot leave your suitcases on the transport.

In Cabanaconde there is secure luggage storage.

After the trek you can recover your suitcases and continue with your trip.

-If you take the Private car option, no problem you can leave your suitcases inside the transport.

From Colca Canyon (Chivay) after lunch on the last day of the tour, you take the tourist bus in shared service at 13:00 to Puno city arriving at 19:30h.

This transport makes stops for the toilet and visits the National Park of Salinas and Aguada Blanca.

Inside the transport there is a guide

Along  the way you will visit:

1.-On the high viewpoint Patapampa (4912 mhsl) to see the Andes range and volcanoes,

2.- In Pampas Cañahuas, to see Lamas, Alpacas, vicuñas and also for toilets

3.- in Lagunillas to see birds and flamingos.

And not problem they have enough space for your suitcase

Price of the transfer Colca – Puno is 

195.00 Soles person (20-30 people in the bus).

We can arrange it for you. 

WE HAVE 2 KINDS OF SERVICES :

TOURIST BUS IN SHARED SERVICE VS PRIVATE CAR SERVICE

TOURIST BUS SERVICE: 

20-35 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 in Yanque village 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 2 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 4 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 4 days
  -The Arriero ( horsemen) take care of your things and the mule