Colca Canyon Tour: Arequipa to Puno 2-Day Review

Thinking of checking out Colca Canyon on a tour going from Arequipa over to Puno in a couple of days? So, tons of folks head that way every year, yet deciding if that’s the path you want, like, actually want to wander down could take a bit. This review gives the rundown on my experiences, really throwing in what made things good, where trips could maybe be slicker, and basically what to consider if you’re piecing together the ultimate South American visit. Ready to find the heart of the Andes? Well, keep looking!

Why Colca Canyon? What’s the Hype?

Right, Colca Canyon. That big pit in the ground rivals Arizona’s Grand Canyon. As a matter of fact, it’s twice as deep! Too it’s home to not just seriously views but Andean condors hanging out overhead and nearby groups clinging on to ways going far, far back. You know, that’s before our supercharged existence, basically. Tours are often packaged along a route between Arequipa – often regarded as Peru’s handsome white city—and Puno, your Lake Titicaca gateway. Now, picking this trip gives sweet scenery, gets a little closer to local happenings, and throws everything from pretty mild strolls to genuinely pushing it when trekking at crazy heights. I mean, you do have to choose, though.

Day 1: Arequipa to Chivay – Getting There is Half the Fun!

Most two-day trips kick off early. Anyway, picture a departure pre-sunrise from Arequipa – often before anyone has grabbed breakfast – the goal’s that, like, everything needs to run without a hiccup. So, this early start hands you the light for all the pit-stops dotted across desert scenes dotted with volcanoes; each a picture chance at soaring heights! Typically, groups pause at sights like the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, that protects alpacas and vicuñas (which I can verify are completely photogenic), on top of viewpoints presenting huge Andean peaks, as well. Basically, just massive views!

After that it’s the trip’s peak height when almost everybody starts checking for soroche — mountain sickness. To be honest, Chivay is generally the arrival city; very commonly trips are put on at lunchtime with everybody quickly finding some food before anything else begins. In Chivay you often discover choices ranging everywhere from hitting local markets or trying a dip at thermal springs, that gives relaxation before things pick back up. A visit over to a community event at night, having dance with dining is frequently integrated – clearly adding a certain touch regarding area traditions into a day mostly about traveling.

Day 2: Condor Watching and Headed Towards Puno

Sunrise arrives early on day two to grab a front-row seat during Condor Cross activity! Usually tourists head that way prior to sunshine to observe Andean Condors fly above the valley; It’s seriously a striking view, even if scores show up alongside yourselves to witness everything. The air fairly buzzed with camera clicks plus respectful sighs at spotting one such big bird taking air.

Trips afterward typically include scenic vista overlooking deep ravines – that seriously put nature’s power within perspective — including chances to observe the countryside lifestyle up near little towns dotted inside Colca’s backyard, or to grab artisanal bits and eat area food, which are often pretty tasty. Next up usually comes an extended journey from Chivay to Puno, taking passengers near Lake Titicaca’s horizons around sundown; typically there might not be tour led visits but, this lets tourists to settle just before exploring Lake Titicaca throughout other parts.

Tour Operators: How to Pick a Good One

The selection of someone leading makes something enjoyable change straightaway. See, there are things you actually want before committing yourself somewhere: Begin just looking at reviews; Check sites like TripAdvisor or Lonely Planet just what visitors have told after going upon journeys, anyway. Do some comparisons! Tour costs change greatly, and it’s good examining price includes, or something.

Double check the dimensions on people doing something. It’s fairly simple actually! Smaller amounts mean more individualized happenings with a bit more leeway versus fixed paths. Make things specific too; is speaking another’s language available. How involved happen those guides! So it does effect experience, which I actually want more than anything.

Making the Most of Your Trip: Some Tips and Tricks

OK, want your journey not be boring? Very often this becomes the adventure you see always.

• Altitude sickness. Arguebly, deal alongside beforehand – hydrate, don’t tire, or try speaking by prescription before ever leaving home, I actually had good stories about how someone survived with prescription tablets beforehand actually.
• Layers. The climate switches rapidly, which is frequently seen up through canyons actually, by sunshine one moment prior quickly goes from having freezing gales next moment there; clothing inside stages keeps tourists okay, actually actually.
• Money situation. Fairly a little of town is still smaller. Basically don’t plan upon just charging things because often locations accept only that green actually – this does take some foreseeing often so; keep some extras easily around when hitting random souvenirs!
• Photo game. Obviously ensure that phone gets batteries full night beforehand along these valleys give perfect photo opportunities. Don’t forget also something to back that one too just at end time to something ever comes to something terrible, literally.

What to Pack for the Colca Canyon Tour

Selecting bags appropriately often makes any adventure or experience enjoyable! The Andes are serious! Layer well given extreme elevation, anyway, as atmosphere tends toward getting extremely cold sometimes!

• Hiking footwear, solid enough given any walks round trails – and usually comfy enough at something bad should arise which definitely would turn anyone happy actually!.
• Clothes layering, providing weather switches at quick moments with mountains which definitely do catch up even more frequently when no cover is anywhere!.
• Sun protector which blocks solar effects also especially glasses as often bright, that’s due at extremely height with mountain reflections there definitely keep up sunshine effects. Seriously do protect yourself especially too!.
• Medications of height actually which reduces how terrible sickness is or any other problem such actually – talking from medical personnel beforehand offers amazing benefits too – they assist prepare tourists appropriately actually!!!.
• Snack mixes plus H20 with mountains which support hold travelers energy sustained also when stops remain distant between locations or activities as I actually found which did hold very genuine after trying once!!!.

Is This Tour Right for You? Who Should Go?

Who is ideal with 2 day experiences towards Puno straight up from Arequipa by Condor place too?

• View seeker whose actually loves beautiful vista by barely trying much with travel side with Peru too so!
• Cultural explorer willing toward visiting something genuine villages where you would meet real community personally which will make feel completely great again probably!
• Photog whose serious when attempting awesome shots too plus something epic or fantastic even through Colca often tends creating awesome photographic scenarios, often!.
• Individual needing that way Puno which mixes any sightseeing straight from doing trips together and also offers useful technique with transitioning when transferring between locations with country actually too!!!.

Making your travel affordable and worth every cent.

• Plan something way earlier- usually rates switch higher which are nearer at vacation – setting any strategy months well could lead on scoring discounts. So start saving right?
• Assess various groups offering these journey with the Colca ravine: costs or facilities show widely therefore doing something really with studying enables one get highest great. What suits yourself in budget?.
• Prefer often nearby cafes: eating establishments near regions usually tends toward having enhanced costs but tasting original food locally or also buying directly with open market often would save significantly whilst additionally enhances travels originality. Arepas.
• Try that group deal possibly? Talk by hotel – very mostly tour firms are offering reduced bargains toward persons. It assists slicing your own spend although guarantees great experience alongside folks! Fun isn’t it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)