Colca Canyon 2-Day Hike Review: Is It Worth It?

You know, thinking about doing the Colca Canyon trek near Arequipa? Like your exploring whether the two-day trip with meals is worth your precious vacation time and money? Well, I am here to break it all down. This hike, that many regard, as one of Peru’s gems, promises stunning scenery, culture, and a serious workout. That said, like your getting down into the specifics, I will share my firsthand take. So, that it gives you a better idea, lets consider whether it lives up to the hype.

What’s the Colca Canyon Deal?

Basically, that you get what the big deal is with the Colca Canyon, I thought I would, give a little introduction. That, as it’s one of the deepest canyons on Earth, it makes the Grand Canyon look kinda cute. I mean, the views? Basically, are simply mind-blowing. That its soaring cliffs and the traditional villages, I tell you what, they’ve got that timeless feel to them. More or less, you have that Condors that fly overhead as a pretty good sight to behold. This area is, too it’s almost, steeped in history with its pre-Inca cultures still kicking. Basically, a big mix of culture and nature makes it, arguably, a super appealing destination.

Booking My Trip: What to Expect

Like your actually booking that two-day hike, very few are the ways it usually goes down. Typically, you’re looking at tour agencies that are in Arequipa. Right so, there are many choices and prices might be a bit varied, just that you get around. That’s said, it’s often a good plan to look around, read some reviews, and, maybe, ask other travelers for recommendations. Typically, those packages tend to cover your transport, that is from and to Arequipa, the meals, that the guide’s service, and the hostel stays inside the canyon. Just be dead sure that what’s included that you consider it.

I can say that, as far as booking goes, you want to book with a good reputable agency, not that the cost can go low at times. Typically, that can lead to, like your staying in very dodgy accommodation or getting very bad meals. We will want to avoid the ‘dodgy’. So that it will avoid disappointments. I can suggest that a bit of looking ahead can go down quite nicely.

Day 1: Descent into the Canyon

As I was saying, the big day starts early. I mean, usually around 3 AM. Or maybe even 4AM? This allows, like your taking advantage of cooler conditions and missing the killer sun on your skin. By the way, the first part of the trip often covers a bus ride from Arequipa to Cabanaconde, I’m very serious here. Cabanaconde? Its, naturally, your starting point. Very seriously, as it’s one serious view to kick off with from Cruz del Cóndor where you might see condors doing the circles overhead. I swear, like it sets that vibe for your entire hike!

Basically, that the downhill walking part happens from Cabanaconde to the canyon floor, usually you can bet it might take about three to four hours. Anyway, I want to emphasize it tends to be, somewhat, taxing on those knees. In some respects, the landscapes are simply amazing, that it might, probably, make it seem a little less painful. Very, very often your overnight stop is Cosñirhua or San Juan de Chuccho. Right so, it can give, something for something with their basic-but-comfortable lodgings and that home-cooked meal.

Day 2: Ascending and Heading Back

Just a little that you get a glimpse of that second day? I want to be frank that is, apparently, more physically strenuous than that first one. I tell you what, it involves an upward hike. Right so, starting really early to not bake that, and not die by solar radiation. This is, obviously, often that killer part as the altitude is killer and those inclines can make for slow climbs. But still, there are, typically, moments when, perhaps, you feel satisfied with yourself as you get back up, very really!

Basically, the views can often seem spectacular from that higher point as, obviously, there is usually a lunch stop within the villages such as that Yanque village. What, too it’s almost, offers some time to, probably, explore some cultural insights before that bus ride gets back to Arequipa. So, with being so much in the middle of things? With the sun shining down? Pretty cool.

The Food Situation: How are the Included Meals?

That I look back on the included meals, just that I think it’s alright. It sounds pretty simple, if anything, in my words. Naturally, you are typically looking at the stuff like quinoa soup, rice dishes, and very small chicken servings or those vegetarian versions, just I mean, I didn’t see anything outstanding here. Basically, food goes pretty well in that canyon when I saw, but in that state after hiking so damn hard.

I want to highlight, what happens sometimes that if there are special requirements to consider such as, you know, dietary requirements? With that agency or that hostel so you have, maybe, you can get ready for your specific needs to deal with what happens, which sometimes goes on quite a long ways. Maybe just bringing, in fact, just some snacks of your, as in a bit too extra food here.

Things That May Make Or Break That Trip

By the way, a few tips to remember, too it’s almost, have that enjoyable trek of yours:

1. Altitude Acclimatization: Basically, that it spends the few days to deal that altitude in Arequipa. As a matter of fact, consider that to seriously help!
2. Footwear choices matter: It sounds funny but those solid hiking shoes make a difference on rocky terrain, it is really.
3. Packing essentials: Bring everything with water, sunscreen, something for your head, with, probably, a light jacket in my books. This, obviously, keeps that sunshine from attacking you that it needs for.
4. Stay hydrated: It probably might be simple, though that water will prevent against dealing headaches and a dehydration issue. So, the better to drink it more. So, maybe carry enough to see.
5. Pace Yourself: Typically, I can say its a must as, obviously, this prevents exhaustion from getting you fast and prevents injuries.

Is it Worth It After all That?

In a way, it can be. This goes to depend a little what kind of traveler you turn to be, really. Typically, I can say that the Colca Canyon trip can give killer stuff that, of course, that goes back to how many visitors there have ever come along here and how cool you turn out to get on.

FAQs about that Colca Canyon 2-Day Trip