Review: Colca Canyon Full Day Tour from Arequipa (2024)

So, you’re thinking about seeing the Colca Canyon, which is, very, very deep, from Arequipa? That’s cool! The full day tour is super popular, like your because it lets you peep some of the scenery without taking too much time from the rest of your Peruvian plans. This review? It’s crafted, to tell you like it is. We are going over, almost everything – what’s included, what the ups and downs are, that sort of thing, too it’s almost as if you’re along for the ride.

What to Expect on the Colca Canyon Full Day Tour

Right, this tour, could be described as a marathon, definitely not a sprint. Think very early mornings; that kind of crack-of-dawn start, specifically, usually, like your from 3:00 AM to 4:00 AM. Anyway, that’s when they’ll pick you up from your hotel in Arequipa. First thing’s first. Is that a little crazy? You bet. Is it required, usually to see everything? Seems like it. That early wake-up, apparently it lets you avoid the worst of the traffic and gives you the highest chance of seeing condors gliding that is, around the canyon.

As a matter of fact, expect a good bit of travel, sometimes winding roads, but it’s a great way to see that landscape transition. So, you’ll be driving, and as you climb higher, naturally, you’ll spot places like Pampa Cañahuas. Very amazing to see wild vicuñas roaming around so seemingly without a care. After that? You are likely stopping at a small spot, just to sip coca tea, very helpful with handling the altitude. Arriving at Cruz del Condor is the big thing, often thought of as the main event; a viewpoint. With any luck you’ll catch the magnificent condors as they take to the skies.

Along the way, you will be visiting various cute towns such as Yanque and Maca. Actually, the guides always give some explanations about local culture, definitely things like their traditional clothes and churches, alright and about how the people still keep things very, very old-school. Before heading back to Arequipa later in the afternoon, there is likely to be a yummy lunch somewhere, just something that feels both authentic and energizing for your return.

The Good Stuff: What Makes this Tour Shine

Alright, Condor Watching at Cruz del Condor; that’s the moment that makes this tour unforgettable for heaps of people, actually, too it’s almost majestic. Seeing those big birds soaring over, well, just the deep canyon, is a total ‘wow’ moment. Also, having the tour saves you, definitely having to worry about driving and route, is what I think. They take care of the travel which means that you can peep the great scenery without any worries.

Very much, the guides bring knowledge about the region’s animals, plus they bring insight on plants and history, actually. They generally add great meaning, basically to what you’re viewing, well just out the van window, so that’s a super thing. Also worth mentioning is this tour typically tosses in things like breakfast and lunch. Really awesome because this gives you an experience focused entirely on enjoying and relaxing rather than searching to discover somewhere eat.

Watch Out For: Potential Downsides to Consider

The altitude is really something. The Colca Canyon sits very high, usually it messes with heaps of people. Symptoms which you could possibly deal with can be headaches, nausea, definitely a feeling, like your shortness of breath and dizziness, or a mixture of them. Remember you may like your need time adjusting if, right your, from a sea level spot, very.

Keep in mind it’s likely that there’s an abundance of travel time involved in this tour; because the Colca Canyon lies kinda far from Arequipa. Anyway, if you are not into drives which are several hours on ends, then this here may pose to be tricky. Finally the tour includes loads of touristy places that means shops are frequently selling gifts that makes experiencing them very feel, maybe, just a touch more transactional, like your when some would prefer it to feel totally authentic.

What to Bring with You

Given the elevation, dressing up is absolutely the way. So, the mornings, likely in particular before the sun comes out strong, often are pretty cold. Layer up by dressing warm clothes. A hat, a coat that helps with the cold winds; like your would. After that, naturally there are some days it is super sunny, typically sunglasses along with sunscreen do the trick as protection is needed, apparently.

Think along the lines of carrying tiny denominations for buying the likes of water, along with possibly the purchase of, by the way, like, right at tourist places that might be tiny in scale. Be mindful that in certain areas toilet use often comes down to small payments, that is right, often under a sol or so. Never forgetting; a camera! Bring, as a matter of fact, for bringing these, as right as they allow capturing moments of natural magnificence encountered! Finally, very often carrying snacks proves handy just to maintain one’s energy amount amongst meals that may not quite be at those standard timings.

Is this Colca Canyon Tour Right for You?

So, the Colca Canyon tour, I think a day is fantastic for peeps with a little time, yet who do fancy peep some gorgeous scenery plus the big condors. But remember that the hours you start will always be quite, I think very long and you will also face certain levels related high up the mountain’s altitude; this tour really can still pay great dividends back when someone’s willing!

It just might suit those who aren’t all that much into treks long; and who very happily watch things that feel so grand at lookouts instead. In a manner not dissimilar to peeps searching insights regarding cultures around an iconic countryside locale here very seems quite the option alright if seeing it conveniently from inside your booked transfer and its organized stops sounds fantastic very that seems just brilliant! And that could well sound quite divine! So just evaluate this versus any of these trek-focused expeditions prior to totally finalizing arrangements!

Other Options for Seeing Colca Canyon

Alright, If you think just a day’s trip will seem too rushed, very also think regarding doing either an adventure spanning two or adventure three solid days! Trekking? You bet. These will normally add chances regarding dipping under nearer landscapes; and just a higher degree here of personal time invested at select pueblos while also not skimming as close all that area surrounding so seemingly rapidly instead!

Is that what’s amazing. The advantage that comes together under extended spells in and throughout can really deliver deeper ties directly alongside of culture around plus perhaps much easier ways regarding becoming modified into dealing properly from situations up highly over terrain up tall! Just always consider matching a thing similar in scale and as of such effort from all this which may perhaps match more nearly toward the degree most optimally desirable through a possible hike being just done really up that Canyon alright instead!

Final Thoughts

Thus that particular full-day option, really stands as being very good when just squeezed through such an interval however one finds it also requires forethought in conjunction especially if high elevations cause struggles since proper adjustments often require prioritizing alongside being smart whilst scheduling trips particularly when they might include physical rigor alright up high really then indeed.