Arequipa’s Colca Canyon Tour: Is One Day Enough?
Thinking about seeing the Colca Canyon from Arequipa but only have a day? It’s quite the adventure to squeeze this natural beauty into a single trip. We are going to check out what you can expect from a one-day Colca Canyon experience. Plus, is it even worth doing or are you better off taking your time and going for a few days?
Early Start: The Arequipa to Colca Canyon Drive
The one-day Colca Canyon deal tends to begin super early, often around 3:00 AM. Just think, that means waking up when the world around you is still sound asleep! That initial part, riding from Arequipa, is long. That, the drive can clock in at about three to four hours, give or take, too it’s almost all before sunrise. It might sound awful, but honestly, dozing off on the ride can work for catching up on lost shuteye. You might be a little tired as you’re climbing to viewpoints such as Patapampa Pass.
Something to think about, the darkness kind of hides some of the scenery in the early hours. But when the sun does decide to greet the day, well, the landscapes start to unfold, painting this picture outside your car window that might actually wow you. You might want to try to catch a peek out your window, even if you feel all sleepy.
Condor Cross: A Birdwatcher’s Dream
The real main thing, is the Condor Cross (Cruz del Condor). It’s usually the highlight of just about everyone’s canyon visit. Reaching there normally happens in the morning. A mass of tourists starts gather, cameras held up, all waiting with anticipation. Then, very slowly, so there is this moment of suspense. Those majestic condors show up.
You’re talking ginormous wingspans. Picture the feeling that washes over you, as these powerful birds take flight right in front of you. A bit of info for you, condors prefer to fly at certain times of day to make the most of thermal currents. It is that something you will want to catch.
As a note for you, depending on your luck with the weather on any specific day, they may or may not choose to perform. While it’s not promised, it’s quite likely these amazing animals will appear. Any view, very canyon and condor connected, would prove a bit striking if it occurs. I have heard tell of others that only saw that one bird, yet claim that one alone made this that day quite worth it, in some respects.
Exploring the Canyon Towns
After checking out condors, the group tends to continue to a series of small towns inside the canyon. Places like Yanque and Maca offer this appealing insight to everyday life in the Colca. You have the option to roam their plazas. Get looks at some old churches, arguably marvels from colonial times. You might try the local foods.
One good spot to consider might be the hot springs nearby. It can turn into a tempting opportunity to sink into warm waters. A tad soothing for folks with tense travel muscles. Even though it is an express trip, it might make you pause, and just appreciate. Very those scenes of serene countryside from each scenic viewpoint may also offer pause to think, too.
Many report just enjoying how unhurried things seemed to be there in each area, different when set against bigger places. Very, they could almost be a step backward in time for the tourists. I gather the chance to simply wander about for a while turns out a lovely one.
Is a One-Day Tour Enough? The Pros and Cons
So, let’s look, is it truly possible to see Colca Canyon adequately within a single day? The plus side turns out that it gives a person short on vacation time a sample of things found within this gorgeous site. But it turns into a hectic approach.
More or less, here are a couple points worth considering:
- Upside: Suitable, for those pushed on schedule; catches essential parts just like Condor Cross.
- Downside: Hurried feeling with quite some travel involved. Might cause a person to want further explorations.
- Things You Miss: Trek opportunities; exploring remote pueblos or a broader sample relating to cultural background.
In order to dig a little bit deeper within Colca’s backyard turns out best through taking more leisurely several-day approach to trekking. A good trek is not really possible on any one day visit.
Tips for Making the Most of Your One-Day Trip
Assuming you’re doing a one-day jaunt, the best choice for the best visit calls on being extra savvy. In short, prepare wisely. This should involve items for high altitudes. Layers to tackle cool mornings/ evenings turn quite wise to include. Perhaps some robust sunscreen, just like any hat, very shades.
You might find the quick shift during changing altitudes gets your stomach a bit mixed up; bring anything by ways relating to headache remedy just in case you are too likely prone towards motion related problems from any winding travels upon those roadways! Very ensure that power pack or cellphone gets charged well the prior nights that should preserve many photo shoots.
Most importantly for you, have a flexible approach about how you go forward while still taking delight about such stunning scenes which you view even from behind those quick glances out from either car or simply roadside stop that will bring this thing most full round. The more upbeat which one tends being at capturing instants could very lead down trails revealing genuine jewels inside brief yet beautiful adventure found in Colca! Here are things to bring.
- Layered clothing is essential due the changing climates with canyon setting
- Good for sunblock since sun does become intensive at increased elevations; bring hat alongside sunglasses together.
- Keep altitude sickness medications in preparedness of preventing altitude relating challenges .
- Keep phone quite ready accompanied together power backup meant picture purposes together memories!
Choosing the Right Tour Operator
Your touring group choice influences what feelings which are related from entire experience. Explore what past adventurers mention by looking through online overviews regarding firms, in fact! Seek firms renowned given great management qualities very possessing well savvy bilingual facilitators, that!
Ensure any schedule gets fully set forth too what measures which occur to benefit responsible explorer habits for having the canyons protected as sacred zone together! Discuss what exactly which gets contained via arrangement from dining too admission discounts while picking through tour operators therefore you find an acceptable setting towards travel! If ever you feel to ask too they fail to answer at a convincing way, move for choosing whom listens through needs.
Those perfect guides aren’t just any talkative faces since we will discover them extremely fond for everything encompassing our zone which these protect really so. This might very transfer more insights or enthusiasm over each aspect explored throughout tour experience!
Personal Reflections: My Colca Canyon Experience
I figured I could share one thing related how an earlier Colca Canyon run transformed to something that I recall, in a way. Even when it felt rushed, such intensity linked during those brief peeks as that sun set against a backdrop over vast peaks, were things amazing! Even within crowded tour busses you come across fellow folks or travelers all swapping histories from near or faraway territories adding new colors inside journey as what will unfold. Okay, very moments relating how I captured those pictures of those massive flying birds at that peak where people gathered at, very remains still sharp! But next time what will arise will be setting longer dates from explorations in those slopes together into hidden trails.
Don’t misunderstand though the limited window I experienced for all the sites didn’t turn regrettable but it did increase a will aimed experiencing far additional which any future trips ought give!! These adventures very present something quite meaningful even via glimpses allowing greater depth that’s discovered within us which is too crave for venturing outside boundaries just through our own limits.
Alternatives to a One-Day Tour
Should one lack in satisfaction for taking express Colca experiences after you view many potentials left to taste! Spend more in hiking paths giving fuller touch involving natural landscapes along into tiny communities whom take home here!! Those multiple excursions or excursions, usually turn planned in relation regarding different agility grades which one finds matching against abilities allowing explorers becoming thoroughly lost into those settings.
You, like your choice to choose those homestead tours from in those areas enables genuine touches over traditions with folk tales with Colca culture where stories stay animated for visitors for getting connected across heritage which gets well treasured at this site! Otherwise try considering those bike rentals at seeking different panorama settings as biking around some winding slopes while getting to visit old archaeological sides where mysteries do call back!
Budget and What to Expect to Pay
How low or extremely top finish what does it involve? This turns crucial during considering plans that align inside anyone finances related touring packages around within region.
Any day’s tours at those regular prices in all likely averages across almost somewhere within US$50-US$80 for a person by something encompassing traveling as guides as numerous stopping alongside some minor dining selections that tend common place although rates can even become adjusted relating seasons coupled together just which firm conducts said journey.
If for having those various stay or more extended forms regarding discovering then remember allocating funds averaging up towards let just assume by near somewhere to $30 to roughly let say to that of maybe hundred’s for either per individual per dark counting into hostel setting instead very extravagant motel reservations and adding too that inside the meal associated budget to factor throughout those preferences coupled upon where specifically into we enjoy our lunches!!! So what goes a single day to any week might be anything under one hundred up at thousands really pending against levels or tastes over your liking into comfort when getting inside canyon settings for this location. It depends though so it may or may not occur depending if each gets mapped over expectations set.