Colca Canyon Day Trip: Is This Arequipa Tour Worth It?

Okay, you’re thinking about visiting Colca Canyon while you’re in Arequipa, right? And you’ve probably seen that “Offer Price Colca Canyon One Day in Arequipa with Breakfast” deal floating around, is that correct? I get it. You’re short on time, you want to see some dramatic views, and maybe, just maybe, spot a majestic condor, right? But is a whirlwind day trip actually worth the hype – or just a recipe for travel burnout, do you think? We’ll examine it closely to assist you to work out if this journey hits the spot, is that alright?

First Impressions: Booking and What to Expect, Almost

Booking tours in Arequipa can seem, like, overwhelming to some degree. You will see little stands plastered with enticing pictures pretty well all over the Plaza de Armas, but so too, numerous websites, and hotels. It’s always a bit of a gamble deciding who to trust, almost. Usually, “Offer Price Colca Canyon One Day in Arequipa with Breakfast” tours, seemingly, get your attention because, basically, of their appealing cost, isn’t it? You might book it online through, say, a reseller, or you can just book it through a street vendor, more or less.

What you are normally promised is this: very early morning pickup (think around 3 a.m. – yeah, it’s brutal), some basic breakfast, stops at different viewpoints on the drive to the canyon, and of course, a glimpse of the Cruz del Cóndor where, basically, you hopefully see condors soaring, right? Throw in stops at some little villages along the way, maybe a soak in hot springs (for an extra fee), and that’s your day, kind of, isn’t it? You’re promised a return to Arequipa around 6 p.m., very tired but with fantastic images, it seems. On paper, this all sounds amazing, to a certain degree.

The Good, The Bad, and The Very Early: Breaking Down the Day

The Early Start: Okay, let’s address the 3 a.m. wake-up call, as I was saying. It’s not fun, but, basically, it is almost essential. Why? To cover those miles while the roads are quiet and get to the Cruz del Cóndor in time for the condors’ morning flights. Keep this in mind; if you struggle on short sleep, well you can pre-empt this by simply going to bed earlier the prior day. This bit isn’t exactly amazing, anyway.

The Drive: Be ready for an extended ride, in fact. Colca Canyon isn’t just around the corner from Arequipa, really. That’s hours and hours on winding mountain roads. The views are nice, so bring your camera, right? But if you have any car sickness issues, ensure you have meds ready because, like, those hairpin turns might make you uncomfortable, almost. You might be tempted to sleep, yet, taking pictures of the views that pop up just might be worth it.

The Breakfast: So, the “breakfast included” thing, to be honest, is rather simple. Usually, that’s bread rolls, jam, maybe some coca tea to fight altitude issues, isn’t it? Do not expect a massive buffet, that’s right. Carry snacks in the event you are the type that eats a lot for breakfast because, just, that small meal may not take you to lunch.

Cruz del Cóndor: This is the major reason the vast majority take the journey, is that right? Seeing those massive condors soar majestically on the thermals… well, just hopefully. Condor sightings are never a guarantee, and the area tends to get pretty crowded. You’ll be packed with other tourists all trying to grab the picture, and so the atmosphere could get a bit insane. Still, assuming you get to actually view a condor, that is worth the trip.

Village Stops: The tours usually stop at a few small villages like Chivay or Yanque. These are neat little towns to stretch your legs, get some photos, and pick up some local crafts, to some degree. Nevertheless, the stops are often brief, giving you just a taste of village life, you understand?

Optional Hot Springs: Quite a few tours provide the option to visit hot springs, commonly for an additional cost, aren’t they? Assuming that you’re up for it, that is usually relaxing to chill a bit. just bear in mind the extra fee along with the time it requires far from the main sights.

Considering the Cost: Is the “Offer Price” Really Worth It?

Here is the thing regarding these super-low “offer prices,” is that correct? The advertised price, sometimes, does not include some extra costs. Entry to Colca Canyon itself carries a fee (the “boleto turistico”), plus so many of these tours toss in lunch (which you are going to require) at an extra expense. Think about those expenses as you compare to some other trip offers. Factor the total cost as you consider value, as I was saying.

Then ask yourself this: what is your time worth, basically? The one-day tour shoves pretty much everything into a very long day. Can you spend a bit more on, say, a two-day tour? Doing this would result in a calmer speed, giving you time to truly value the canyon and locations with no racing around so much. Spending some additional bucks is worthwhile should you detest feeling hurried, kind of.

The Altitude Factor: Don’t Forget to Acclimatize, Clearly

Colca Canyon is actually HIGH – higher up as compared to Arequipa itself, alright? So, spending at least one or two days in Arequipa to get used to the altitude makes sense prior to trying a day tour is wise, right? Coca tea helps, really, as does taking it easy on your first day. Know the warning signs of altitude sickness (headache, dizziness, breathlessness) so that you acknowledge when to seek care. If perhaps you have heart issues, that is worth seeing your doctor first prior to scheduling this expedition, wouldn’t you say?

Alternatives: Other Ways to See Colca Canyon, Too

If the one-day tour does not sound perfect, you still have a few options, isn’t that so?

• Two or Three-Day Tours: Okay, so these present a less intense option, wouldn’t you say? You are granted additional time hiking into the canyon, going to more distant villages, and having a slower speed in general, that is correct. Doing this really allows you to absorb much more, frankly.
• Independent Travel: It’s possible to reach Colca Canyon on your own by public transport, wouldn’t you agree? Meaning, you set your timetable, remain in the villages for much longer that interests you, and also skip the spots that are not on your bucket list. This presents a lot more logistical job, but greater control, I’d say.
• Consider a Trek: For the hikers amongst us, what about an organized multi-day trek, right? These usually get you down into the canyon itself, to get personal while using the landscapes plus villages away far from the traveler throngs, right?

Final Verdict: Is the “Offer Price” Colca Canyon One Day Tour Right for You? Really?

So, who is this tour suitable for, anyway?

• Travelers Short on Time: Assuming that you have got simply a day, and you really wish to visit Colca Canyon, it shows you the top locations at high speed, to some degree.
• Budget Travelers: If you are trying to save some money and merely are interested in a basic taste with the Canyon, the tour meets expectations in that region.

Nevertheless, realize the compromises: it really is a seriously long day, with not much time on virtually any spot. You need to accept you might not even witness condors. Be well prepared for many further charges on your way. Consider whether or not you will be a lot better provided with a more time period or tailored encounter. This is all it boils down to, isn’t it?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the breakfast included sufficient?

The breakfast usually is pretty basic. Bread, jam, and coca tea. It’s probably a smart move to take additional snack foods.

Will I definitely see condors?

Condor sightings aren’t certain. The ideal opportunity is typically each morning, however there are certainly no guarantees. Weather conditions can affect this, just a little.

Should I book ahead of time?

You don’t really must book very far ahead of time. Nevertheless, booking when you arrive to Arequipa delivers the capability to compare agencies.

Do I really need to acclimatize before going?

Seriously yes. Make an effort to invest one or two days throughout Arequipa prior to undertaking the Colca Canyon excursion to greatly reduce altitude sickness. It makes it a lot more interesting.

Hopefully, this is a lot more useful to assist you determining whether or not to reserve this unique offer. I would hope you will love Colca Canyon irrespective of precisely how you get there!

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