Colca Canyon Full Day Tour: Is it Worth it? A Detailed Review
Thinking about squeezing a full day Colca Canyon tour into your Peru trip? That impressive canyon definitely has a spot on many traveler’s lists, and it’s not difficult to see why. The gorgeous landscape is so full of promise! But is it, arguably, the greatest use of your limited time? That’s the question, right? Having done the whirlwind tour myself, I’m so going to share my experiences and offer some insight to hopefully make your choice a bit clearer.
What to anticipate on your Colca Canyon full day tour
Most Colca Canyon full-day tours are so going to kick off super early, usually around 3:00 AM. Yes, really! I know that sounds brutal, but, like, it’s all in an attempt to, well, maximize the day, you know? You’ll get picked up from your Arequipa lodging, that’s very nice, and then, the ride begins. Now, expect about a four-hour bus ride to get to Chivay, which is kind of a gateway town to the canyon.
That trip might be the toughest part, honestly. The roads tend to be twisty, and it’s pretty dark too it’s almost impossible to truly see anything outside until you’re properly getting closer. I recommend getting your beauty rest as best you’re able or can. Seriously, download an offline movie! You can catch up on some Zzz’s. Many tours sometimes incorporate a stop for breakfast in Chivay. This offers a small chance to, very, stretch your legs and get some sustenance before going deeper into the canyon. Once you’re well fed, it is very back onto the bus to seriously continue the exploration.
One of the largest highlights, clearly, of that tour happens to be Condor Cross, or “Cruz del Condor.” Very few sights compete with those majestic birds soaring, as a matter of fact. This location offers, maybe, one of the very best views into the canyon, but that also has its downside – expect huge crowds, actually. Is that the only stop you ask? Absolutely not! Tours commonly include little visits to several villages such as Yanque and Maca. Those spots really display the local cultures. Also, you can see some ancient terraces that date way back to the pre-Inca period! They’re still used in modern farming even.
Toward the close of the afternoon, pretty much, the tour very heads back to Arequipa. Many times, the operator includes a stop at a spot with thermal springs (for which you often need to pay extra). After having soaked and then relaxed a bit, you are going to jump back in the transport to ride a few more hours to finally reach Arequipa. Is that journey long? Yeah, very! Most of them last around 12 to 14 hours! Getting back, often, to Arequipa around 6:00 or 7:00 PM is completely usual.
Advantages of Doing a Full-Day Colca Canyon Tour
So, why opt for such an ambitious schedule? What might be those benefits? First, maybe the main appeal might be sheer convenience, of course. For visitors strapped for time, you see, that tour offers a snippet of the canyon. Is that glimpse detailed? No. Still, it manages, arguably, to give a very solid taste without cutting too much into the rest of your itinerary. Are you the type to value experiences that feel efficient? In that case, the rushed itinerary could appeal!
That tour could be a way to see if you want to come back and stay longer as well. Second, in fact, there’s a social aspect involved that really makes that experience shine. I had some brilliant moments just chatting with travelers coming from many places all around the world! Sometimes those impromptu conversations wind up enriching the entire trip! I mean, yeah, okay, maybe you do need to enjoy the company of total randoms and that also does increase the odds of running into not-so-interesting total randoms.
That tour brings some seriously logistical stuff sorted, like your transport. The company plans routes for you. Basically, someone else is seriously handling things like breakfast spots, entrance fees, and drop-off points. It is going to lift a huge weight off you if you usually want the support. Especially, I am just going to say, on vacations.
Drawbacks: What You should think about
Let’s be, frankly, for real – there are many major drawbacks. The fast pace felt quite exhausting. You will feel literally running the entire day and just scratching the canyon’s surface. It felt too rushed for the sheer travel time required, frankly. Also, what makes me want to go another time might dissuade a lot of other folks – the serious early wake-up.
Waking up before the sun rises will be challenging. Especially, after spending a day exploring other altitudes from around Arequipa! Be completely sure you’re the type that’s really able to get up very, very early! Because skipping it, due to being completely sleepy, is very not the business. I also noticed that that sort of “snapshot” tour could turn very superficial in its cultural interactions. Like, I barely spent more than maybe half an hour in each village.
Most folks didn’t even wander away from our specific “touristy” group, instead of walking around completely separately. To be completely honest, some might be interested in having this very managed exploration, it’s all I am going to say. You will definitely feel shepherded, at that point, and just a little limited if you often favor more depth when experiencing things, clearly. Last but not least? If you didn’t prepare for altitude sickness? Then there is more potential that it is going to affect you seriously because you’re going to go all the way up.
Other options for your Colca Canyon Visit
So, maybe, what exactly are those choices if a rapid-fire tour is going to be, seriously, really very unpleasant, even after what I shared? A multi-day trek into Colca Canyon really might be the very best substitute! These routes normally last around two to four days, actually.
What is the perk of the multi day hikes? You just might get so immersed, not as much feeling that pressure that requires you to watch a timer every half-hour, you know? Instead, that experience really allows so much freedom for you to deeply examine many regions, such as the small local villages way, way, way away from major visitor centers, so too, and you get a huge physical workout. Most itineraries would take you way down to the canyon bottom as well, often offering stunning sights on your adventure.
However, remember! Those expeditions call for a little more preparation regarding physical fitness too, it’s almost important. Do you tend to hate those really demanding treks? In that case, you might like renting vehicles so you’re able to design your little route to experience a slower rhythm, still enjoying great flexibility and that personal contact that brings people back.
My Recommendations
Should I say, at that point, when taking the entire tour in that rapid form, that it felt pretty rushed to take in this area? It totally made me wonder about whether other, longer explorations were very worthwhile instead. The whirlwind trip can serve a great way to introduce anyone strapped with restricted timelines while other alternatives just might add richer moments that really allow visitors such deep encounters and appreciation!
For individuals who, you know, do prefer those tours because they work a little better? Get everything packed strategically! Those mornings come way early; you need those motion-sickness tablets way more! It really would improve that time in general, as well, with lots of layers prepared for temperature variances so you stay so comfy, honestly. Bring small amounts if those shops in the pueblos do end up getting crowded, okay?
Remember! The views reward you! Try talking some to get yourself into the culture a tad deeper and, just, most importantly? Enjoy whatever moments happen at random when touring! Try learning stuff on what grows everywhere! I liked, especially, learning every name those pueblos used locally while interacting during conversations about various things grown within those stepped farming plots!
If you intend to stay there? I just suggest not taking everything solely, but rather connecting yourself with someone! Whether they are the neighborhood family at homestays, guides within smaller outfits based only from some distant settlement there somewhere — their viewpoints usually create even brighter memories after these long travels!