From Arequipa: 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno

The best thing about this tour is that it turns a long Arequipa to Puno transfer into a proper highland experience. You’ll see the huge Colca Canyon, old towns, volcanoes, and Andean wildlife instead of spending the whole trip simply getting from one city to the next.

I like the small group limit of 17 people, which should make roadside stops and guide commentary easier than on a large coach. I also like the Calera hot springs, a welcome chance to rest after the first day’s high-altitude driving. The main drawback is that the price does not include lunches, dinner, the canyon entrance fee, or the hot springs ticket, so your final cost will be higher than $103.

Key points to know before booking

• Cruz del Condor is the main event: You’ll visit the best-known viewpoint in the itinerary and have a chance to see condors riding the canyon’s air currents.
• The tour ends in Puno: This is useful if you are moving between southern Peru’s two major bases and do not want to return to Arequipa.
• Calera hot springs reach 35 to 38 C: Bring what you need for a swim, though the bath visit is optional and costs extra.
• Your overnight stop is Chivay: The included hotel is rated two stars and has a private bathroom.
• Entry fees change by nationality: The Colca Canyon ticket is S/70 for most foreign visitors, S/40 for Latin American citizens, and S/20 for Peruvians.
• Altitude matters: This trip is not suitable for people with altitude sickness, and the route includes long highland drives.

Why this Arequipa to Puno route makes sense

Arequipa and Puno are both major stops in southern Peru, but the journey between them can feel like a travel chore. This two-day route gives you a reason to break it up. You leave your hotel in downtown Arequipa, spend the night in Chivay, see the Colca Canyon the next morning, and continue to a downtown Puno hotel.

That arrangement is the tour’s strongest practical feature. You are not making a separate round trip from Arequipa just to see the canyon. Instead, the sightseeing forms part of your transfer.

The experience is best understood as a scenic touring trip, not a strenuous canyon hike. The plan focuses on viewpoints, towns, hot springs, and guided stops. If you want a multi-day trek down into Colca Canyon, this is not that kind of outing. If you want to see the area without planning several separate buses and hotel stays, it is much more convenient.

The guide speaks English or Spanish, and transportation is provided for the full route from Arequipa through Colca to Puno. With a maximum group size of 17, you get a shared tour without the scale of a full-size sightseeing bus.

Day 1: From Arequipa’s center to Chivay

The first morning begins with pickup at your hotel in downtown Arequipa. From there, the trip heads into the countryside toward Chivay, the main town used as the base for visits to Colca Canyon.

The change in scenery is one of the pleasures of this route. You leave Arequipa’s city streets behind and enter open highland country, with views of volcanoes and the chance to see llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas. These animals are part of the visual character of the region, although sightings are never guaranteed.

The route also gives you a look at colonial towns and local customs. Traditional clothing and folklore are part of the cultural side of the trip, which helps keep the experience from becoming only a series of scenic photo stops. Your guide can add context in English or Spanish as you pass through the area.

Once you reach Chivay, you check into the included hotel. The accommodation is a two-star property with a private bathroom. That tells you what to expect: a basic overnight stop rather than a luxury retreat. For one night, it should suit people who care more about location and an organized route than elaborate hotel facilities.

Lunch is not included, so plan to pay separately. The stated meal options begin at about S/25 per person, although the amount you spend depends on what you order. You should also budget for dinner, which is not included either.

Calera hot springs: A useful break at 35 to 38 C

After lunch, the tour visits the hot springs at Calera. The water is described as thermal and medicinal, with temperatures between 35 and 38 C. That is warm enough for a relaxing soak without being an extreme hot spring experience.

I like this stop because it breaks up the first day. Highland sightseeing can involve long stretches in a vehicle, and a warm bath gives you a chance to rest before the overnight stay in Chivay. It is also a more active stop than simply pulling over for photographs.

The hot springs are optional, and the entrance ticket costs S/15. Bring suitable swimwear and a towel if you plan to go in. The tour information does not state whether towel rental is available, so you should not count on it.

You should also treat the bath as a pleasant extra rather than the central purpose of the tour. If you prefer to keep costs down, you can skip the S/15 ticket. If you enjoy hot springs and want some downtime after the road journey, this is one of the better-value additions to the day.

After the visit, you spend the night in Chivay. Because the itinerary does not provide exact departure and arrival times, check the schedule when booking and keep your evening plans flexible.

Day 2: Cruz del Condor and the Colca Canyon

The second day begins with breakfast at the hotel. Breakfast is included, which is useful because lunch and dinner are not. After eating, you travel to the Cruz del Condor viewpoint.

This is the trip’s signature stop. From the viewpoint, you look across the great Colca Canyon and watch for Andean condors flying above and around the cliffs. These large birds often use rising air to glide, so the best part of the experience is patience. You may see them quickly, or you may need to wait and scan the sky.

The canyon itself is the main reason to choose this route. It is one of the deepest canyons in the world, and the viewpoint gives you scale without requiring a long hike. You can enjoy the sight even if you are not a serious walker, though the high altitude and road travel still make this a demanding day for anyone who reacts badly to elevation.

Do not treat a condor sighting as guaranteed. The itinerary promises the chance to look for them, not a fixed wildlife show. The canyon views remain worthwhile even if the birds keep their distance.

The viewpoint can also be the busiest-feeling part of the trip because it is the main attraction. A small group helps, but you are still sharing a popular scenic stop with other people. Keep your expectations focused on the setting and the possibility of seeing condors, not on having the viewpoint to yourself.

Scenic stops, colonial towns, and Andean wildlife

On the return toward Chivay, the guide makes stops to show you more of the region. The emphasis is on scenery, local towns, traditional costumes, folklore, and views of volcanoes.

This part of the itinerary gives the canyon visit some needed context. You see that Colca is not just a dramatic gorge. It is also a lived-in highland region, with towns and long-standing local traditions. The tour’s cultural details are relatively brief, but they add meaning to the drive between the major viewpoints.

The route also offers further chances to look for llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas. Each animal has a different appearance, and seeing them in the open countryside is more memorable than finding them only in a city attraction. Still, wildlife sightings depend on conditions and luck.

Lunch on Day 2 is also at your own expense. Meal options are available from about S/25 per person, so add at least that amount to your budget. The exact stop and menu are not specified, which means you should think of lunch as a practical break rather than a featured food experience.

After the sightseeing and lunch, you board the vehicle for the transfer to Puno. The tour then drops you at your hotel in downtown Puno. That final hotel drop-off is important: you do not have to arrange a second taxi or find your way across town after a long day on the road.

What the $103 price really covers

At $103 per person, the tour offers solid value if you already need to get from Arequipa to Puno. The cost includes downtown pickup in Arequipa, two days of an English- or Spanish-speaking guide, tourist transportation through Colca to Puno, one night in Chivay, breakfast, and downtown drop-off in Puno.

The price becomes less attractive if you are only interested in visiting the canyon and plan to return to Arequipa. In that case, the one-way transfer to Puno is a benefit you may not use. For a route between the two cities, though, the package saves you from arranging transport, a hotel, and canyon sightseeing on your own.

Budget for these additional costs:

• Colca Canyon entry: S/70 for most foreign visitors
• Colca Canyon entry: S/40 for Latin American citizens
• Colca Canyon entry: S/20 for Peruvians
• Calera hot springs: S/15, optional
• Lunch and dinner: not included
• Meals generally start at about S/25 per person

For many international visitors, the canyon entrance fee is the largest extra charge. Add it before comparing this tour with another option, since a lower advertised price may not include the same items.

The included private bathroom is another small but useful value point. It is not a high-end hotel stay, but you get a proper room for the night rather than an overnight bus or a very bare shared arrangement.

Is the pace comfortable?

The route covers a lot in two days, and the transfer to Puno makes the second day especially important. You will spend substantial time on the road, with sightseeing stops built around the main route.

That pace suits you if you want an efficient overview. It is less suitable if you prefer slow mornings, long meals, or extended time in each town. The schedule is designed to connect major sights and a city transfer, not to let you settle into one place.

Altitude is the key comfort issue. The tour specifically warns that it is not suitable for people with altitude sickness. You should take that seriously. The itinerary reaches highland areas, and even the most beautiful viewpoint is not enjoyable if you are struggling physically.

You may also want to avoid packing this tour too tightly between other fixed plans. Exact starting times depend on availability, and the route includes several stops plus the final transfer. Leave room in your schedule when you arrive in Puno.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this tour if you want three things in one plan: a Colca Canyon visit, a night in Chivay, and transportation onward to Puno. It is particularly useful for people building a southern Peru itinerary around Arequipa, Colca, and Lake Titicaca.

It also suits you if you prefer a guide and organized transport rather than managing several local connections. The small group limit is a good middle ground, offering more structure than independent travel without the size of a mass-market coach tour.

The tour is less suitable if you want a serious canyon hike, high-end lodging, or a food-focused experience. It is also a poor fit if you have altitude sickness or dislike long road journeys.

The published rating is 4.2 from 17 reviews, a generally positive result, but the number is small. I would base your decision mainly on the route and inclusions rather than expecting a luxury experience. The main strengths are the useful city-to-city transfer, canyon viewpoint, hot springs option, and guided access to a complicated highland region.

Should you book the Colca Canyon tour to Puno?

Book it if you are already planning to travel from Arequipa to Puno and want to turn that transfer into a scenic two-day trip. The combination of Cruz del Condor, Calera hot springs, Chivay, and guided transport gives you a lot for the base price.

Skip it if you need a relaxed schedule, want to hike into the canyon, or are worried about altitude. Also compare the final cost after adding the canyon ticket, meals, and optional hot springs entrance.

For the right itinerary, this is a practical and worthwhile way to see Colca Canyon without doubling back to Arequipa.

FAQ

How long is the Colca Canyon tour?

The experience lasts two days. Starting times depend on availability.

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup is provided from your hotel in downtown Arequipa.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends with drop-off at your hotel in downtown Puno.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Tourist transportation is included from Arequipa through Colca Canyon to Puno.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. One night in a two-star hotel in Chivay is included, with a private bathroom.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. Breakfast on the second day in Chivay is included.

Are meals included?

No. Lunch and dinner are not included. Meal options are available from about S/25 per person.

How much is the Colca Canyon entrance fee?

The fee is S/70 for foreign visitors, S/40 for Latin American citizens, and S/20 for Peruvians.

Is the Calera hot springs visit included?

No. The hot springs visit is optional and costs S/15. The water temperature ranges from 35 to 38 C.