Learn Spanish in Cusco, Peru

Arequipa and the Colca Canyon

Arequipa is after Cusco without doubt the most attractive city in South-Peru: beautiful, clean, vibrant and the sun is almost always shining. In the shadow of volcanoes El Misti (5825 meters) and Chachani (6075) the ‘White City’ also literally has a shady side: it’s very likely that El Misti will erupt one day.

But for now you’ll have a very pleasant stay in this proud city, whose inhabitants tried to separate from the rest of Peru in the past. They created for example their own currency and passport. A visit to the museum of ‘Juanita, the ice princess’ or the monastery of Santa Catalina is for many one of the highlights of their journey, and a visit to nearby Colca Canyon with its condors will be just that for everyone!

Tip: don’t do an organized city tour; while you can visit the most important spots easily yourself. Ask for our reality tour Arequipa instead!

The Colca Canyon: deeper than the Grand Canyon

The Colca Canyon is not only one of worlds’ deepest canyons with an overwhelming panorama and ditto nature; it’s also the best place in the world to see the condor, worlds’ largest flying bird, in free nature. A grown male can weigh up to 12 kilos, measure around 1.3 meters and reach a span width of about 3.5 meters. He can fly at an altitude of around 7000 meters with a velocity of 55 kilometers per hour and can get 100 years old. From Venezuela to Tierra del Fuego the condor flies at an unreachable altitude above our heads, but near the Cruz del Condor he often passes by at a distance of barely 10 meters!

Colca Canyon by bus

We’ll pick you up from your hotel and drive in about 4,5 hours to our hotel in the Colca Canyon. The journey is beautiful: we climb up to a pass of 4800 meters with a panorama on the source of the Amazon River and descend towards the Colca Valley. On the way we’ll see herds of domesticated llamas and alpacas and also the very rare vicuña.
After recovering a bit from the altitude in our hotel or an optional hike (see also frequently asked questions, health and altitude), we end the day in a delightful hot spring.

The next day we drive early in the morning to the Cruz del Condor, the place where you can spot the bird really well. Afterwards, we return to Arequipa, but with some interesting stops along the way and plenty of opportunities for photo stops!

• Departure: around 7:30am
• Prices: group tour: from $ 76
• private tour: depending on the number of persons
• Included: transport and transfers, breakfast day 2, English-speaking guide, overnight stay in a hotel (you can choose between different hotel types)
• Not included: entrance fees: National Park $26, hot springs: S/. 15

Please contact us for prices private tours, reservations and different hotel options

Also possible:

• - leaving from and returning to Cusco, included busses and 2 extra nights in Arequipa: from $ 211
• -3-days tour to the Colca Canyon
• - instead of returning, continue your trip to Puno

Trekking in the Colca Canyon

Another possibility is to do a 2-days hike: descend into the Colca Canyon. Also included is a visit to the Cruz del Condor. From $ 71, not included entrance fees.

Please ask us for more information!