TOUR COLCA CANYON AND CLIMB TO MOUNT CHACHANI $481 USD Per Person

Exploring Deep Culture And Mountaineering In Arequipa 4 Days - 3 Nights

Tour to Colca canyon and mount Chachani is one of the best alternatives for travelers looking for adventure mountaineering – This alternative includes nice guided trip to the second deepest canyon in the world and supported expedition to reach the summit of Chachani (6070M) considered the highest mountain located near of Arequipa – The tour package is design to get good acclimatize to altitude staying one night over 3600 meters (Colca canyon/Chivay) and then directly up to Chachani volcano.
Our experienced mountain guides recommend booking this trip to help you with a good performance to reach your objective.
COLCA CANYON - COLCA VALLEY - COLCA RIVER - CAÑON DEL COLCA
The name Colca refers to small holes in the cliffs in the valley and canyon. These holes were used in Inca and pre-Inca times to store food, such as potatoes and other Andean crops. They were also used as tombs for important people.
The geography of the Colca Canyon are habitable, and Inca and pre-Inca terraces are still cultivated along the less precipitous canyon walls; they build stepped terraces to cultivate the ancestral potatoes, maize and other products of this region. The Colca Valley is a wonderful and colorful Andean valley with many small and remotes towns on the both side of the Canyon founded by Spanish conquers. The Spanish introduce and change many ancestral traditions as the religion. The Colca Valley keeps many colonial richest churches in all Arequipa regions.
The canyon is home of the Andean Condor (Vultur Gryphus), they are can be seen at fairly close range as they fly through the precipices. The Condor is the main tourist attraction and can be seen at "Cruz Del Condor", is a popular tourist stop, the pass where the Condors soar gracefully on the rising thermals occurring as the air warms.
The Colca Canyon is located on the southern Peru in the Andes mountain range exist the second deepest canyon in the world, It is more than twice as deep as the Apurimac Canyon (Peru) and the Grand Canyon in the United States, the canyon's walls are not as vertical as those of the Grand Canyon. The Colca River birth in the Andes between Condoroma and Crucero Alto (above 4500-5000m), drops the water down to Pacific Ocean, this river have 4 names as Colca River, Andamayo River, Majes River and finally Camana River. The Colca Canyon register hard rain during December to April and the rest of the year is dry, sunny and cold weather.
The deepest part of the Colca Canyon is register between Ampato Mountain (6310m) and Coropuna snow-capped (6377m), on the left bank of the canyon exist a small town named Huambo and straight down of this town is located Cancco Valley (1720m) which is the greatest deep point that reaches a depth of 4590 meters.
NEVADO CHACHANI - CHACHANI VOLCANO - MOUNT CHACHANI - CHACHANI PEAK
Mount Chachani (6070M) is the highest near the city of Arequipa, a second large city in Peru – As a result of very low precipitation in the region of Arequipa, Chachani does not have permanent glaciers – Nevado Chachani is one of the easiest 6070 meters peak to climb in the world thanks to a road going up to 5000 meters which is easy to reach by 4WD – Climbing Chachani is popular and is considered highly challenging for those who are not fully acclimatized.
Condor Figure At The Condor Cross Lookout - Colca Canyon

TOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1: AREQUIPA - PATAPAMPA ANDEAN LOOKOUT 4850M - CHIVAY - HOT SPRING

Around 8am we will meet in your hotel of Arequipa and then start our daily private or shared guided tour to the second deepest canyon in the world, driving on the left side of Chachani mountain (6070m), continue going up to 4200m, is a Natural Reserve of Salinas and Aguada Blanca, is the nature habitat for the Vicuñas, one of South American camelidos, groups of Llamas, Alpacas, small lake (Bofedales), highlands views (Pata Pampa 4850m), snow caps and volcanoes, will stop every place to get short break getting pictures from all each place you like.
At 1pm we will arrive in Chivay town, located over 3600m, there you can choose any restaurant to get your lunch - Then we will supply the room according the selected hotel to leave your personal things/items and then transfer to La Calera thermal pools (45°C) and enjoy the outdoor or indoor pools until 6pm - The entrance to hot spring is not included in the tour price ($6 USD each) - Also here you can get massages for reasonable price.
At 7pm everyone (Private Service & Backpacker Service staying in Chivay) will meet the tour guide in the lobby of the hotel and then transfer to the planetarium Maria Reiche, this is located at Casa Andina Hotel (Chivay). We invite you to immerse in the mysteries of the Colca Valley sky and enjoy the performance Colca deep Canyon, deep sky. You can learn how the ancient inhabitants of the Andes interpreted the night sky according to their myths and beliefs. The performances include projecting constellations in the Planetarium dome as well as observing the stars of Colca`s sky through a professional telescope.
After the Planetarium you will transfer to selected restaurant to have your dinner accompanied with life Andean music show (L).
VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW
The visit to the planetarium is restricted for participants who choose to stay in hotels OUTSIDE Chivay, even if you book Backpacker or Private Service - The visit to the planetarium during the rainy season (December to April) is subject to changes of the weather conditions - PERU ADVENTURE TOURS is not responsible for weather changes or suspension of the event by the direct administration of the planetarium (Casa Andina Hotel - Chivay) - The payment made for the service of planetary will be refunded to each participant at the end of the tour/trek - We appreciate your understanding for any inconvenience that may arise.
BACKPACKER SERVICE (Join group/shared transport): After lunch the participants will have free time to rest until 4pm and then transfer to the thermal pools located 5 minutes driving from Chivay on the northeast (upper canyon). If you don’t like to visit the thermal pools you can walk around by yourself, the area is safety and easy to know where you are going.
PRIVATE SERVICE (Private guide/van): This service is the perfect option for people like to enjoy much more the canyon. The PERU ADVENTURE TOURS guides recommend departing from Arequipa early as possible (6am) and arrive to the canyon before thousands of tourist appears when they take the backpacker service.
This option offer you 2 hours maximum of trekking around the canyon, we recommend to do the trekking before lunch, according the weather condition and if the location of the hotel permit. If you choose the hotel out Chivay you need to consider the time we spend to get there. Sometime the participants of Private VIP Service choose hotels as:
COLLAHUAS INN HOTEL: they are located in Yanque town (let bank of the Colca River), just 10 minutes from Chivay and transfer is taking a good paved road.
COLCA LODGE HOTEL: this located on the right bank of Colca River, just in from of Yanque town. The transfer from Chivay to this hotel takes around 40 minutes and following a gravel road. This hotel have available access to the private thermal pools (hot spring) next of Colca River (rec).
LAS CASISTAS DEL COLCA HOTEL: this hotel is one of the nicer and good location on the left bank of the river, to get there we need to drive from Chivay to Yanque and then gravel road through agriculture terraces. The transfer takes around 30 minutes. PERU ADVENTURE TOURS really recommends staying at this hotel.
All participants chose to stay in any hotel mentioned above don’t include the visit to the Planetarium Maria Reiche and the thermal pools (hot spring) of La Celera - Chivay.

OPTIONAL: Before or after lunch you can combine horseback riding or downhill bike trip around the canyon. Those activities need to be confirmed at booking time.
This tour activity is dedicated just for participants chose the hotel to stay in Chivay and Private VIP Service only because each activity demands around 3 hours.
COLCA ZIP LINING $50 USD Per Person
Experience the newest extreme adventure over 4000 feet on the Colca River - This trip takes around 1 hour including safety instructions and equipped - This tour can be booked one day before in our local office of Arequipa.
HORSEBACK RIDING TOUR $55 USD Per Person
This tour Includes nice ride around the canyon, through full agriculture terraces and the little town of Yanque. This tour enquires two participants minimum.
DONWHILL MOUNTAIN BIKE TOUR $55 USD Per Person
The downhill MTB version can be done from Patapampa lookout (4850 m.a.s.l) to Chivay (3400 m.a.s.l). This is pure donwhill on asphalt road or you can try some single track along the Inca path. This is nice bike option for experienced bikers and beginner want's to enjoy amazing view and biking on Andes towards the Colca canyon.
Waiting For Condors In The Colca Canyon

DAY 2: CHIVAY TOWN - COLCA CANYON - CONDOR CROSS VIEWPOINT - CHIVAY

At 6AM is the breakfast and travel 2 hours on our transportation to the famous Condor Cross, at this place is possible to appreciate the fly of Condors or sometimes seating on the big rocks, two hours spending looking this amazing and biggest bird in the world, also there are many villages at the deep part of this spectacular Canyon.
At 10am we drive back to Chivay, stopping on the way back getting nice views of the river and Colca valley, colony churches, handicraft markets, green villages on the both banks of the canyon and local's people working the ancient's pre Incas terraces.
Around 12pm arrive to Chivay to have lunch included and then free time for personal activities as visit the local handicraft market, etc.
Free afternoon to walk around or optional visit the thermal baths for second time – Over night at this town, in a comfortable hotel (B - L). Dinner is not included.

DAY 3: CHIVAY - PATAWASI - PAMPAS CAÑAHUAS NATIONAL RESERVE - CHACHANI BASE CAMP

At 8AM will be breakfast served on the hotel and then transfer by private van or public bus (according your request) to Patawasi (4200m), this travel takes 3 hours to the point where we will meet the second team to climb the Misti volcano (porter, mountain guide and 4x4). From Patawasi will use our 4x4 to the reach the base of Misti, on way we stop in the national reserve of Aguada Blanca and Salinas, where it is possible to observe the wonderful animals called Vicuñas, Guanacos, Eagles, Viscachas, Deer and sometimes Condors. Living at 4000 meters above sea level, they are protected species by the government and all the communities surrounding the reserve and Chachani Mountain.
After cross the National Reserve of Aguada Blanca And Salinas, continue of Off Road tour on serpentine road we get 5000m in our 4x4. After packing our camping and climbing gear and then 2 hours hike on the stony path up to the base camp, located at 5400m named Asufrero. Set up tents and nice view of sunset over mountainous and volcanic range. Hot dinner and spend the night in four season tents under starry sky (B - L - D).
Chachani Nevado 6070M

DAY 4: CHACHANI BASE CAMP - CHACHANI SUMMIT 6070M - AREQUIPA

At 2 or 4AM wake-up time depending on how is the weather and after a hot energetic breakfast we start the climb to the summit. If Chachani is completely covered by the snow, we take all our necessary climbing equipment. From the base camp to Chachani summit (6070m) takes between 4 - 6 hours doing slow steps and battling with the altitude. After reaching the top, there we stay for a nice time getting spectacular views of the landscapes of Coropuna, Ampato, Hualca Hualca, Sabancaya, Misti, Ubinas, etc.
After the stay at the top of Chachani, we go back down, two hours approximately to our base camp, packing all the camping equipment and continue going down to our private 4WD to fix everything in.
At 1pm come back to Arequipa and around 4PM drop off in your hotel in Arequipa and end of this amazing experience (B - L).
Top Nevado Chachani

TOUR INCLUDES

  1. Local certified English-Speaking guide
  2. Shared tourist transportation (Group Service only)
  3. Private 4WD for whole trip (Private Service only)
  4. 1 night in a comfortable hotel in Chivay (3*)
  5. Tourist ticket of 70 soles or $30 US Dollars per person (Obligatory). This is the unique entrance to the Colca national park even if you don't stop at "Mirador Cruz Del Condor", but not valid for hot springs along the canyon
  6. Trekking around the Colca canyon (Private Service only)
  7. 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 1 dinner
  8. Ticket to visit the Planetarium Maria Reiche/Projecting constellations - During the rainy season (December to April) the visit is subject to changes or cancellation by direct administration of the event
  9. Personal porter to carry your personal items (Private Service only)
  10. Camping gear for Chachani (Tent and mats)
  11. Climbing gear as ice exe, crampons, rope, etc
  12. First aid kit for all participants and our cam staff
  13. Food and accommodation for our camp staff

RECOMMENDATION
If this is your first time going to the Andes or High Mountains we recommend getting information about the ALTITUDE SICKNESS, see below some websites recommend by High Mountain doctors and scientists from over the world.
ISMM – International Society For Mountain Medicine
MEDEX – Medical Expeditions


See our Mountain Camping gear.... CLICK HERE

PRICE FOR TREKKING TO COLCA CANYON AND CHACHANI MT
DATE TOUR COST
Any day
(even the rain season)
TOUR COLCA CANYON AND CLIMB TO MOUNT CHACHANI SINCE $481 USD Per Person

Exploring Deep Culture And Mountaineering In Arequipa 4 Days - 3 Nights
Group Service (Shared bus)
1 to more participants $481 USD each one

Private Service (Private 4WD)
2 participants $712 USD each one
3 participants $645 USD each one
4 participants $580 USD each one
5 to more participants $520 USD each one
Discount 3%: Members and Tour Operators only
Students: $5 USD of discount only with valid green ISIC card
Organized Groups: We offer private and any time departure
Group size: For Colca canyon up to 19 participants - For mount Chachani just 4 climbers per tour guide
BOOK HERE: We highly recommended to book space prior you arrive to Peru
Before to book this trip we recommend to read our TERMS $ CONDITIONS and prevent future inconveniences.
Condor Party At The Colca Canyon

GROUP SIZE

GROUP SERVICE: For Colca canyon trip easily you can join up to 19 people – For climbing mount Chachani normally the group size includes up 4 climbers for each experienced mountain guide - Booking this option you will get two different tour guides.
PRIVATE SERVICE: Of course this is the best alternative if you like to explore and get more flexibility during your trip including the depart and return - This private service includes ONLY tour guide and driver - The type of transport can be van for 8 people or one of our 4WD vehicles available.

DEPARTURES

Daily departures are available all year - Private tours can be organized from Puno or from the airport of Arequipa any day and any time.

PRIVATE SERVICE

Depart for private service for groups or individual are available any day during all year. We strongly recommend booking trip with private van or 4x4 vehicles to explore more the Colca canyon. This tour can be combined with private and directly transfer to Puno or to Cusco, please check this option at booking time.

EXCLUDED

  1. Travel and accident insurance
  2. Soft and alcoholic drinks
  3. Breakfast on the first day
  4. Dinner in Chivay
  5. Hotel in Arequipa
  6. Sleeping bag (-10°C) cost $7 USD per day
  7. Tip and gratuities for guide and camp staff
  8. Horseback riding tours - This can be done on the first day for $89 USD per person
  9. Entrance to the hot spring in Chivay 15 soles per person will be paid directly ($6 USD) - The admission cost don't includes towel but other facilities as shower and toilets are available

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING/CARRY

  1. Small backpack 40lt
  2. 6 liters of water per person for Chachani
  3. Sleeping bag
  4. Mountain gear as windproof jacker, waterproof boots, gloves and long pants
  5. Rain jacket or poncho (December to april)
  6. Strong comfortable and waterproof footwear
  7. One complete change of clothing
  8. Sweater and jacket (something warm)
  9. Bottle of water
  10. Flashlight and batteries - Mount Chachani
  11. Hat or cap to protect you from the sun
  12. Sun block (sun protection cream)
  13. Insect repellent
  14. Selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits, etc
  15. Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries
  16. Sunglasses
  17. Swimsuit for the hot spring - Colca canyon
  18. Optional walking sticks or poles
PORTERS to carry up to 12Kg and you can hire them for $75 USD per day. Regarding porters who carry personal items. You will need to carry with you a daypack with your Camera, bottle of water, snacks, a fleece or something warm and a poncho in case of rain (unlikely in dry season but as a precaution) and anything you will need before lunch as porters do not walk alongside you. Your bag will be waiting for you in your tent at base camp.
Best to put everything up to 12kgs in one backpack for the porter so that you don´t have 2 large backpacks in your tent. If you like to hire the porter service let know us at booking time.

ADVICE FOR CLIMBERS

To have good acclimatization, good physical conditions and good quality winter clothes. One day before all the climbers will have meeting with the mountain guide at our office or in the hotel she/he will give a BRIEFING about trek / climb and also you can check the quality of the climb gear will be used on the mountain.

CONTACT US
For more information about the tour or you request a new date to departure for this tour, please contact us....
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