subject: Tips to Plan Your Colca Canyon Trip [print this page] Tips to Plan Your Colca Canyon Trip
One of the highlights of any travel to Peru, the spectacular Colca Canyon, located nearby the beautiful colonial city of Arequipa, is one of the deepest in the world, and twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. Agricultural terraces, majestic condors, traditional villages, lush green peaks towering above await travelers adventurous enough to stray away from the big city. Sports buffs will also revel in the array of activities available in the canyon, including hiking, trekking, horseback riding, and white river rafting on the roaring Colca River.
Located about three and a half hours away from Arequipa by bus, Colca Canyon is relatively easy to reach. The simplest way to organize your journey into this natural wonder is just to browse the many agencies offering tours in Arequipa, as they are generally cheaper than others located in Lima or elsewhere. Most tours last two days, and include transportation from and back to Arequipa, a hotel night in one of the canyon's villages, and a professional bilingual guide that will accompany you in the canyon to explain to you the history of the region and help you spot the wildlife.
However, if you are more of the independent traveler type and would like to experience the Canyon on your own, and if you're not afraid to try your hand at Spanish and mingle with the locals, you can easily organize the journey yourself. There are daily buses connecting Arequipa to the Colca Canyon, from 1am to 2:30pm, which cost 10 soles per person. The trip to the first and largest town, Chivay, takes about 3h30. If you want to go to the heart of the Canyon, continue on toward Cabanaconde, about 6 hours from Arequipa. Don't forget to take a sweater for the bus ride as it gets pretty chilly in the mountains at 4,500 meters above sea level.
Chivay is a relatively small town, where you will find your bearings in a matter of moments. The bus station is a mere 5 minute walk from the Plaza de Armas, Chivay's main square, but if you have luggage and don't want to carry it, just hop on a moto-taxi for a sole. There are lots of cheap hostels (20-70 soles a night) directly on the Plaza and in the side streets, as well as more expensive (from 250 soles a night) and comfortable options down the main street.
From Chivay, you can directly walk into the canyon, or hop in a collectivo to Yanque, only 10 minutes away, and start exploring the area from there. If you want to rest your sores muscles after a long day hiking in the canyon, head out to La Calera and its hot springs, 5 minutes away from Chivay.
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