Arequipa to Colca Canyon Extension

You will begin your journey in the city of Arequipa, which lies 2,380m above sea level on the edge of the altiplano. Acting as a backdrop to the city are four imposing volcanos: El Misti, Pichu Pichu, Chachani and Ampato. These volcanoes are responsible for creating the white volcanic stone called sillar used to build a number of the buildings that helped Arequipa to earn the affectionate title of ‘La Ciudad Blanca’ or ‘the white city’. After arriving at your hotel, why not venture to one of the city’s many rooftop bars. There you can enjoy a bite to eat, a cerveza and take in views of the volcanos at a distance at sunset.

Today you will explore Arequipa, heading to the city outskirts before touring a number of the UNESCO World Heritage listed sites in its historic centre. Your first stop is Mirador Carmen Alto, a viewpoint located near the Chili River. It offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, Arequipa city and the peaks of El Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu. We’ll continue to Yanahuara, a traditional Spanish Colonial neighbourhood characterised by narrow, cobblestone streets and visit the town’s main square. Located at the highest part of the district, Plaza de Yanahuara provides a viewpoint towards El Misti volcano and is home to a number of arches built in the 19th century as well as Parroquia San Juan Bautista de Yanahuara (Saint John the Baptist Church).
From here you will walk to the mysterious Monasterio de Santa Catalina, or the Santa Catalina Convent, where you can wander its narrow streets and alleyways to discover its gardens before continuing downtown to Arequipa’s main Plaza de Armas. There you will see the Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa and the nearby Compania de Jesus (Church of the Company) and Capilla de San Ignacio (St Ignatius Chapel). Your final stop is the Museo Santuarios Andinos (the Andean Sanctuary Museum) which houses a number of Incan artefacts including Juanita, a twelve to fourteen year old Incan girl who was sacrificed to the gods in the 1450’s and found frozen atop Ampato in 1995.

Departing early in the morning you will travel overland towards the Colca Canyon. Be sure to rug up as it can get quite cool heading towards the Andes and stops will be made enroute at Pampa Canahuas, Patahuasi, Patapampa Pass and Chivay. The Reserve Nacional Pampa Canahuas, which is located within the National Reserve Salinas y Aguada Blanca, provides the opportunity to see vicunas in their natural habitat and there are views of El Misti and Chachani volcanos. Patahuasi is a small farmland community where you can spot llamas and alpacas living in the wild as well as a number of migratory birds.
Be sure to carry a stone on your journey from Arequipa as it’s traditional at Patapampa Pass, your next stop, to leave one on one of the apachetas (stone mounds) for a divine blessing from the gods. At an altitude of 4,910m, Patapampa Pass offers spectacular views of the volcanos and mountain ranges that make up the cordillera of the Andes. You’ll then descend to Chivay, a small town that retains its traditional way of life. Here there’s free time to buy your lunch and wander the town’s main Plaza de Armas, where you can see the Parish of our Lady of the Assumption. We then take you to your accommodation and you might choose to visit a local thermal hot spring for the remainder of your afternoon.

This morning you will arrive at the second deepest canyon in the world, the Colca Canyon. Second only to Cotahuasi Canyon, which is also located within Peru, the Colca Canyon is 3,400m deep at its lowest point. This is almost twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the United States of America by comparison. Your destination is Mirador Cruz del Condor, considered the best viewpoint to see the majestic Andean condors soar on the thermal drifts that flow between the canyon walls. There are approximately 6,200 condors remaining in the world and around fifty of these birds call the Colca Canyon home. Afterwards, you will return to Chivay before boarding a tour bus to Puno. Puno was founded at the site of a now defunct silver mine and is a wonderful place to go shopping for silver as well as the gateway to visit the islands of Lake Titicaca.