Colca Canyon,  
tour + trek- 4 days

This tour consists of a visit to the beautiful Colca Canyon and a fantastic hike to the bottom of one of the deepest canyons in the world. The tour starts at Arequipa and includes spectacular scenery of various 6000m+ volcanoes, encounters with llamas, alpacas and vicuñas and a visit of the famous Cruz del Condor. From this spectacular viewpoint we almost certain  to see the mighty condor close up. In the valley  locals still wear colorful traditional dress and continue their ancestor's traditions. This spectacular  trek ends in a little paradise at the bottom of the Canyon with settlements surrounded by green and lots of fruit trees.

General information
For people just arriving in Peru, it is very important to acclimatize at least two nights in Arequipa to avoid mountain sickness. The first day is especially critical since we cross a pass of 4900m! The trek starts at 3800m and involves a steep 1200m descent.  Down in the canyon it can be quite hot. The 4th day you have to climb out of the Canyon, which takes around 4 hours.The trails are in reasonably good condition. Mules are available In case of emergency.

Program*
*The program depends on the amount of passengers and can be different than described here. 

Day 1: Arequipa- Reserva Nacional Aguada Blanca- Chivay
Leaving Arequipa, the paved road climbs steadily and passes  extensive pampas surrounded by 6000m volcanoes. We enter the "National Reserva Aguada Blanca" and will likely encounter herds of  vicuñas, llamas. alpacas and many Andean birds. At 4850m we cross the Pata Pampa pass, from where there are stunning views over the Hualca Hualca (6025m), Sabancaya (5976) and the Ampato (6288m) mountains. The road descends 1200m, before entering into the Colca Valley. At Chivay , we take a bath in a lovely hot pool before going to our beds.

Day 2: Chivay- San Juan de Chuchos.
Today we drive into the Colca Canyon passing through some fantastic scenery including hundreds of pre-Columbian terraces, cut out of the steep slopes.
We stop at the Cruz del Condor, a fabulous viewpoint from where we can observe close up views of the majestic condor. Next we start our hike downhill into the Canyon, a spectacular descent of nearly 1200m!!. We overnight near the river Colca in the settlement San Juan de Chuchos.

Day 3: San Juan de Chuchos- Oasis
In the morning we visit the small isolated village of Tupay and the nearby pre- Inca ruins located on the slopes of a huge mountainside. We continue our hike through the canyon near the Colca River, passing isolated villages with fruit trees. Finally we arrive at Oasis, a beautiful green spot at the river, surrounded by colorful, vertical rock walls of 1200m! Near our camp you can enjoy a bath in thermal springs.

Day 4:Oasis- Cabanaconde-Cruz del Condor, Chivay, Arequipa
In the early morning we climb out of the Canyon and,  in about 4 hours arrive at  Cabanaconde, a traditional Colca village where the inhabitants still wear beautiful traditional dress. Here we board our bus for the return journey. On the way back we stop at some stunning viewpoints. We arrive in Arequipa in the afternoon.

What to bring for the trek
Sleeping bag , as well as warm as light clothes, bathing- suit (for thermal baths), raingear, mosquito repellant, flashlight, toilet paper, sun protection, water purifying tablets, first aid- kit, daypack.