How much does the trip to the Colca Canyon cost?

The Colca Canyon is the number one destination of the trip to Arequipa. It is located about 160 kilometers from the ‘White City’. It is possible to go on your own or within an all-inclusive tour. Both options are valid. The tour can be a bit more expensive. Going on your own can be cheaper, depending on the type of services you choose (restaurants, lodgings, etc.). Know the prices and budgets in both options, both in the 2-day trip and the 1-day trip.

Price of the tour to the Colca canyon for 1 day

This tour is one of the best options for visitors who do not have much time during their trip to Arequipa. It is also a cheaper option compared to the 2-day tour.

The Itinerary:

The tour begins with the pick-up of the tourists from the door of their hotel located in the central area of ​​the city of Arequipa. The pick up is done at approximately 3 in the morning.

Then we proceed to travel by tourist transport to the town of Chivay. This journey can take 3 hours or more.

In the town of Chivay there is a stop for breakfast. Then the route is resumed for 30 minutes, this time towards the famous viewpoint of The Cross of the Condor (there you can see the famous ‘flight of the condor’).

Then the route continues through the beautiful landscapes of the Colca canyon. Before lunch, as an option, visitors can relax in the Yanque hot springs.

At midday, you return to the town of Chivay where you will enjoy a delicious lunch.

After lunch, the return journey to the city of Arequipa begins. On the way there will be a stop to appreciate the scenic beauty of the place, such as the ‘Mirador de los volcanes’ or the ‘Bofedales de Toccra’.

Finally, the city of Arequipa is reached at approximately 5 in the afternoon.

What’s Included

• Pick up from the hotel.
• Complete tourist transport.
• Official tourist guide.
• Breakfast.

What it does not include

• Tourist Ticket to Colca.
• Lunch.
• Entrance to the thermal baths.

Price

The tour costs approximately 75 Peruvian soles per tourist.

Price of the tour to the Colca canyon for 2 day

Most tourists prefer to visit the Colca Canyon in a 2-day tour as it is more comfortable and allows them to appreciate the tourist attractions with more tranquility. Tours can be booked with a tourism agency in the city of Arequipa or from their website.

The Itinerary:

The tour begins with the pick-up of the visitors from the door of their hotel in the city of Arequipa. Averaging 8 in the morning, you travel by tourist transport for almost 4 hours until you arrive at famous Chivay town.

On the way to Chivay there will be stops. The first in Pampa Cañahuas where the alpacas and vicuñas of the place will be contemplated. There will also be a stop in Patahuasi to visit Taqra, one of the best viewpoints of the flora and fauna of this Andean geography. The third stop will be at Patapampa, the viewpoint of the volcanoes.

Once in Chivay, tourists will settle in their hotels and then have lunch. In the afternoon you will have the option to relax in the thermal baths of La Calera.

In the evening, after dinner, visitors will rest at the included tourist hotel.

Breakfast will be early in the hotel facilities. Then the short trip by tourist transport will take place to the famous viewpoint of ‘The Cross of the Condor’, where the most famous spectacle of the Colca canyon is observed: the ‘flight of the condor’.

Then we will visit the towns of Yanque and Maca where we will learn more about their history through their square and craft centers.

Back to the town of Chivay we will enjoy a delicious lunch. Finally we will return to the city of Arequipa at around 5 in the afternoon.

What’s Included

• Pick up from the hotel.
• Complete tourist transport.
• Breakfast on day 1.
• Breakfast on day 2.
• Official tourist guide.
• 2-star tourist accommodation.

What it does not include

• Tourist Ticket to Colca.
• Lunch and dinner.
• Entrance to the thermal baths.

Price

The tour costs approximately 150 Peruvian soles per tourist.

Budget for the trip to Colca in 1 day

Are you planning to visit the Colca canyon on your own? For the 1-day trip, you must take into account: the round trip transportation, the entrance to the Colca canyon, the food on the route and the tour guide service (optional).

The budget

• Tourist Ticket to Colca: 70 soles for foreigners, 40 soles for Latin Americans and 20 soles for Peruvians.
• Transportation to the town of Chivay: 15 soles (round trip 30 Peruvian soles).
• Average breakfast in Chivay: 10 soles.
• Lunch in Chivay average: 10 soles.
• Tour guide service (optional): 15 soles per tourist.
• Thermal baths (optional): 15 soles per tourist.

Important information

To make a one-day visit to the Colca canyon, the most important thing is to leave very early from the city of Arequipa. In the city terminal there are services that depart from 3 in the morning and even earlier.

The return from the town of Chivay must be between 3 and 6 in the afternoon. This way you will arrive in the city of Arequipa before 10 at night.

During your day trip, do not forget to bring a backpack with snacks, fruits, a poncho for rainy cases as well as bathing suits and a towel (if you plan to visit the thermal baths).

Budget for the trip to Colca in 2 days

The two-day trip to the Colca canyon on your own is a good adventurous option that requires a certain degree of organization. For this, it is essential: the entrance to the Colca canyon, the food on the route, the tourist accommodation in Chivay (or Cabanaconde), the tourist guide service (optional) and the entrance to the thermal baths of the place (optional).

The budget

• Tourist Ticket to Colca: 70 soles for foreigners, 40 soles for Latin Americans and 20 soles for Peruvians.
• Transportation to the town of Chivay: 15 soles (round trip 30 Peruvian soles).
• Tourist accommodation in Chivay: from 30 to 150 soles depending on the quality of the service.
• Average breakfast in Chivay: 10 soles.
• Lunch in Chivay average: 10 soles.
• Dinner in Chivay average: 10 soles.
• Tour guide service (optional): 15 soles per tourist.
• La Calera thermal baths (optional): 10 soles per tourist.

Important information

• To make the two-day trip to the Colca Canyon, you must leave from the city of Arequipa at around 8 in the morning. In the land terminal of the ‘White City’ there are different transport companies such as: Andalucía, Reyna, Milagros, Colca and Transjesa.
• The return trip from the town of Chivay to the city of Arequipa must be done between 3 and 6 in the afternoon, as you will arrive before 10 at night.
• In high tourist season (June, July and August) it is best to book the hotel service online and in advance. When looking for accommodation on the same day, you run the risk of not finding available rooms.
• For the two-day trip, do not forget to bring: a backpack, a poncho for rain, additional clothing (especially a coat for the night), personal hygiene items as well as bathing suits and a towel (to enjoy the thermal baths).

By Machupicchu Terra – Last updated, August 28, 2023