This trip is ideal to discover the Colca Valley and Canyon and it’s reserved for good trekkers. However, if you have an intermediate level or if you want to enjoy more time in the pools of Sangalle Oasis, we can propose you an alternative that you’ll read at the bottom of the description. You can also consult the Classical Trek in the Colca Canyon or the Tour in the Colca Canyon in 2 days (without trek).
Around 7:30AM, your guide come to pick you up at your hotel in Arequipa. You’ll pass around the Chachani Volcano (to climb to the top of the Arequipa's volcanoes, click here) and you’ll go towards Chivay. You’ll cross the National Reserve “Salinas y Aguada Blanca” where you’ll admire numerous lamas, alpacas and vicunas. You’ll make a stop at Patapampa and observe the “bosque de piedras” (stone forest). If you want, you can drink a coca tea which could help you with potencial altitude sickness. Later, you’ll reach the Volcanoes’ Mirador where you will discover an incredible panorama at more than 4900 meters above sea level. Then, you’ll go to Chivay to have lunch (not included). The afternoon, after a small walk in the gorgeous surroundings of Chivay, little visit of the hot spring baths (volcanic spring water between 35 and 38°C). You’ll spend the night in Yanque, at the Miskiwasi hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel and then departure by bus around 7:30 AM to go to the “Cruz of Condor”, magnificent viewpoint from which you’ll observe the impressive flight of Andean Condors above the Canyon. Afterwards, you will reach the Pampa San Miguel, which is located at 3280 meters above sea level. You’ll begin a 3-hour downhill walk with your private guide. You’ll arrive at 2300 meters above sea level, at the small village of San Juan de Chuccho where you’ll have lunch. Then, you’ll continue the walk to the Oasis of Sangalle. On the way, you’ll pass through Cosnirhua and Malata villages where the inhabitants grow fruits and harvest the "cochinilla". At the end of the day, arrival at the Oasis (2225 meters altitude) and rest. Dinner included and night in bungalows (simple comfort).
Walking time: 6:30; Slope: +500m / -1475m
Departure at dawn to start the climb to Cabanaconde (slope: +1000m). You’ll have breakfast on site and later take the direction of Arequipa in a shared bus. On the way, you’ll stop to admire magnificent pre-Inca terraces. You’ll make a second stop at the hot spring baths of Yanque, which will help you to relax after this early walk. Afterwards, you’ll lunch in Chivay before taking the bus to return to Arequipa (arrival around 6 PM). You can choose to take a bus to Puno at 1 PM just after lunch (please notify it, we will take care of the booking during the preparation of your trip).
Walking time: around 3 hours; Slope: +1000m
For intermediate-level trekkers or those who would like to enjoy the pools of the Sangalle Oasis, we propose you an alternative:
After the visit of the Cross of Condor on day 2, instead of going to the Pampa San Miguel and San Juan de Chuccho, you can start the trek from Cabanaconde and go down in the Canyon directly to the Oasis of Sangalle (3 hours walking instead of 6h30). Then you’ll have the time to enjoy this amazing green environment and its pleasant pools to relax.
The third day, you’ll wake up at dawn to return to Cabanaconde walking by the same trail. This is the same walk as the one realized the 3rd day in this program, followed by the bus ride back to Arequipa (check the description above).
