Arequipa Colca Canyon Tour: A 2-Day Adventure Ending in Puno

Okay, so you’re thinking about doing the Arequipa Colca Canyon thing, that is, wrapping it up in Puno? Very cool. This crazy trip’s like, a totally fab way to soak in some absolutely astonishing Peruvian landscapes, spot some truly fantastic wildlife – hello, condors! – and, get a real, solid taste of the culture. Two days? That sounds kind of intense, it really does, but hey, it can absolutely be done, and I want to give you, like, the inside scoop to help you make the most of it, so that you know, you aren’t going into this thing totally blind, alright?

Why Colca Canyon? Is It Truly All That?

Colca Canyon? Totally a sight that needs to be viewed to be believed, actually! Just so you know, its twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, it’s absolutely breathtaking, the thing is that’s what everyone likes to point out. But, that is where the similarities end; because Colca Canyon is also dotted with some quaint, traditional villages where life seems to move a bit slower, you know? People still wear, like, beautiful, colorful textiles, they maintain ancient farming practices. When you check this place out, its more than just seeing, like, a big ditch in the ground; you’re experiencing something that feels deeply, almost, Peruvian, very deeply. And yeah, like, the condors – they’re pretty unforgettable. Plus, ending the trip in Puno? Well, that means Lake Titicaca’s, like, right there! Super convenient.

Choosing Your Tour Operator: Kinda a Big Deal

Tour operator selection can be difficult, can’t it? Actually, your tour operator? Is like, one of the most, like, critical decisions you’ll make. Different operators, you know, offer totally different experiences, it’s almost crazy. Read some reviews online, that’s a start, check out what others are saying. Consider, you know, what sort of travel style you prefer, what budget you have to play with, even. Looking for something kinda budget-friendly? Sure, there are some, there’s tours a bit cheaper, maybe a bit more bare-bones. Very much needing some, more comfort and more personalized attention? Some outfits can provide that, definitely, just for a few more Soles. What you need to keep in mind is a trustworthy company usually covers a guide, a comfortable bus, probably some meals, that is, everything. And absolutely triple-check if the tour, definitely, drops you off in Puno at the end, alright?

Day 1: Arequipa to Chivay – Getting High, Slowly But Surely

Early start on the first day, you get an early start almost by default, basically that is just how these trips seem to function, yeah? Leave from Arequipa at about 8 AM usually. So you see, like, that you can get ready. First stop, very common thing is, Pampa Cañahuas, inside the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, there. So like, keep your eyes peeled for vicuñas. What are vicuñas you ask? It’s like a sort of wild relative of the llama and alpaca, there all beautiful. Thing to remember is, the altitude. That drive goes way up there, quite high. Chivay, the biggest city near Colca Canyon, itself isn’t low in the sky. Might get a head buzz at around 11,800 feet above the ground. So chew coca leaves if you like, definitely drink lots of water, that can always help, really, and basically just take it kinda easy on yourself. That night a bunch of tour packages, usually, provide stops at some hot springs, something like La Calera Hot Springs. Hot soak? A real, genuinely incredible idea after a very, very long day of riding around, genuinely.

Day 2: Condors and the Scenic Route to Puno

This is why most travelers come on this tour – that chance to observe the great condors. Now is the part where you actually see them. Head over at the dawn (again, a terribly early start is required) to the Cruz del Condor lookout. That, is where with some amount of luck, basically, you see a totally incredible view of these gigantic birds soaring, like, above the canyon. Crowds can accumulate there so arrive rather early for a decent view, almost necessary. Soon afterwards you’ll likely visit some, quaint villages for instance, Yanque and Maca are popular stops, with ancient churches. Eventually, very much so, you’ll be on your transport headed for Puno, more or less a six-ish-hour journey or something like that. Make sure, though, to take photos and observe some more unbelievable Andean scenes as you pass the landscape.

Things to Pack, because you just know you’ll forget!

Packing smart will make all the dissimilarity for you! Here, is something that may or may not make it simpler. Layers are one suggestion. Because of, well temperature fluctuates significantly between day and night. Warm jacket and so pants might work well at sunrise and during that evening but with the sun shining high on, your shoulders, t-shirt-plus shorts can feel a bit comfortable. Something really solid and solid hiking boots. You will hike around. Definitely sunscreen! Despite what looks and sounds like cool mountain air, so you see the sun has very, little issue burning skin right there at, basically, that sort of altitude. Also shades for keeping those gorgeous eyes of yours shielded and not crinkling, you hear?

Acclimatizing to Altitude

Listen, it has been mentioned here before but it needs to be, said more often for others. Altitude is something, that deserves being concerned with when exploring, this region! Spending some, time in Arequipa (at around 7,600 feet above sea level) could actually, truly make you feel good ahead. Drink sufficient water and you know, go light at, the eating end is a tip you might enjoy to put in practice. Coca tea helps someone to a bit of a point and local people will tell you its valuable in dealing with altitude.

What to Eat Along the Way

It would absolutely be crazy to, avoid eating on this expedition. That being said, the chance must always be utilized to, eat all you can locally! See what I mean? In Arequipa? You definitely wanna, wanna sample some of that chupe de camarones – shrimp chowder – seriously, or perhaps rocoto relleno; stuffed spicy peppers, they really add punch. While you find a restaurant in Colca Valley so try a few Alpaca steaks; the local speciality there. When at these towns along Colca Canyon so you might want to, think about attempting to purchase some stuff directly to some village women, its totally supporting the community. They sell artisan crafts as well there, but they do make food you can purchase as well.

Photographing Colca Canyon – Picture This!

Listen if the point to this excursion would, be just getting photographed doing exciting and neat sightseeing with very nice backgrounds this region actually delivers! First sunlight shining on Colca Canyon are perfect, they just simply look unbelievable as does these giant and gracious condors, its all beautiful. Wide angle lenses may just enable landscapes there. Getting some, patience also when doing all these, especially once those condors fly out to you. The ideal image? Sometimes the photo must, only occur from only patience with you too, actually!

Arriving in Puno: What to Do Next

Here comes the end the the journey where its going on to, the banks into gorgeous Titicaca! The Uros Floating Islands here are a must – see! These artificial islands composed away using reeds really do teach somebody what history and culture actually are. Taquile and Amantani Island and well worth exploring with fantastic picturesque look outs where people live still more locally but you have not completely detached. To just be clear that high place requires rest after just traveling such many hours. I feel you could, possibly choose many boat rides out starting Titicaca next sunrise or afternoon for just making any picture taking just totally worth trying. Now you’re home for the evening.

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