Arequipa Colca Canyon Tour: My Full Day Adventure + Puno Transfer

Alright, so, picture this: I wanted to squeeze every last drop out of my time in Peru, and a day trip to Colca Canyon with a transfer over to Puno seemed, just a bit, too good to pass up. The Colca Canyon is seriously stunning, supposedly one of the deepest canyons anywhere around the globe, plus, Puno, with that massive Lake Titicaca, was totally calling my name. I am very much going to walk you through my experience, talking about what was amazing, what was, maybe, just a little rough, and whether it’s something you might, arguably, like your very own self might wanna consider.

Booking My Colca Canyon Getaway

Figuring this out was, more or less, step one. I began looking at tours like a month beforehand, using basically all the normal search engines and also travel websites. There appeared to be a heap of tour companies promising almost the same thing: picking people up at the hotel, getting people to the canyon, taking them to see condors (fingers crossed!), feeding people something, and dumping people in Puno at day’s end. The prices seemed very much similar, so I decided to go ahead with a company which had great reviews plus appeared, seemingly, to really care about eco-friendly trips.

Basically, make absolutely certain that, really, you read the fine print! Certain tours do not add stuff such as the canyon entrance fee (that’s another 70 soles, approximately $20 United States dollars), and a small number might not include meals. Very clearly figure this out beforehand, that way, you are not handed any nasty shocks. Oh, just so you know, they are typically rather open to some haggling if one might book very many trips together or is travelling as a group. You know?

Rise and Shine (Really Early!)

Okay, really early starts might just be part of the parcel regarding day trips, even so, it felt brutal. Pickup happened, like, somewhere close to 3:00 a.m.. Yup, you see that right. To be perfectly honest, that portion wasn’t great; I could be very much happier tucked away inside my bed. Anyway, all this early start is mainly simply so that one might show up at Colca Canyon to find those famed condors once the sun rises, the time at which they have a tendency to soar around on those thermals. Anyway, I threw on clothes, slugged back some coffee, and basically hauled myself out the door.

Just so you know, the van itself was usually pretty cozy. The seats reclined, so, too, it’s almost it did possess air-conditioning (a total blessing!). Most passengers appeared like your very own self: other travellers keen to see everything Colca Canyon appeared like, before moving on to other locations. The feel seemed amicable enough; folks seemed a bit bleary-eyed but very keen. The driver, whose name I can not, for any reason, right now bring to mind, did an incredible job steering those, sometimes, really twisting roads, too, he made all of us feel safe even while I attempted getting just a little more sleep.

Chivay: A Brief Stop for Food and Altitude Acclimatization

Roughly around 6:00 in the morning or thereabouts, all of us rolled inside Chivay, that is just a small town located, just a little, closer to Colca Canyon. Really, this stop offers many tasks. Firstly, we took a bit of breakfast at any local eatery. Nothing at all fancy, to be sure: think bread, jam, coca tea (a totally have to in order to deal with that height), and some scrambled eggs. You know, basic however entirely enough for the requirements. As I was saying, it further gave all of us a chance to, well, acclimate very, very slightly. The altitude, particularly when people were coming straight up originating out of Arequipa, may really mess with certain people.

As a matter of fact, Chivay appears a charming spot in its own right, so it is nearly a bummer we did not get way longer than simply thirty minutes. In short, there’s a community market in that area which appeared completely energetic and colourful. But still, time is simply ticking; those condors just aren’t planning to stay out there waiting around us all! You see, you need to bear in mind to carry tiny amounts of change together, as there could very well be certain tiny bathroom charges at this point as well as together the means.

Mirador Cruz del Cóndor: Condor Spotting!

Cruz del Cóndor…basically, it’s that postcard image you notice any time a person Google searches Colca Canyon. To be honest, arriving really earlier seemed positively worthy of sacrifice. You can see this view…Wow. It is hard, very, very difficult to place into any words. The canyon sort of stretches out previously you, it’s really profoundly yawning, rugged, and it provides a scale of which honestly throws the ego’s world into disarray.

Anyway, people all appeared currently in place with cameras. That energy appeared, clearly, higher! Very, very shortly afterward, the condors just commenced appearing. In the same way, those absolutely massive birds really sailed higher than us, just floating smoothly around those thermals using absolutely zero effort. It really looked magical! I have viewed condors prior, basically around different locations, even so to view all of them floating around from a setting really like the canyon created anything which felt profoundly moving. Seemingly, we ended up really fortunate; all of us noticed many. Certain folks talked of heading presently there and watching, pretty much, nothing at all; so much, a bit, hinges around Lady Luck.

Exploring the Colca Canyon: Villages and Views

Following seeing this Condor Cross viewpoint, all of us pushed onwards, exploring more areas right around Colca Canyon. Most tours almost always include stopping by quite a few tiny villages, for example, Yanque and Maca. Personally, those pauses are great. They just offer you, I mean, that snapshot in regard to this community life from within the canyon. It’s completely dissimilar compared to that associated with Arequipa and/or Puno.

Just so you know, inside Yanque, all of us found this very attractive church and further this area that included customary dances basically through several of those neighborhood children, you know, regarding travellers. As a matter of fact, Maca, you might very well visit an alternative chapel. Also, sometimes, a local woman has something like her little pet eagle she’ll permit you, seemingly, to carry in order that you can take your own picture regarding (ensure, maybe, you tip accordingly). Definitely, most people can find themselves sensing a bit “touristy,” but still, I decided these moments really added an element regarding culture into any trip.

Lunch with a View

Most likely near about one or two in the afternoon, our trip ended up for lunch. Frequently, lunch comes as just a component included with that trip package, or perhaps you might very well pay by yourself; depends on what that arrangement seems to be. It happened to be often, just a bit, from a buffet kind of circumstance, presenting any wide array regarding normal Peruvian meals. Okay, quinoa soups, grilled chicken, alpacas, along with a selection including grain or any vegetable choices. Almost certainly, these things just are not Michelin-star food; anyway, to be honest, this tasted really good then you are totally famished coming originating from a morning hours jam-packed by means of exploring!

Actually, there appeared being possibilities created for people who have specific dietary restrictions, yet ensure people tell those tour company during the time someone makes that scheduling to be certain they might meet these needs. Eating out also afforded one of the incredible opportunities to just sit back, kick back a tiny, and enjoy a few of those perspectives! A good number of restaurants appeared configured so that somebody could look above from the canyon just as any individual is enjoying your meal, it feels actually magnificent.

The Long Road to Puno

So, right now emerges what has a tendency to be… well, more or less, the absolute, very most troublesome element regarding doing any full-day tour as such: traveling to Puno! It’s really not bad to the extreme. It’s simply… long. Actually, originating originating out of Chivay up to Puno, assume sitting within a bus about maybe five or even six hours. That seems really prolonged once one recently put in almost all the morning hours travelling right from Arequipa!

That stated, very; to be honest, they usually are incredibly wonderful points that will observe through that travel. The landscapes change; any person would discover snowy mountain tops and expansive flatlands filled with alpacas then vicuñas. Those buses may normally bring about tiny ends coming via appealing viewpoints at which individuals can stretch legs including take a few snapshots. Make certain anyone stock upon several treats/drinks just before that leg to prevent feeling hungry or just starving during this travel.

Arrival in Puno and Settling In

At the end, possibly circling between approximately 6:00-7:00 at nighttime, the bus really drove right into Puno. Obviously, right here the bus stop, therefore there had been taxi cabs plus sometimes hotel vans able to move people right on your hotels. But, clearly, before everything different; always arrange where exactly any person appeared being remaining ahead of time. Actually, Puno includes numerous lodges plus hostels providing pretty much any resources. You can be very certain one recognizes ratings then any location just before scheduling, just that particular mode a person won’t be in for almost any surprises. Seriously, immediately following many hours during that bus. Anyone is not going to like struggling for getting destinations to spend all the nights!!

Just to let you know; once anyone gets that will lodge anyone would think tired. Maybe, simply take a straightforward meal somewhere in the area! Then very seriously get into mattress. Puno looks just fantastic with its unique right; but also you require getting sufficient sleep for it if you want it enjoyed properly. Arguably, any full day tour is without a doubt intense; yet still at this point. People definitely did show up on just the appropriate amount to have a visit throughout those floating Destinations pertaining to Uros including Isla Taquile the very following day.

Was It Worth It? My Final Thoughts

Alright, so; reflecting with my entire trip right now: Was this, in reality, honestly worth all of it? For your truly personally, certain thing! Even when any dawn could easily get, at times, rough along with that extended vehicle or bus towards the location of Puno examined anyone’s patience levels (great deal regarding which). Any rewards appeared positively special! This, to me is because of viewing the majesty including Colca Canyon plus coming to that viewing including Condors from that very close array created indelible remembrances to stay. Moreover; experiencing something in regard to native populations on Yanque as well as Maca provided that little component involved with cultural appreciation the fact that everyone, arguably; really needs whenever you get there somewhere completely new. At long last; this effortless transition into Puno just established; arguably: even more holiday in that location completely pressure free. Very! No requirement regarding seeking further transfer solutions. Just simply anyone is definitely that brand-new destination already!.

Yet, here, individuals ought thoroughly regard whatever anybody values whenever determining. When anyone entirely cannot cope pretty quick commences and can’t bear basically sustained durations regarding travel. That really isn’t a trip designed specially for anyone specifically then. Though whenever anyone wishes see incredible sceneries however therefore desires have numerous aspects throughout many areas covered inside you trip schedule efficiently also perfectly structured; I could very strongly propose it. You can now say without a shadow of a doubt you came all how throughout which place really far!!. Simply because with a few mindful prep especially; and expectation adjustments: you would receive some extraordinary exposure there in regards colca canyon, that too having convenience that someone definitely has made your ways inside direction related with more experiences inside of Peru.

Key Takeaways:

• Early Start: Be prepared for a really early morning. It’s fundamental to watch condors at Condor Cross early in morning.
• Altitude: Acclimatize around Arequipa maybe within Chivay. Carry some coca teas and basically take them into consideration for that!
• Booking Tips: Scrutinize; that tiny print. Ensure any fees regarding entrance and every meal turns completely covered.
• The Transfer: Know how that traveling over Puno lasts too long and basically fill up something such simply by treating etc prior
• Worth It?: Surely should you prioritize efficiencies coupled having fantastic look at anything.

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