Colca Canyon is a stunning attraction in the south of Peru. It’s located outside of Arequipa and is one of the deepest canyons in the world with a depth of up to 6,600 feet. Colca Canyon is famous for its natural beauty and plentiful hikes; but most of all it’s famous for the impressive Andean condors that call Colca home. Colca is Peru’s third most visited attraction welcoming 120,000 people annually; and having traveled extensively throughout Peru, I have to say it’s one of the most beautiful attractions I’ve seen. This is everything you need to know about visiting Colca Canyon in Peru. (By the way, I will sometimes refer to Colca Canyon as just “Colca” when referencing the area).
IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN JOINING A TOUR TO COLCA CANYON FROM AREQUIPA, THIS IS THE GROUP TOUR I’D RECOMMEND AND THE PRIVATE TOUR I’D RECOMMEND
If you’re planning a trip to Peru, don’t miss…
Is Colca Canyon Worth Visiting?
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast and you have the time – yes, Colca Canyon is absolutely worth the visit. Even if you aren’t an outdoor enthusiast (I don’t consider myself one) I still thought the canyon was beautiful and impressive. And what made me love my time there was visiting the small villages along the way.
I think the main factor to consider when deciding whether or not to visit Colca Canyon is how much time do you have? I did a day trip from Arequipa and while it was a bit rushed, I thought it was worth it. But keep in mind, the journey from Arequipa is around 4 hours so it makes for an incredibly long day in the car. (If you can afford a private guide for this that would be what I’d recommend so you have more flexibility and say over what you see and do).
History of Colca
Colca Valley, home to the breathtaking Colca Canyon, is a region steeped in history and natural beauty. This area of Peru, located about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of Arequipa, has been inhabited since pre-Incan times, with the Collaguas and the Cabanas cultures shaping its early development. These indigenous people were masterful agriculturalists, creating the extensive terraces that still stripe the canyon walls, evidence of their deep connection to the land. The Spanish arrival in the 16th century introduced new architectural and cultural influences, seen in the ornate churches sprinkled throughout the valley’s small towns. Today, the Colca Canyon, one of the world’s deepest, is not only a natural wonder but also a cultural treasure, drawing visitors not just for its dramatic vistas but for a glimpse into a living history where traditional customs persist amidst awe-inspiring landscapes. Whether it’s watching majestic Andean condors soar overhead or exploring ancient villages, the Colca Valley offers a profound link to the past and an unforgettable Peruvian adventure.
How to Get to Colca Canyon
The easiest, most common way to get to Colca Canyon is traveling by car from Arequipa. Whether you rent your own car or join a tour, the drive from Arequipa to the canyon itself is around 4 hours one-way. This drive will take you northwest and is incredibly beautiful with tons of viewpoints along the way.
If you’re visiting Colca Canyon from Arequipa, don’t miss…
Colca Canyon Entrance Fee
If you’ve picked up a rental car and are making this drive without a guide, keep in mind that you will need to stop at any checkpoint to purchase an entrance ticket before arriving to Colca Canyon. The price is 20 PEN for Peruvians, 40 PEN for Latin American countries, and 70 PEN for everyone else.
Please keep in mind that to get your ticket you must present your passport, you must carry your ticket on you at all times, and the ticket is only good for one entrance. This ticket is valid for Colca Canyon, Salinas, Aguada Blanca, and Andagua Valley of the Volcanoes.
The Best Tours for Colca Canyon
To make it easier to make the best choice for you, I’ve separated these tours into group tour versus private tour. In my personal experience, if you have the money, I’d highly suggest a private tour. Because you’re looking at 8+ hours in the car (round-trip) you’re going to want a comfortable experience where you also have flexibility. With a private tour you’ll have more of a say of when you want to leave, where to stop, etc. Just something to keep in mind when booking!
THE BEST PRIVATE TOURS TO VISIT COLCA
- Private full-day tour to Colca Canyon with Breakfast
- Inclusions: Breakfast, transportation, professional guide, water, photographs, herbs and drink from the region
- Exclusions: Entrance ticket (70 PEN), gratuities, buffet lunch (40 PEN), thermal bath ticket (15 PEN)
- Hotel pickup starting at 0300
- 12-14 hours
- Private Colca Full-Day Tour from Arequipa
- Inclusions: Breakfast, buffet lunch, professional guide, transportation
- Exclusions: Drinks, gratuities
- Hotel pickup starting at 0300
- 13 hours
THE BEST GROUP TOURS TO VISIT COLCA
- Full Day Tour
- Maximum participants: 16
- Inclusions: Breakfast, professional guide
- Exclusions: Entrance to canyon (70 PEN), entrance to hot springs (15 PEN), buffet lunch (30 PEN), gratuities
- Hotel pickup starting at 0300
- 14 hours
THE BEST MULTI-DAY TOURS TO COLCA
- Colca Canyon + 2 Days
- Maximum participants: 14
- Inclusions: Breakfast, transportation, professional guide, hotel
- Exclusions: Gratuities, lunch, entrance to canyon ($22), dinner
- Hotel pickup starting at 0730
- Colca Canyon 2 Day-1 Night Trek
- Maximum participants: 11
- Inclusions: 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner, professional guide, transportation
- Exclusions: Entrance to canyon (70 PEN), entrance to hot springs (15 PEN), water, snacks
- Hotel pickup starting at 0300
- 3 Day Trek
- Maximum participants: 12
- Trip starts in Arequipa and ends in Puno
- Inclusions: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
- Exclusions: Entrance to the canyon (70 PEN), entrance to the hot springs (15 PEN), buffet lunch on last day (30 PEN)
- Hotel pickup starting at 0300
How Long Do You Need in Colca Canyon?
You could spend as little as one day in Colca Canyon (what I chose to do) or days hiking and exploring. I think it comes down to – are you interested in a multi-day tour, and if you’re not interested in a tour, did you rent a car to explore the area on your own?
When to Visit Colca Canyon
The best time to visit the Colca region in Peru is during the dry season, from May to November, when the weather is clear and perfect for hiking and sightseeing. These months are also ideal for spotting Andean condors as they soar through the canyon. The peak tourist season is from June to August, so expect more visitors during these months. The rainy season, from December to April, can make trails slippery and challenging but offers lush, green landscapes for those willing to brave the weather.
I visited in July and experienced great weather – both warm and clear.
What to Pack for Visiting Colca Canyon
When deciding what to pack, the main thing to keep in mind is you’ll want to pack layers for those chilly mornings and warm afternoons. Also, if you’re just doing a day trip, the main thing I’d bring is water, comfortable shoes, and a jacket. If you’re trekking or doing a multi-day tour, here are some things I’d recommend bringing…
- Liquid IV to keep hydrated
- Reusable water bottle to keep water cold
- Hiking boots
- Biker shorts
- Sweat resistant top
- Light jacket
For a more extensive packing guide, don’t miss…
Things to Do in Colca
Colca is more than just its views! There are tons of great things to do in the area, including…
- Hiking/trekking
- Seeing the Andean condors
- Visiting small villages like Chivay, Yanque, and Maca
- Soak in La Calera Hot Springs
- Horseback riding
- Uyo Uyo Ruins
Travel Insurance
When traveling abroad – especially when trekking/hiking – I always recommend travel insurance. Not only will it cover travel related problems (delays, theft, etc), but it also covers injury that occurs when traveling. In the case of visiting the Colca region of Peru, I would highly recommend purchasing travel insurance in case anything were to go wrong – travel or health related.
GET YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE HERE!
Read more about why I recommend travel insurance here…
Peru Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Peru
TRAVELING THROUGH PERU
- The easiest way to book bus tickets in Peru is through Bookaway
- The easiest way to book train tickets in Peru is through 12Go
- To book a flight to Peru, I recommend using Skyscanner or a big search engine to compare options
- If you’re from the US, sign up for Going to get cheap flight notifications to Peru
- For car rentals in Peru, I recommend Discover Cars
- If you want an English speaking driver waiting to pick you up at the airport, use Welcome Pickups
- I highly recommend travel insurance when traveling through Peru – I use and recommend SafetyWing(you can read more about travel insurance here and here)
- If you need a SIM card, aloSIM for an easy and affordable e-SIM – use code “KYLEE5” for 5% off
ACCOMODATION IN PERU
- To easiest way to book hotels in Peru is through a booking platform
TOURS IN PERU
- For tours and activities in Peru, I recommend using Get Your Guide or Viator
WHAT TO BRING TO PERU
- Don’t forget a Peru guide book to help plan your travels
- I recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to cut down on plastic waste
- My favorite luggage is Calpak
- My favorite travel backpack is Nordace
- I recommend a sleep mask for long flights
I hope that this post not only helped plan your trip to Colca Canyon, but also inspired you to visit! If you have any questions about visiting Colca Canyon, let me know in a comment below.
For more on traveling through Peru, don’t miss…
- How to Spend 2 Days in Cusco
- 11 Things to Know About Visiting Machu Picchu in Peru
- Is Lima Worth Visiting? A Complete Lima Travel Guide
For more information on things to see and do in Peru, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinperu” or under my highlights for “Peru”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Peru” highlight
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Hi. What month did you travel to Arequipa?
and how much did you paid for your private driver to Colca?
Author
Hi Perla! I traveled to Arequipa in June and the private driver was at least $300 but we split the cost between people so I’m not exactly sure what it ended up being.