As one of the deepest canyons in the world, Colca Canyon is one of the most popular things to do when visiting Arequipa. Because of that, you may feel that you have to see it. However, Colca Canyon might actually not be worth it for you. That’s okay, but how do you decide and make the right decision so that you don’t leave Peru with regrets?
Many people will tell you that Colca Canyon is worth visiting, while others will disagree. After doing a two-day Colca Canyon trek, I personally thought it was worth it.
This was my first time hiking in a canyon, so it was a memorable experience for me. While I had already done a lot of hiking around Cusco before going to Arequipa, Colca Canyon offered a change of scenery. The dry, dusty trails and orange mountains were completely different from what I saw on the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu and the hike to Rainbow Mountain.
To help you make the right decision for yourself, I’ve broken down the pros and cons of Colca Canyon and provided some questions that you should ask yourself. Knowing more about what you can expect and weighing Colca Canyon against how much time you have, whether you want to trek or just see it, what you like, and your past travel experiences will help you figure it out.
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Pros
- Stunning scenery: The vastness of Colca Canyon is incredible. I was amazed looking down into the canyon and seeing how far it stretched. When trekking in the canyon, you’ll also see the canyon from many different vantage points and witness amazing sunsets.
- Andean condors: There are two types of condors: Andean condors and California condors. Andean condors can be found along most of the Andes mountain range, including Colca Canyon. They have the largest wingspan of any raptor, and you’ll usually find them soaring high over canyons or mountains in search of food. Colca Canyon is one of the popular places to spot Andean condors, which is partially why many people visit it.
- Physical challenge: Trekking Colca Canyon is a rewarding physical challenge for many. Going down into the canyon isn’t difficult, but hiking back up is. Even for people who are in shape, the entirely uphill climb will make you break a sweat. For some, the distance of the trek may also be a challenge.
- Local culture and nature: A surprising number of people live in and around Colca Canyon. When visiting the canyon, you’ll pass through small villages and towns, like Chivay and Cabanaconde, that provide a look into local life. On my trek, we even visited a family that was raising guinea pigs. Our tour guide was also knowledgeable about the plants that grow in the canyon.
Cons
- Early pickup: Whether you’re taking a day trip or doing a trek, you’ll need to get up insanely early. Everyone at my hostel who did Colca Canyon, including myself, was usually in bed between 9 PM and 11 PM in order to get picked up between 2 AM and 3 AM. This is typical for many hikes in Peru. So if you’ve been traveling in Peru for a while, you may have gotten used to it. However, it doesn’t make waking up so early any easier.
- No condors: Although I was able to see several condors during my Colca Canyon trek, I met other people who weren’t so lucky. Taking a day trip to the canyon gives you less time to see condors than if you go on a trek. With either choice though, you have to be okay with the possibility that you may not see condors.
- Physically demanding: On the flipside of being a physical accomplishment, trekking the canyon can be a gruelling and tough experience depending on your fitness level and hiking experience. The trek is not technical. It doesn’t even require hiking boots, although most people wear them. What most people find challenging is the uphill climb out of the canyon. Some people also find it difficult to deal with the heat, as there’s little to no shade along the trail. You can overcome both of these things though by taking your time going uphill, making a lot of stops to rest along the way, bringing enough water, and keeping yourself hydrated.
- Altitude sickness: The rim of Colca Canyon is between 3,000 and 4,000 meters (9,842 – 13,123 feet) above sea level. At this elevation, you are susceptible to altitude sickness. I recommend spending time at elevation before visiting Colca Canyon in order to decrease your chances of feeling sick. Becoming acclimated is a must if you plan on trekking the canyon.
- Basic accommodation: When trekking Colca Canyon, you won’t be camping. However, the accommodation is basic. The cabin that I stayed at during my two-day Colca Canyon trek had three single beds, a bathroom with hot water, lights, and a couple of outlets scattered throughout the room. I didn’t have an outlet by my bed, but it wasn’t a issue. Overall, the lodging was clean and perfectly fine for one night. The only issue we had was that bugs would fly in at night as they’re attracted to the lights.
- Kind of costly: It’s not free to visit Colca Canyon. The entrance fee is 70 soles (~$19 USD) per person. This is a significant amount for travelers who are on a tight budget. If you’re from a place where parks and outdoor natural attractions are typically free, the cost may feel a bit expensive, especially if you’re just doing a day trip to the canyon.
Questions to help you decide
Now that you know about the pros and cons of Colca Canyon, you’ve got a better idea of what you can expect. If the cons haven’t put you off from either visiting or trekking, these questions will help you ultimately decide whether Colca Canyon is worth it to you.
Do you have at least one full day for Colca Canyon?
Visiting Colca Canyon takes time, so how many days you have in Arequipa will be a major determining factor. At minimum, Colca Canyon is a full-day trip. So if you only have one day to spare, you can visit Colca Canyon on a day trip.
At most, Colca Canyon requires two to three full days for trekking. If you have more time, I recommend considering trekking over a day trip. You’ll get a more well-rounded experience where you can see the canyon from above and below. You’ll also have more time to potentially see Andean condors, and you won’t be as rushed.
If you don’t have at least one day to dedicate to Colca Canyon, then the decision is obvious. You won’t be able to see Colca Canyon unless you decide to swap something in your itinerary or extend your stay.
I spent two months in Peru and was only covering the southern part of the country, which meant that I was in Arequipa for around two weeks. This was more than enough time for me to trek Colca Canyon and do everything else at a relaxed pace. I actually wanted to do a much longer Colca Canyon trek since I had the time. However, group treks are only offered for two or three days because those are the most popular options with tourists. For longer treks, I would have had to hire a private tour guide or go on my own.
Do you want to trek or just see Colca Canyon?
Assuming you have more than one day to spend on Colca Canyon, you’ll also need to decide whether you want to trek it or just see it on a day trip. There’s a big difference between the two.
Day trips and multi-day treks follow the same pick-up and drop-off schedule. You’ll typically be picked up between 2 AM and 3 AM, and you’ll return to Arequipa around 5 PM.
On a day trip, everything is quite rushed due to how long it takes to drive to and from the canyon and the many stops you’ll make along the way. Day tours usually visit Abra Patapampa for photos, Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve to see alpacas and vicuñas, Condor’s Cross for condor spotting, and a hot spring. While breakfast is generally included, lunch is often not.
For multi-day treks, all your meals are included except for lunch on your last day. You’ll make the same stops as day tours. But because you have a lot more time, the experience won’t feel rushed and you can truly soak it all in.
After talking to other people in my hostel who did the Colca Canyon day trip, I’m glad that I chose the two-day trek instead. I didn’t feel like I was constantly hopping out and back onto the bus. While I didn’t see condors at Condor’s Cross, I got to see them later when we stopped for lunch. If I had only taken a day trip, I wouldn’t have seen them at all.
| Day trip | 2-day trek | 3-day trek | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical effort | Low (no hiking) | High | Medium (same as the 2-day trek but spread over 3 days) |
| Time needed | 1 full day | 2 days | 3 days |
| Canyon experience | Quick and surface-level (only see the canyon from above) | Deep immersion with an overnight stay | Same as the 2-day trek but with more nights and downtime |
Have you hiked a canyon before?
If you want to trek Colca Canyon and have never hiked in a canyon before, it’ll probably be worth it. You get to see a canyon from its depths, and you’ll be able to say that you’ve trekked one of the deepest canyons in the world.
However, if you have hiked in a canyon previously, Colca Canyon may be worth it depending on your past experiences. It can be difficult to not compare Colca Canyon to other canyons that you’ve already seen. Also, you may prefer to do another type of activity that you haven’t done before.
I had never hiked a canyon, so Colca Canyon was a must-do for me. I was curious what hiking in a canyon would be like. Plus, it would be cool to say that I had hiked one of the deepest canyons in the world.
Have you seen Andean condors before?
For those that have already seen Andean condors out in the wild, Colca Canyon may not be worth it. This is because seeing condors is one of the main reasons why most people visit the canyon.
Even if you haven’t seen Andean condors before, the idea of doing so just might not be that exciting or interesting to you. That’s okay and it’s probably a sign that you should skip Colca Canyon. There’s a lot to do in and around Arequipa, so it’s better to find an activity that you truly look forward to.
Book your Colca Canyon day trip or trek
So you’ve decided that Colca Canyon is worth it and whether you want to visit it on a day trip from Arequipa or go on a multi-day trek. How do you book your activity?
- Book through your accommodation. If your plans are flexible, you can wait until you arrive in Arequipa to book your trip to Colca Canyon. Your accommodation should be able to help you do this. The main downside of booking through your accommodation is that you won’t be able to vet and review the tour operator, since hotels and hostels usually partner with specific tour operators.
- Book in-person with a tour company. There are many tour operators and travel agencies that have offices in the center of Arequipa. Instead of booking with your accommodation, you can drop into any of these offices and get help with booking a day trip or trek.
- Book online via Viator or Tripadvisor. For most people, booking online and in advance will be the best option. You’re able to plan ahead, lock in the exact date you want, read reviews, and choose your tour operator. This is the option that I went with and I found online prices to be about the same as booking in person through my hostel. After getting a recommendation from another traveler who I met while doing the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, I booked this exact two-day Colca Canyon trek on Tripadvisor (it’s also available on Viator).
More resources for traveling Peru
- Colca Canyon 2-Day Trek: Tour Review & Recap
- How Many Days in Arequipa: All the Info You Need to Decide
- 19 Best Restaurants in Arequipa: Where to Eat and Drink
- Rainbow Mountain in Peru: Complete Travel Guide
- How Many Days to Spend in Cusco
- Complete Salkantay Trek Packing List: Everything You Need
