Amazon Adventures

Peru

Hiking the Colca Valley

(also, see camping trip below)

Leaving from Arequipa we spend three days doing half-day hikes in different areas of the Colca Valley – fantastic views of natural landscapes and man-made terracing combined with a cultural experience: a chance to visit the villages, view the impressive Condor, at the end of the trip, an optional vehicle ride to Puno instead of returning to Arequipa for a surcharge.

Day 1 - Arrival in Arequipa. Depending on your arrival time, you can arrange a city tour or a visit to the outlying districts and countryside. Lunch and dinner on your own, overnight at hotel.

Day 2 - Leaving early in the morning we head to the northeast of the city towards Yura, slowly climbing behind Mt. Chachani into the high altitude desert savannah - known as puna - crossing Pampa Cañahuas, a chance to see vicuñas and views of the volcano of Sabancaya and the snow-capped peaks above the Colca Valley passing by the village of Chivay. At Corporaque we take a half day hike starting in the village church, past the site of San Antonio and its terracing to the ruins of Uyo Uyo or Yanque Viejo at an average of 3,400 m for about 4 hours. We arrive at your local hotel for dinner and overnight

Day 3 - Leaving by vehicle from our lodging we head to Canocota Canyon with a visit to an archaeological site there. We arrive at the Colca river's edge where we can see birds - torrent ducks, giant humming birds, falcons and other river birds. We walk by a colonial mine to the stone formation of Inca Salta passing clusters of cactus and other succulents, one can see "campesinos" going about their daily chores until reaching the thermal baths at La Calera - a chance to take a dip. Dinner and overnight at your local hotel. (Hike about 5 hours)

Day 4 - Leaving early we head down the valley to start a hike from Cruz del Cura to Cruz del Condor - the viewing point of the king of the Andes, the Condor and a spectacular view of one of the deepest canyons of the world - cutting through these arid mountains. The Colca Valley itself is thought to harbor an area of 40,000 acres of terracing and in inca times it is believed to have had a population of 200,000 people which was
decimated by diseases in the colonial era. Vestiges of intense land-use are still experienced by the visitor
as we walk through the back-country visiting the villages of Maca and Yanque. Return in the afternoon to
your local hotel. (4 hours hiking, Average altitude 3,400 m)

Day 5 - Leaving early we take the main road back towards Arequipa, leaving the valley behind us. As we cross Pampa Cañahuas we reach the intersection with the train heading to Puno at Sumbay. The main road heads to Puno, so instead of returning to Arequipa for a surcharge visitors can continue to Puno.

Season : March-December
Departures : Every Saturday
Price : US$ 695, Single Supplement: US$56
Minimum : 2 passengers

Includes: Transportation to the Colca Valley and return, hotels in Arequipa and Colca,
bilingual guide, all meals and walks as well as visits to sites in the Colca Valley.

Does Not Include: Meals in Arequipa, taxes, alcoholic beverages, extras tips, laundry service, insurance and
airline tickets.

Trek to Colca Canyon

Leaving from Cusco (or Arequipa) our trek starts below Mt. Mismi, over a pass and into the Colca Canyon for a scenic canyonland experience, rich in vestiges of pre-inca cultures, ending in Arequipa, the white city of Peru (or Puno).

Note: Two full days of acclimatization in Cusco or Puno are mandatory. This trip can also be done in conjunction with our Inca Trail fixed departure or as an add – on to any program ending in the Cusco, Arequipa or Puno area

Day 1 CUSCO/SICUANI/TUTI (Sunday) Leaving Cusco or Arequipa a full day drive south on the road to Puno visiting the ruins of Pikillacta and the colonial church at Andahuaylillas. In the main Vilcanota valley we will visit Raqchi, ruins of the Wari culture. At Sicuani a dirt road ascends leaving the valley behind and crossing the “altiplano” or “puna” area for a dusty ride over the Condoroma pass, to the side road leading to Cailloma. We set up camp below Mt. Mismi, near the villages of Tuti at 3,840 m.a.s.l. / 12,595 ft.

Day 2 TUTI/MISMI/CARHUACOCHA (Monday) The vehicle will bring us to the roadhead, passing the community of Ran Ran, and continuing to Aquenta. Leaving the village behind a short hike across highland savannah desert, past corrals used for herding alpacas, we reach the springs which are the source of the Amazon. The terrain will be rocky at first but then will become a clear trail. Camp and Overnight.

Day 3 CARHUACOCHA/ CARHUASANTA (Tuesday) We continue towards the Pass of La Luna (or Aquenta) at 5,010 m.a.s.l. / 16,433ft with fantastic views of Mts. Shila and Coropuna to the west and later we descend slowly into Carhuasanta at 4,700 m.a.s.l. / 15,416ft. Here we set up camp. The area is a highland pasture used as such only at certain times of the year (Time: 6 hours. Distance: 6 Kms.)

Day 4 CARHUASANTA / QOLPA (Wednesday) We continue to the pass of Quewisha, at 5,100 m.a.s.l./ 16,728ft. We will again appreciate the astounding peaks and the Colca Canyon below. Our path now takes us down to 4,000 mts /13,120 ft. at Qolpa. We enter an upper canyonlands terrain near our campsite at Qolpa. (Time: 7 hours. Distance: 8Kms.)

Day 5 QOLPA / LARI / YANQUE (Thursday) This morning we descend further into the gorge of the Colca, passing old Inca terraces and canals into warmer weather. We begin to evidence patchwork agriculture and a chance to see agricultural activities close at hand as we approach Lari. From here we will be picked up and taken to a hotel at Yanque, Dinner on your own. (Time: 4 hours. Distance: 3.5 Kms.).

Day 6 CRUZ DEL CONDOR/AREQUIPA (or Puno) (Friday) Early start-up by bus to visit Cruz del Condor a unique opportunity to see Condors with the Canyon backdrop at its deepest point – an impressive view. A morning visit to the villages of Yanque, Cabanaconde and others. In the afternoon return by vehicle to Arequipa or connect to Puno, hotel and dinner

Season : April – September
Departures : 4th Saturday monthly
Price : US$ 855 SS: US$120
Minimum : 2 passengers

SERVICES INCLUDED: Transportation by vehicle to start and from the end of trek to your city of departure, hotel night on day 5, two-man tents including sleeping pads, pack animals, kitchen crew and commissary gear with all meals included as well as a bilingual guide on the trek, who handles a first-aid kit.

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED: Meals in the cities, alcoholic beverages, extras, tips, taxes, laundry service, additional tours, insurance and airline tickets (where applicable), sleeping bags, hiking boots and personal clothing and equipment.