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Things to do in Arequipa Region

Our most recommended things to do in Arequipa Region

From Arequipa: 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno

1. From Arequipa: 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno

Get back to nature in the Andes mountains and look for condors, llamas and alpacas in their natural habitat. Marvel at the majestic landscape and remote towns along the way. Day 1: Benefit from pick-up at your hotel in Arequipa, and then look for llamas, alpacas and vicuñas in the magnificent mountains of the Sacred Valley. Get breathtaking views of the Misti, Chachani, Pichu Pichu and Ampato volcanoes from the highest point of the Patapampa route, and then continue to Chivay (entrance town to Colca Canyon) and have lunch at a local restaurant. Then you will be dropped off in your hotel in Chivay Town. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Day 2: Depart Chivay in the early morning and make your way towards the stunning Cruz del Condor viewpoint. See the pretty towns of Coporaque and Maca and get in touch with nature on a short hike before your arrival at Cruz del Condor, where you will get an hour to watch the majestic birds in flight. All the excursion will be explained by the professional guide. On the way back, eat lunch in Chivay before continuing to Puno, arriving at 7:30 PM.

From Arequipa: 2-Day Trekking Tour to Colca Canyon

2. From Arequipa: 2-Day Trekking Tour to Colca Canyon

Embark on a 2-day trek to the Colca Canyon, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon and an incredible sight. Look out for more than 100 kinds of birds, over 300 types of plants and more than 30 types of cactus. Head to Condor’s Cross for the best viewpoint in South America for seeing the Andean Condor, a gracious bird that can have a wingspan of up to 3 meters and weigh up to 12 KG. Day 1: Arequipa - Chivay - Condor’s Cross - Sangalle After an early morning (around 3:00-3:30 AM) pick-up from your hotel, head to Cabanaconde in the Colca Canyon. This is approximately a 6-hour drive from Arequipa, and on the way you’ll stop for breakfast. Continue to Condor’s Cross for a panoramic view of the canyon and the famous Andean Condor. Arrive at the beginning of your trek and start a downhill hike for about 3-hour from 3,300 to 2,100 meters above sea level into the canyon. Upon arrival, have lunch and take some time to rest in San Juan de Chuccho. Continue your journey and pass by the towns of Cosñirhua and Malata. Hike further into the canyon until reaching Sangalle, the deepest part of the canyon and 1900 meters above sea level. Sangalle is a lush green oasis with a tropical microclimate and some simple accommodation. Here you can enjoy the swimming pool after a long day of hiking. Enjoy dinner and spend the night here Day 2: Sangalle - Cabanaconde - Chivay - Arequipa or Puno Leave early morning (around 5:00 AM), and start hiking uphill for about 3-hour back to Cabanaconde town using torch lights for illumination. Enjoy spectacular views of the sunrise and eat breakfast upon arrival at Cabanaconde.  Head towards Chivay, viewing pre-Inca terraces, archaeological ruins, and colonial towns on the way. Around noon, arrive at the hot springs. Optionally take a dip in the hot springs and relax in waters of 38°C. In Chivay, have a buffet lunch in a local restaurant (not included). After lunch, start your return to Arequipa. On the way, you will descend from 4830 to 2325 meters above sea level, passing by a national reserve and Pampa Cañahuas. This is is a habitat for the four species of South American camelids (llama, alpaca, vicuña, and guanaco). Arrive in Arequipa late afternoon and be dropped you off next to Santa Catalina Monastery. If you choose the option to be dropped off in Puno, you will leave from Chivay after having lunch. You’ll arrive around 6:45 PM in Puno. You will also make a stop in Pampa Cañahuas to have great views of the local landscapes.

From Arequipa: Salinas Lagoon Full-Day Trip with Hot Springs

3. From Arequipa: Salinas Lagoon Full-Day Trip with Hot Springs

Discover the natural wonders of the Salinas Lagoon and the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reservation on this multi-stop day tour, including round-trip transportation from Arequipa. Surround yourself in nature and take a dip in the Lojen Hot Springs. Start bright and early with pickup directly from accommodation in Arequipa. Then start the journey to the Laguna de Salinas (Salinas Lagoon), making a few different stops along the way. After a 45-minute ride, arrive at your first stop: the Mirador de los Volcanes in the Chiguata District. From there, you’ll be able to observe the area’s representative volcanoes and take unbeatable photos. Reach the main square of Chiguata where its traditional holy spirit church is located. Take a seat and taste a traditional breakfast of the area (costs not included). In another hour, stop at Alto Simbral (4200 masl) where you can observe plants of the area such as queñua, areta, tola, and more. Arrive finally at the Salinas Lagoon where you’ll stay between 1 and 1.5 hours, making different stops to observe flamingos and water mirrors. The Salinas Lagoon is a high-salt Andean lake located at 4300 m. high within the protected Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reservation. Here, you’ll be surrounded by the volcanoes Misti, Ubinas, and Pichu Pichu. Afterward, head towards the Lojen Hot Springs and mini volcano to enjoy a relaxing bath (fees not included). After unwinding in the hot springs, return to Chiguata to have lunch (fees not included) and then start making your way back to the city of Arequipa. Arrive in the evening and get dropped off near the Plaza de Armas.

Full-Day Colca Canyon Tour from Arequipa

4. Full-Day Colca Canyon Tour from Arequipa

Pick-up from your accommodation in Arequipa around 3:00 AM to start your journey to one of the deepest canyons in the world, taking the Yura road, bordering the Chachani mountain towards Pampa Cañahuas (Aguada Blanca and Salinas National Reserve)  habitat of the beautiful South American camelids, the vicuñas. At approximately 6:00 AM, arrive at the town of Chivay; where you will enjoy your breakfast and then continue your drive for about 1 hour to arrive at Mirador de la Cruz del Cóndor, strategic point of observation of the Canyon and the spectacular flight of the Condor. On return, stop in the villages of Pinchollo, Maca and Yanque that have beautiful colonial churches. From the viewpoints of Choquetico and Antahuilque, observe the impressive andenería of the valley, the pre-Inca tombs and a pre-Inca model of the area carved in stone. Return to the town of Chivay for lunch and to rest walking through the little streets. Have the opportunity to enjoy the thermal baths in La Calera (optional) whose thermos medicinal waters oscillate between 35 to 38 degrees (celsius) of temperature in which you will stay approximately 1 hour, return to the town of Chivay. At 2:00 PM start your drive back to Arequipa, along the way, visit the highest point between the Colca Canyon and Arequipa: Patapampa (4800 meters), from this place see the volcanic mountain range. You will be back at your accommodation in Arequipa around 5:00 PM.

From Arequipa: Colca Canyon 2-Day Tour

5. From Arequipa: Colca Canyon 2-Day Tour

Enjoy pick-up in Arequipa on this 2-day Colca Canyon Tour, then passing through the vast Salinas and Aguada Blanca Nature Reserve. See llamas, alpacas and vicuñas in their natural habitat. Stop at Patapampa, at 4,900 meters above sea level. Get breathtaking views of the Misti, Chachani, Pichu Pichu and Ampato volcanoes from the highest point of the Patapampa natural viewpoint. Continue to Chivay town for lunch (if option selected). After lunch, check in at your hotel, with some free time to adapt to the altitude. Early the next day, head to the Cross of the Condor. See the pretty towns of Coporaque and Maca and get in touch with nature on a short hike,  before your arrival at Cruz del Condor. At this natural viewpoint you’ll be able to see the amazing bird in flight. Your guide will tell you about the behavior of the condor. Return to Chivay for lunch (if option selected) before the drive to Arequipa, returning approximately 5:00 PM.

From Arequipa: Colca Canyon Day Tour to Puno

6. From Arequipa: Colca Canyon Day Tour to Puno

Discover the natural splendor of the Colca Canyon on this day trip from Arequipa. Start your trip of right with a delicious breakfast. Have the option to choose between a tour with lunch and the entry fee to the Colca Canyon or from a tour without these inclusions.  Enjoy early morning pickup at your hotel or accommodation in Arequipa and travel in an air-conditioned vehicle to the incredible Colca Canyon. Stop for breakfast in the charming town of Chivay. Travel through the Andes villages before reaching the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint.  Marvel at views of the surrounding landscapes and try to spot the giant Andean condor in flight. Cross the Patapampa Pass and admire the unique flora and fauna of the area. Catch a glimpse of the peaks of the Misti, Chachani, Pichu Pichu, and Ampato volcanoes. Following your guided hike, have the option to go to the La Calera Hot Spring. At the end of your tour, the bus will return you back to the city of Puno, where you will be dropped off at your accommodation at approximately 7:30 PM.

From Arequipa: Colca Canyon Full-Day Guided Tour

7. From Arequipa: Colca Canyon Full-Day Guided Tour

Enjoy early morning pick-up from your hotel or accommodation in Arequipa and travel to the incredible Colca Canyon. Arrive at the natural habitat of the giant Andean condor and look forward to a full-day tour of the breathtaking site. Stop for breakfast in the pleasant town of Chivay and travel through the towns of the Andes, before reaching the Mirador Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint. Take a short hike up to the viewpoint and experience picturesque views of the surrounding natural landscape. Cross the pass of Patapampa and admire the stunning flora and fauna of the Andes. View the peaks of the Misti, Chachani, Pichu Pichu, and Ampato volcanoes. Return to Arequipa at approximately 5:00 PM and be dropped off in the main square. 

From Arequipa: Pillones Waterfall and Stone Forest Day Trip

8. From Arequipa: Pillones Waterfall and Stone Forest Day Trip

The first point we will visit is the town of Pampa de Arrieros and its old train station. Then continue, we make a stop in the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve for observation de vicuñas and in the Patahuasi sector to have a coca tea.Then we head towards the stone forest of Imata, starting the hike approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, it is a natural place with strange rock formations and stone columns, where your imagination and diversification will have no limits, you will be given a prudent time to take pictures. Continuing the journey by car we arrive at the town of Pillones where the waterfall Pillones – is located. Upon reaching the falls, you will see rocks shaped by the erosion of the water, you can go down to the waterfall, once there you can enjoy this beautiful Natural scenery and also take pictures. Finally we return to the city of Arequipa.

From Arequipa: 3-Day Trekking Tour to Colca Canyon

9. From Arequipa: 3-Day Trekking Tour to Colca Canyon

Day 1: Arequipa - Condor’s Cross - San Juan de Chuccho Early morning pickup around 3:00-3:30 AM from your hotel. After driving for around 4 hours, stop in Chivay to have breakfast. Then, continue to one of the most popular points of the canyon, the Condor’s Cross. Stop for about 40 minutes to watch the condor flying. Drive for 20 more minutes to where your trek downhill begins. Hike downhill for approximately 4 hours until you reach San Juan de Chuccho. Have lunch, dinner and sleep overnight in the village of San Juan de Chuccho.  Day 2: San Juan de Chuccho - Malata - Sangalle Departure around 8:00 AM after breakfast. Continue hiking and pass by Cosñirhua town, where it is possible to see archaeological ruins left by Pre-Incan cultures. Reach Malata town and its old Spanish church. Then, continue hiking further into the canyon, until you reach Sangalle, the deepest part at an altitude of 1900 m. Sangalle is a lush green oasis with a tropical microclimate. Here you can enjoy the swimming pool after a long day of hiking. In the evening, have dinner and sleep overnight. Day 3: Sangalle - Cabanaconde - Chivay - Arequipa or Puno Leaving early morning around 5:00 AM, start hiking uphill for about 3 hours back to Cabanaconde town using torch lights. This part of the trek can provide spectacular views of sunrise. Have breakfast upon arrival, then head to Chivay. On the way, have a great view of pre-Inca terraces, some archaeological ruins and colonial towns. Around noon, arrive at the hot springs with water temperatures of 38°C, where you can relax in a warm bath. In Chivay, you can opt for a buffet lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, start your return to Arequipa. On the way, you will descend from 4830 meters to 2325 meters passing by a national reserve with llamas and alpacas. Arrive in Arequipa late afternoon and be dropped off next to Santa Catalina Monastery. If you choose the option to be dropped off in Puno, you will leave from Chivay after having lunch. After several hours travelling, arrive around 6:45 PM in Puno. You will also make a stop in Pampa Cañahuas to have great views of the local landscapes.

Direct Transfer Chivay - Puno

10. Direct Transfer Chivay - Puno

This is a 6-hour transfer between Chivay and Puno, please choose the route you prefer. The bus will make the following stops: Route: Chivay - Puno Departure: 1:00 PM Start with pickup from the hotel. Enjoy nice views of the Andes and the natural life around you. Watch llamas and alpacas grazing in their natural habitat. The bus stops at the halfway "Patawasi", where you have free time to have a snack or drink in the local cafe. Stop at the natural viewpoint "Lagunillas", and enjoy great views of the Andean flamingos and lagoons formed by thaws. Arrive at Puno and transfer to your accommodation at approximately 7:00 PM. Route: Puno - Chivay Departure: 6:00 AM Start with pickup from the hotel. Stop at the natural viewpoint "Lagunillas", and enjoy great views of the Andean flamingos and lagoons formed by thaws. The bus stops at the halfway "Patawasi", where you have free time to have a snack or drink in the local cafe. Continue with the journey and see llamas and alpacas in their natural habitat, reach the highest point "Patapampa" 4,900 meters high, and observe the imposing volcanoes Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu. Arrive at Chivay and transfer to your accommodation at approximately 1:30 PM.

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What people are saying about Arequipa Region

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 587 reviews

It was amazing, and well worth the price. If you’re traveling and want to see some great sights with little to no hiking , this is the trip for you. We had a small group I was the only one really in need of an English speaking tour and he took plenty of time to make sure I got the full experience. There was a free breakfast of coffee, tea, bread, and juice. I bought the ticket which included lunch and entrance to colca canyon park I saved more money that way. All the guests were super friendly too, I can speak some Spanish but definitely not enough. I highly recommend it. I believe my guide was Juan and Edwin was our driver and he did an excellent job.

Fantastic experience. Our guide was a mine of information. When we were thinking we were to be unlucky and not see a condor he managed to pick a spot which resulted in us seeing 4. One obviously enjoyed the attention and performed, swooping and gliding over our group. Our guide was always on time for pick ups and helped when people were not coping with the altitude- highly recommend.

Suitable for the family considering the altitude. Regular stops which allow us to make the journey shorter and with a very interesting and pleasant approach to the environment. Walk adapted in time and difficulty with children! Great guide! Thank you Patricia!

The trip was amazing and the guide was very nice and knowledgeable

It was a great experience! I would do it every time again.