Colca Canyon
Go for deep canyon walls, Andean condors and village life in the high valleys of southern Peru.
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Colca Canyon is a deep river valley in Peru's Arequipa region, several hours by road northwest of Arequipa city. It is one of the deepest canyons in the world, and its walls hold farming terraces worked for centuries. The usual stop for Andean condors is the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, where the birds ride the air currents above the cliffs.
Villages such as Yanque, Maca and Chivay line the valley. Chivay has hot springs, and it sits at about 3,600 meters, so expect altitude effects on your first day. The canyon suits travelers who want high Andean scenery, small towns and a slower pace than a city stay. Plan two to three days from Arequipa, including the drive out and back. The dry season, roughly May to September, is the most reliable window for clear skies and walking trails.
Colca Canyon in five
- Get to Arequipa, then take a bus to ChivayFly or travel to Arequipa, then take a bus to Chivay, about 3 to 4 hours by road.Getting around
- Spend a night in Chivay before the hikeChivay sits above 3,500 m. Stay a night or two to adjust before you walk down into the canyon, and ask a doctor about altitude medicine before you fly.
- Carry soles in small notesMany villages and small restaurants take cash only, and entry tickets and tips are paid in soles. Break large notes in Arequipa or Chivay before you head into the valley.Money and costs
- Go to the condor viewpoint earlyCondors ride the warm air rising over the canyon. Arrive early, because tour buses fill the viewpoint later in the day.
- Check that your insurance covers high-altitude trekkingSome standard policies exclude hiking above a set altitude or the canyon descent. Confirm the policy covers walking at about 3,500 m and the cost of getting out of the canyon.Travel insurance
Things to do in Colca Canyon
See all attractions in Colca Canyon
Need to know
- Currency
- Sol (PEN)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check Migraciones before you book Read more
- Emergency
- 105 police, 116 fire, 106 ambulance
- Tipping
- About 10% in restaurants, often added to the bill
- Time
- UTC-5, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRainy, green
- FebruaryRainy, green
- MarchRainy, green
- AprilRains ending
- MayDry, clear
- JuneDry, cold nights
- JulyDry, peak season
- AugustDry, cold nights
- SeptemberDry, warm days
- OctoberDry, warming
- NovemberRains start
- DecemberRainy season
Right now in Colca Canyon
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
23
- Feels like
- 21°
- Humidity
- 36%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 12%
Colca Canyon
04:57 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today27°12°12%Monday: Rain. High 27°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Tue26°13°22%Tuesday: Rain. High 26°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Wed26°10°20%Wednesday: Rain. High 26°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Thu25°10°14%Thursday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Fri23°12°38%Friday: Rain. High 23°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 38%.
- Sat24°13°41%Saturday: Rain. High 24°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 41%.
- Sun24°11°39%Sunday: Rain. High 24°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 39%.
Updated 02:57 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 3.467 PEN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Arequipaabout 3 to 4 hours by busThe white-stone city, a bus ride away and the main base for the trip.Read the guide
- Cruz del Cóndorabout 1 to 2 hours by road from ChivayThe best-known condor viewpoint on the canyon road.
Before you go to Colca Canyon
Rules for Colca Canyon, checked
- Many nationalities enter Peru visa-free for short stays. Check your passport and entry rules with Migraciones before you book.
- Pre-Columbian artifacts cannot be taken out of Peru without permission. Do not buy them, and check export rules with the Ministry of Culture.
- Road blockades and protests can close roads in southern Peru. Check your government's travel advice before you travel to Arequipa.
Plan around Colca Canyon
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Peru trip
Read the guideGetting aroundBuses, shared taxis and tours from Arequipa to the canyon
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical costs for the valley
Read the guideVisas and entryWho can enter visa-free and what to check before flying
Read the guideWhere to stayArequipa or Chivay, and where to sleep before a trek
Read the guideColca Canyon FAQ
How hard is the hike down into Colca Canyon?
The walk down is steep and the climb back out is harder, especially at altitude. Start early, carry water, and go slowly on the way up. Ask your guide or the hostel about the current trail conditions.
How many days do you need in Colca Canyon?
Two days covers a bus trip with the condor viewpoint and one day in the valley. Add a third day if you want to walk into the canyon and stay overnight near the river.
How do you get from Arequipa to Colca Canyon?
Take a bus from Arequipa to Chivay, about 3 to 4 hours by road. Tours are also common and cover the viewpoints in one day, but they start early and cover a lot of road.
When is the best time to visit Colca Canyon?
May to September has dry weather and clear views, with cold nights in the valley. The wet season from December to March brings green hills and more rain on the trails.
Is Colca Canyon worth visiting from Arequipa?
Yes, if you want deep valley views, condors and a trek. The road is long, so plan at least two days and check your altitude tolerance before you go.