TREKKING WHITOUT GUIDE IN THE COLCA CANYON

Trekking 1 Day
Cabanaconde-Oasis: 2 ½ - 3 hours downhill
Oasis-Cabanaconde 3 – 3 ½ hours uphill

Trekking 2 days: Cabanaconde-San Juan-Oasis-Cabanaconde

Day 1: Cabanaconde - San Juan de Chuccho – Oasis: 4 hours downhill to San Juan de Chuccho (lunch) and 2 more hours to the Oasis (mix of uphill, downhill and flat). Dinner and the night in the Oasis.

Day 2: Oasis – Cabanaconde: 3 hours trekking uphill.

Trekking 3 days: Cabanaconde-San Juan-Tapay-Oasis- Cabanaconde

Day 1: Cabanaconde - San Juan de Chuccho – Tapay: 4 hours downhill and 2 hours uphill. Dinner and the night in Tapay.
Day 2: Tapay – Coshnirhua – Malata - Oasis 3-4 hours downhill. Dinner and the night in the Oasis.
Day 3: Oasis - Cabanaconde: 3 hours trekking uphill.

ALTERNATIVE TREKS A LA CARTE IN COLCA CANYON

Day 1: Cabanaconde - Llahuar, 5 hours of descent to the bottom of the canyon

Day 2: A LA CARTE OPTIONS:

Option 1.- Walk to the oasis, 2 hours of ascent + 4 hours of flat and descent, total of 6 hours of walking

Option 2.-Trek Llatica -Oasis, 2 hours ascent, 3 hours flat, 1 hour total descent 6 hours

Option 3.-Hike to the Huaruro waterfall and overnight at the Oasis, total 10-11 hours, walk

Option 4.-Hike to San Juan de Chuccho, 2 hours ascent, 3 hours flat, 2 hours descent, total 7 hours of walking

Day 3: Oasis-Cabanaconde, 3 hours trek uphill. Depending on your physical condition, there are people who can do it in more or less time.
If you choose the fourth option on the second day, you will sleep in San Juan de Chuccho and the trek is more difficult the last day, which is why trek take  4-5 hours uphill.
Also, if for some reason, such as an emergency or simply tiredness, you cannot rent a mule from San Juan de Chuccho to Cabanaconde, they do not rent mules or horses there.
The only place it can be done is from the Oasis.
That's why we always recommend spending the night at the Oasis (Last night).
Furthermore, in the oasis the supply of accommodation is greater than in other places in the canyon, which generates a greater advantage for demand. There are more than 7 hostels, each with its respective swimming pool.

The time taken for these treks can vary depending on fitness and experience. Some people will take either more or less time between destinations.

• If you are convinced that you have the experience to do the treks in the canyon without a guide we can give you all the information you request.
• You can also rent with us local guides, mules, horses and muleteers through our hotel – please book it in advance..
• When you go trekking in the Colca Canyon we can store your large backpack in our hotel (please don’t leave very valuable items). This is a free and secure service.
• If you sleep in the canyon and trek back up to Cabanaconde very early and you need to catch your bus to Arequipa and would like to have a shower before travelling, you can do so in our hotel (there is a charge).
• If you don’t like seeing a lot of other tourists, we recommend that instead of going to the Cruz del Condor you go the natural lookout of Achachihua.
• This is located just 15 minutes walk from our hotel. In this natural spot you can also see condors and there are spectacular views of the canyon, including the Oasis, pre-Incan terraces, and, in the distance the Huraruo waterfall.
• If you just want to stay in Cabanaconde and not trek into the canyon there are also plenty of other things to do, including visiting the fields around Cabanaconde to get to know local people and their work. We can give you advice and help you plan your trip from our office in Arequipa.

ORGANIZED TREKS WITH A GUIDE IN COLCA CANYON

We offer a range of options – unusual routes, individualized treks – just let us know how many hours you want to walk. Options include:

• Trek to the Mucurca lagoon
• Combined trekking and biking
• Combined trekking and horse riding
• Horse riding only
• Trek of 5-7 days crossing the Andes to reach Andagua, the Valley of the Volcanoes (maximum altitude 5,200 metres)
• Trek from Tapay to Madrigal (maximum altitude 5,200 metres)
• Trek to the deepest part of the canyon