Condors make Colca feel unreal. In one long but well-paced day, you’ll go from Arequipa out to Cruz del Condor for serious views. The guide keeps things organized with clear explanations in English and Spanish, so even the big stops feel manageable.

What I like most is the condor viewing itself and the chance to cool off later at the thermal baths area (with optional activities if you want them). One thing to plan for: breakfast is included but it can be pretty light, and several key extras cost money on the day.

Key Things I’d Mark on Your Map

• Cruz del Condor time: you get about 1.5 hours for photos and condor spotting
• Thermal baths or alternatives: you can choose hot springs, zipline, or a hike during the stop
• Local detours with payoff: Patapampa for volcano views and Salinas y Aguada Blanca for camelids
• Bilingual guidance: your guide explains what you’re seeing in both English and Spanish
• Extra costs you’ll want cash for: lunch, hot springs entrance, and Colca Valley entrance

From Arequipa to Chivay: the day starts early, then settles in

This is a true day trip, meaning you spend a lot of time on the road—but the schedule is built around arriving when the viewpoints are most useful. You’ll be picked up directly from your hotel in Arequipa, then you ride for about 3 hours toward Chivay.

When you get there, the tour begins with a continental breakfast, plus instructions from your guide so you know how to time your walking and where to stand when you reach the main viewpoint. This is also where the day starts to feel real: you’re moving from city routine into Colca-country altitude and wide open views.

A note from real-world experience: some people find the breakfast basic. I’d treat it as fuel to get going, not a full meal. If you’re picky or usually eat a lot in the morning, you’ll feel better if you eat what’s offered and also plan to snack later (snacks and drinks are not included).

Mirador de la Cruz del Condor: where the condors steal the show

The heart of the tour is the trip to Mirador de la Cruz del Condor. After breakfast in Chivay, it’s about 45 minutes more by transport to reach the viewpoint.

Once there, you get roughly 1.5 hours to watch and photograph. This is not a quick photo-stop. The guide explains what you’re looking at, including that condors can reach around 3.5 meters across and weigh about 11 kg (with the guide also pointing out differences in age and sex). If you’ve only seen condors in photos, this is the moment that changes it from bird-spotting to something bigger.

Here’s how I’d approach it if you want the best experience:

• Bring your camera ready before you reach the main area, because the action is what everyone is waiting for.
• Give yourself time to stand still and watch. Condors often show up as the light and air shift, not on your schedule.

Your guide’s job is to translate the scene into something you can actually understand—where the birds move, why they may circle, and what the view is designed to show. And because the tour is bilingual, explanations land better than if you’re trying to piece things together alone. In the past, guides like Raul have also shared helpful context and even warned people when certain requests are about extra payments, not the core plan.

Sights and surprises between the canyon views

After the main condor time, the day doesn’t go straight back to Arequipa. Instead, you’ll visit additional natural viewpoints where you can keep soaking up the canyon area and stretch your legs without feeling like you’re just waiting.

You’ll also stop for Sancayo ice cream, which is one of those small local moments that makes a tour day feel less like a checklist. It’s not essential, but it’s the kind of break that feels fun after a long viewpoint session.

If your priority is action and scenery, this segment works because it keeps momentum. If you prefer a strict schedule with fewer stops, this portion can feel like lots of “in-between” time. That’s the tradeoff of a one-day tour: they have to pack in a lot of geography.

Thermal baths stop: relax, or choose zipline/hike instead

This tour gives you a stop—about 1 hour—that you can customize around your mood. The plan includes hot springs, but the tour also offers options for people who don’t want to sit in the water.

Depending on what’s available that day, you can:

• enter the hot springs (entrance is not included, so you’ll pay on your own)
• try the zipline
• do a hike around the valley area

I like this flexibility because it solves the biggest problem with long canyon days. You can recover in the baths if that’s your style, or stay active if you’d rather feel the air and move between stops.

One practical point: since hot spring entrance is extra, bring enough cash for it, and don’t plan on snacks being covered. The tour includes the transport and guide, but meals and drinks beyond breakfast are on you.

Lunch timing and value: plan your budget before you sit down

Lunch happens after the thermal-area break. It’s not included in the tour price, and the cost you’ll see is generally in the buffet range (the tour info lists S/.30, while other pricing seen on the day may run higher).

Here’s the honest way to think about it: you’re paying for a whole day of transport, a bilingual guide, and viewpoint time. Lunch is one of the places where your value depends on your own taste and expectations. If you want a big meal, give yourself permission to buy lunch that actually satisfies you. If you’re not that hungry, you may find it easier to snack later or choose a lighter option.

Either way, don’t go in assuming lunch will be a bargain just because you’re already paying $32 for the tour. The tour’s value is in the driving, guidance, and the core Colca sights—not in the buffet price.

Back to Arequipa via Patapampa and Salinas y Aguada Blanca

On the return, the tour keeps the scenery moving. A standout viewpoint is Patapampa, where you’ll have a chance to take in sweeping views of snow-capped mountains and multiple volcanoes around Arequipa.

It’s also where the day’s effort starts to feel worth it. After condors and canyon time, you’re reminded that this region is about more than one valley.

Then you’ll move into the National Reserve of Salinas and Aguada Blanca. This is where you can observe camelids in different varieties, and you’re also seeing how the land supports wildlife at altitude.

If animals and nature are your thing, this reserve stop is a good add-on. It also gives you something to look for while your body is transitioning from canyon-view tired to city-view awake.

The tour ends with a return to Arequipa, finishing in the historic center a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas. You’re typically back around 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm, so it’s realistic to plan a relaxed dinner afterward rather than late-night adventures.

Price and logistics: what $32 covers, and what it doesn’t

At about $32 per person, this tour aims at value by packing in multiple big sights with transportation and a bilingual guide. For a one-day trip, that’s a fair deal—especially when you consider the condor viewpoint time and the return stops.

But here’s what you should budget for, because it affects how you experience the day:

• Lunch is not included (buffet pricing on the day)
• Hot springs entrance is extra
• Colca Valley entrance is extra
• Snacks and drinks are not included

This is the biggest practical consideration. People often feel surprised when their total day cost climbs. To avoid that, I suggest you bring extra cash or be ready to pay as needed so you can focus on the sights instead of math.

Guide style and group vibe: bilingual explanations matter

This tour runs with a bilingual guide (English and Spanish). In practice, that changes how much you get out of the condor viewing and the nature stops.

Guides like Raul have been praised for clear explanations and for being upfront about what’s included versus what costs extra. That transparency matters on a day where you’re learning, walking, and switching locations.

Group composition can be mixed—so if you’re more comfortable speaking one language than the other, the bilingual approach is still helpful. You’ll hear key details more than once, just in different words, and that helps you follow what the guide points out at each stop.

There’s also evidence from past operation that this can be a family-friendly option. One review mentioned the tour was confirmed as okay for children, and the provider negotiated a child price for some families. If you’re traveling with kids, it’s smart to ask ahead so you know what pricing and expectations look like for your group.

Tips to make your day smoother (and more fun)

Here are the small moves that usually make the biggest difference on a schedule like this:

• Plan layers. Even in daytime, altitude can shift temperatures. Bring something you can add/remove easily.
• Keep cash ready. You’ll likely pay for hot springs entrance, lunch, and possibly Colca Valley entrance.
• Don’t overpack your hunger. Breakfast is included but light. After condor time, you’ll appreciate snacks if you get hungry before lunch.
• Use the full condor time. Don’t rush your photos. Give yourself a moment just to watch—those 1.5 hours go fast when you’re trying to do everything at once.
• After 5:30 pm, be realistic. You’re back in Arequipa late afternoon, so plan dinner nearby and avoid long, tiring extras that night.

Should you book Arequipa: 1-Day Colca Canyon + Thermal Baths?

I think this tour makes sense if you want a structured day with the key Colca highlights: condors at Cruz del Condor, optional thermal baths, and scenic add-ons on the way back like Patapampa and the Salinas y Aguada Blanca reserve.

Book it if:

• you value a guided, bilingual experience so you understand what you’re seeing
• you like condor viewing that isn’t rushed
• you want a one-day way to combine canyon, wildlife, and relaxation

Be cautious if:

• you’re trying to keep a strict budget, because lunch and entrances are extra
• you prefer very free time. This is a packed day with transport between multiple stops, not a slow wander

If you go in with the right expectations and a little extra money ready for meals and entrances, it’s an efficient way to experience Colca in a single day—condors included.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It runs for 1 day.

Where does the tour start and how do I get back to the city?

You’re picked up from your hotel in Arequipa, and the tour finishes in the historic center a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas. Return time is about 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm.

What is included in the price?

Hotel pickup in Arequipa, transport by tourist van, a bilingual guide (English and Spanish), and 1 continental breakfast.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch (buffet) is not included, and you pay for it separately.

Are the hot springs included?

No. The hot springs entrance is not included, though there is a scheduled stop where you can enter if you want.

Do you visit Colca Canyon viewpoints?

Yes. The tour includes transport to Mirador de la Cruz del Condor for condor viewing, plus additional natural viewpoints.

Are there extra entrance fees for the Colca Valley?

Yes. Entrance to the Colca Valley is not included.

Will I see wildlife besides condors?

Yes. There’s also a stop in the National Reserve of Salinas and Aguada Blanca to observe camelids in different varieties.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is reserve now and pay later available?

Yes. The tour offers reserve now & pay later, so you can book your spot without paying immediately.

You Might Also Enjoy

2-Day All Inclusive Guided Jungle Tour from IquitosExcursion to Rainbow Mountain in ATV.From Cusco: Waqrapukara Hike Full-Day Tour With MealsLima Just For Foodies