Every turn gets you closer to the canyon drama.

This 2-day Colca Canyon tour from Arequipa breaks up a long route to Puno with real scenery, not just driving time. I like the way it pairs big-view moments with small-group comfort, so the day feels manageable. Another thing I really enjoy is the chance to slow down in the Calera hot springs after all that altitude and winding roads. One consideration: it is not suitable for people with altitude sickness, so you’ll want to be sensible about acclimating first.

Day 1 is built around arrival in Chivay, a relaxed lunch window (not included), then a soothing soak that runs about 35º–38º Celsius. I also like that you get to see more than one side of the canyon—viewpoints, volcano country, and colonial-era towns with traditional clothing and folklore woven into the route. The trade-off is that lunch and dinner are on your own, so budget a bit more than the headline price.

Key Points I’d Use to Plan This Trip

• Condors at Cruz del Condor: If conditions line up, you’ll have the best chance to spot them in flight.
• Calera hot springs in the mid-to-high 30s C: A real reset after canyon viewpoints and road travel.
• Small group (up to 17): You get a guided rhythm without feeling like you’re in a crowd.
• Breaks between Arequipa and Puno: You’re turning transport into sightseeing time.
• Colca Canyon entrance fees are extra: Plan for the ticket cost on top of the tour price.

Two Days From Arequipa to Puno: Why This Route Works

This tour is smart if you want to connect Arequipa and Puno without losing the best hours to sitting on a bus. You’re not just “passing through” the Colca Canyon area. You’re getting a guided pass through canyon views, colonial town scenes, and classic highland wildlife chances like llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas.

The whole rhythm is about pacing. Day 1 gets you from the city into the canyon region, with a hotel night in Chivay to soften the travel load. Day 2 focuses on one of the canyon’s most famous viewpoints and then transitions you onward to Puno. For many people, that’s the sweet spot: fewer transfers, less stress, and more time looking out the window when the world actually looks like Peru.

Pickup in Arequipa and Your First Chivay Check-In

Your day starts with pickup from your hotel in downtown Arequipa. That matters more than it sounds. In a place where taxis and timing can get messy, starting with a scheduled pickup keeps you from burning energy on logistics.

Once you arrive in Chivay, you check in to a 2-star hotel with a private bathroom. Then you get some time for lunch (not included). I like this structure because it gives you a breather before the hot springs stop. You’re not rushing straight into the longest day of your trip. You’re arriving, orienting, and then choosing your pace.

One practical note: because your lunch isn’t included, you’ll want to plan a simple meal option nearby so you don’t scramble later.

Calera Hot Springs: The 35º–38º Celsius Reset

If you’re going to remember one moment from this tour, it’s likely the soak. After a day of high-country driving and canyon sightseeing, the thermal baths in Calera are the built-in recovery period.

The waters run from about 35º to 38º Celsius, and they’re described as both thermal and medicinal. I’ll translate that into real travel value: the temperature is warm enough to help your legs feel human again, and the timing gives you a chance to treat fatigue like part of the itinerary instead of a surprise tax.

You’ll spend time resting in the waters before your overnight in Chivay. If you’ve ever been stuck on a tight schedule where you never actually cool down, this stop is the opposite. It’s a planned pause.

Cost tip: the hot springs entrance is listed as optional, with an extra fee of S/ 15.00. If you’re the type who wants every included activity, budget for it.

Day 2 at Cruz del Condor: Canyon Views With a Condor Shot

Day 2 begins with breakfast in Chivay. Then you head to Cruz del Condor viewpoint, one of the prime places to watch the Colca Canyon from above.

This is where the trip earns its reputation. From the viewpoint, you’re looking across a massive canyon system, and the goal is simple: watch the canyon’s scale, and if you’re lucky, see condors flying above and around you. Condor-watching is weather-dependent, so don’t treat it like a guaranteed wildlife encounter. But the viewpoint is set up specifically for this type of moment, which is exactly what you want on a short, guided tour.

If you’re sensitive to altitude or you tend to feel winded, give yourself a minute when you arrive. Stand still first. Let your breathing settle. Then start exploring the best angles for photos.

The In-Between Stops: Volcano Country and Colonial Town Flavor

Between Chivay and the condor viewpoint (and on the way back), the itinerary includes guided stops for scenic appreciation and lunch (not included). It also mentions volcanoes, colonial towns, and the feel of regional life, including typical costumes and folklore.

That blend is worth something, even if you’re mainly traveling for the canyon. Colca Canyon isn’t just one dramatic overlook. It sits inside a cultural and volcanic highland landscape where towns and traditions have survived for generations. When the guide points out what you’re seeing—town details, region themes, and how people live up here—you get more than a photo. You get context.

The trade-off is time pressure. Because the tour is timed as a two-day experience that ends in Puno, the stops are efficient rather than slow. If you want lots of wandering time in one place, this isn’t a long-stay tour. It’s designed for maximum sights with a fixed schedule.

Transfers Are Part of the Tour, Not Downtime

This is a route tour. You’re moving from Arequipa to Colca Canyon to Puno, and the transfer is built into the experience. Your transport is included, and you also get a guided perspective on what you’re passing.

That makes the whole thing more valuable than it sounds. Long-distance travel can eat your best daylight. Here, the day’s driving time comes with planned views and stops, so you’re not staring at the road for two days straight.

At the end of Day 2, you return to Chivay for guided stops and then head to Puno. The tour finishes with a drop-off at your hotel in downtown Puno, which again helps you avoid a second round of taxi-hunting.

Price and Value: What $103 Covers and What You’ll Add On

The listed price is $103 per person for a 2-day tour. That’s the part people notice first. But the real question is: what’s included versus what you pay separately?

Included basics you’re getting:

• Pickup from your downtown Arequipa hotel
• English-speaking guide for 2 days
• Tourist transportation from Arequipa → Colca → Puno
• 1 night in a 2-star hotel with a private bathroom
• Breakfast included on Day 2 in Chivay
• Hotel drop-off in downtown Puno
• Small group size capped at 17 participants

What costs extra:

• Colca Canyon entrance tickets:
• Non-Latin America: S/ 70.00
• Latin America: S/ 40.00
• Peruvians: S/ 20.00
• Hot springs entrance: S/ 15.00 (optional)
• Meals: Lunch and dinner (options listed starting around S/ 25.00 per person)

Here’s how I’d think about the value. You’re paying for more than the views. You’re paying for:

1) guide time across two days,

2) hotel night,

3) transport through rough driving corridors,

4) and access to the best-view stops like Cruz del Condor.

If you were to DIY it with public transport, you’d spend real effort timing buses, buying tickets, and figuring out where the scenic stops actually are. For many people, $103 plus entrance fees is still a fair deal because it removes the friction.

Small Group Comfort: Why Up to 17 Matters

A group size capped at 17 participants is a practical quality-of-life detail. It helps keep the day from feeling like a cattle schedule. You can usually hear the guide without cranking your voice. You can ask questions without waiting forever.

It also helps with viewpoint logistics. At Cruz del Condor and on roadside stops, you want the group to move as a unit so you’re not losing half your people across a windy parking area.

Who Should Book This Colca-to-Puno Tour

This tour fits best if you want:

• a guided Colca Canyon experience in a short timeframe
• a hotel night in Chivay so you’re not doing nonstop travel
• a planned recovery stop at Calera hot springs
• a smooth transition from Arequipa toward Puno without arranging everything alone

It may not fit if:

• you have altitude sensitivity or altitude sickness concerns (the tour is not suitable for that)
• you hate schedules and want total freedom to linger for hours in one place
• you’re on a super tight food budget, since lunch and dinner are not included

Practical Tips for a Smoother Canyon Schedule

You’ll enjoy this more if you prepare for high-altitude conditions and long, scenic road time.

• Bring layers. Even if the sun feels strong, canyon regions can turn cool with wind.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes. Viewpoints can involve uneven ground.
• Plan for extra cash on arrival for entry fees and optional hot springs.
• If you’re planning photos, expect changing light from the canyon and viewpoint wind. Give yourself a minute at the best angle rather than rushing.

Also, because the guide is English-speaking (with the option of Spanish), it’s smart to have a basic idea of what you want to ask—wildlife, how the canyon works, or what to look for at Cruz del Condor.

Should You Book This Tour?

I’d book it if you want a clean, guided way to see the canyon and still make it to Puno with minimal hassle. The combination of Cruz del Condor, the Calera hot springs soak, and a hotel night in Chivay gives this tour enough structure to feel worth the cost—even after you add entrance fees.

I’d hesitate if altitude is a concern for you, or if you hate paying separate fees for attractions on top of a tour price. For most people, though, the math works: you’re getting transport, guidance, and a recovery stop in one package.

If you book, go in expecting efficient stops, not a slow travel day. Then enjoy the big-view moments when they happen.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It runs for 2 days, with details like starting times depending on availability.

Where does the tour pick up and drop off?

Pickup is included from your hotel in downtown Arequipa. Drop-off is included at your hotel in downtown Puno.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to a small size of up to 17 participants.

Is there an English-speaking guide?

Yes. You’ll have an English-speaking guide for 2 days (the guide can also work in Spanish).

What’s included in the accommodation?

You get 1 night in a 2-star hotel with a private bathroom. Breakfast is included on Day 2 in Chivay.

Are meals included?

Lunch and dinner are not included. Lunch is available as an optional purchase during the day, and dinner is not included either.

Do I need to pay entrance tickets?

Yes. Colca Canyon entrance tickets are extra: S/ 70.00 for non-Latin America, S/ 40.00 for Latin America, and S/ 20.00 for Peruvians. Hot springs entrance in Calera is optional and costs S/ 15.00.

Is the tour suitable for altitude sickness?

No. It is not suitable for people with altitude sickness.

What are the cancellation terms?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and there is also a reserve now & pay later option.

You Might Also Enjoy

Puno: Full-Day Tour of Lake Titicaca and Uros & TaquileLima City Tour. Pre-Hispanic, Colonial and Modern Tour.Cusco: Folkloric Andean Show & 3-Course Dinner at TunupaBuggy ride in Paracas National Reserve