Planning to go to the Colca Canyon Trek? Dare yourself to explore the second deepest canyon in the world on an adventurous trip through the Andes.
Within one of the most popular valleys of Peru, you will find the Colca Canyon. This unique attraction is the perfect spot for taking long walks on nature trails and enjoying incredible views of the Andes. In here, people can have a closer connection with nature, enjoy the fresh air, and experience a unique adventure.
Not only that, but you will also find Andean villages that have preserved their traditions through all this time, making it possible to get in contact with real living cultures. Be part of a one of a kind experience and dare yourself to explore these beautiful lands.
If you are looking to visit the Colca Canyon, there is no better way to go on a trek. Enjoy spectacular views, meet local villages, learn from ancient cultures, and more, while trekking along with a local expert who will guide you through these lands.
We have prepared this post so that you can fully enjoy your journey when visiting Arequipa. Please join us and discover with us all you need to know for your upcoming trip to the famous Colca Canyon.
The best way to do this trek is with a local tour operator. Usually, all treks start very early in the morning from Arequipa city. In here, there are dozens of agencies that offer trekking tours, so you only have to compare and stay with the one that offers you the best price and/or gives you more confidence.
Also, when looking for the best alternative, you will come across two packages.
The 2-day trek is considered a moderate or hard hike. The first day of trekking is approximately 5 or 6 hours (1 hour uphill, 1-hour flat walk, and 4 hours downhill). The second day is approximately 3 or 4 hours of uphill walking. Due to the limited time, and the number of things you need to visit and explore, there is no much time to rest that is why it makes it a bit difficult to accomplish.
This trek has been set for people who have limited time in Arequipa and want to see as much as they can in the canyon. The tour departs every day from Arequipa at around 3:00 am, arriving back in the city on the second day at 6:00 pm approx.
This trek is recommended for people who are looking for a less extreme and demanding adventure. You can easily go on your own pace as the time is more than enough to visit the Canyon. The level of difficulty is intermediate so there is no need to worry about having a great level of fitness, however, note that there is trekking involved.
You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the views of the Andes and can hike at a slow pace, allowing for even more photo opportunities of the breath-taking landscape. On the first day, you will be trekking approx 3 hours and on the second day is about 4 hours. For the last day, there is only a walk of 3 hours downhill arriving in Arequipa at around 6:00 pm.
Note: The information provided can vary depending on the tour operator.
A quick tip: Most tour operators rent hiking sticks, just need to inform them beforehand.
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Would you like to go on an adventure on wheels in the sacred valley? Take the Moray and salt mines quad bike tour and enjoy spectacular views on a trip full of adrenaline.
Cusco is a beautiful place where people can reconnect with the past as well as find a variety of outdoor activities full of adrenaline and fun. If you are a person who enjoys spectacular views and adventurous journeys, then take a quad bike and explore Cusco differently.
There is no doubt Cusco has lots of things to offer us such as archeological sites, museums, markets, and more. There are so many things to visit that we might be short on time to see them all. Now, one of the most popular attractions in Cusco is the salt mines and the Moray site. No tourist can leave the city without knowing these attractions.
Thinking of you, we want to talk about how you can visit these famous places in a fun and adventurous way. Make your experience something you won’t forget and enjoy every single minute of your visit.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a territory full of incredible landscapes and unique archaeological sites. One of the most visited is the famous Salt mines of Maras. This attraction is made up of 3 thousand small wells dug into the mountainside. Each of the wells has a dimension of 5 square meters and the salt produced is commercialized just as the Incas did hundreds of years ago.
At the Maras Salt Mines, you can buy ‘natural pink salt’. It gets its beautiful color from the natural elements of the spring water including magnesium, calcium, potassium, and silicon. Another interesting thing about the mines is that you can buy a jar of this salt at the Maras gift store.
Nowadays, thousands of tourists come to visit Maras due to its natural value and its stunning views. Making it the perfect spot to get the best pictures and learn a bit more about the Inca’s history
Only 10 kilometers from the Maras salt mines, you can find the archaeological complex of Moray. This is an agricultural terrace built in gigantic natural holes. These terraces are carefully placed, taking the form of a gigantic amphitheater. The biggest hole has a depth of 150 m and the average height of the platforms is 1.80 meters.
This infrastructure allowed the growth of more than 250 plant species. Plus, it was used as an Inca agricultural laboratory to experiment with their crops. Moray contains a great history and a unique scenic beauty, becoming a very popular attraction among others.
If you are thinking of visiting these places, we highly recommend taking a quad bike tour. Not only for the adventure but the beautiful scenarios you will witness; are going to make your visit way worth it. There is no need to worry about being an expert driver as all vehicles are automatic or semi-automatic making it possible for almost everyone to drive them.
If you do not feel comfortable driving alone, there is also an option to go on a shared ATV. Just choose a friend to go with you on this adventure and enjoy the ride while admiring the landscapes. This tour has been designed for families, groups, friends, and solo travelers. You can even meet people along the way and there will always be a professional guide with you who will assist you in everything you need.
The journey is completely safe as all tour operators are fully prepared to guarantee the best experience. Of course, always look for the best option as not all of them will provide a good service.
Usually, when looking to do this tour, you will find lots of packages to the sacred valley. The most common itinerary includes Moray along with Maras Salt mines in a half-day. This is due to the proximity and easy access to the zones. Note that the following itinerary might vary depending on each tour operator:
The tour begins with the pick up from your hotel or hostel in Cusco city. Then the whole group heads to the town of Cruzpata, where you will be able to practice for some minutes until all of you are ready to depart.
Everyone will start the quad ride to Moray, once in here, you will be able to drive around or visit the archaeological site for at least 20 minutes. Then you will go to the town of Maras where you will be able to see the Urubamba mountain and the snowy mountains of Veronica and Chicon.
You will go to the salt mines known as “Salineras” where you can take some pictures or maybe buy some souvenirs at the gift store. After some minutes, the guide will be waiting for you to start the return trip to Cusco city.
