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.
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.
Planning to visit Piura and do not know where to start? Get know the best things you can do in Piura Peru this 2020.
Piura is a gorgeous city located in northwest Peru and It’s known for having the most beautiful tropical beaches in the country. Nowadays, Piura is a perfect place to relax and get to visit archeological sites as it’s full of these attractions. In this post, we will show you the 8 things you can do in Piura this 2020 for not missing out on a great experience.
This is an old square that stands out for its beauty, colonial-style, and variety of flowers and plants. In the middle, there is a monument of “La Pola”, the oldest in the region, and the Cathedral of Piura, built in colonial times. If you are exploring the city, this is a must-visit place definitely.
Catacaos is an old town built with small houses of cane and is unique in many ways, however, the handicraft market is the highlight of the place. It displays products typical of the region; among them are straw hats and gold and silver filigree jewelry.
The artisan work is made by the peasants and most of the material comes from Cajamarca. Today, many visitors come to buy these products as they have a huge cultural value.
The Aypate Archaeological Complex is located in the rural community of Tacalpo-Ayabaca. It is a high mountain formation at 2,900 meters above sea level. The complex is made up of a group of buildings distributed throughout the area and presents architectural diversity.
For this reason, is considered one of the most important architectural works of the zone. If you are into having ancient cultural experiences, this place will be for you. There are some tour operators that can take you here on a full-day tour as well.
Mancora is one of the top attractions to visit in Peru and therefore receives a large number of tourists every year. Its tropical waters and sunny climate make it ideal to relax at the beach and have a good time. You can also find good waves which make it perfect for practicing surf and other sports.
Also, the nightlife is great here as there are many bars and party hostels all over the place. Making Mancora an attraction mainly visited by young people nowadays.
These lagoons are very famous by the locals for having medicinal properties. Many travelers arrive out of curiosity and others looking for solutions to their illnesses and even love. There are rituals of bathing in the waters of the lagoons performed by the locals who believe in the great power of this natural resource. If you love nature, Las Huarungas Lagoons are the perfect spot with no doubt. It’s a natural destination in Piura worth visiting.
If you are looking to relax by the sea, then you have to visit these beaches. Since Piura has a tropical climate, the beaches here are very famous throughout the country. Due to their crystal waters and a large amount of marine life, people come here to do some outdoor activities and relax.
There are a lot of hotels and restaurants as the zone has developed tourism in the last years. Unlike Mancora, this place is mostly visited by families.
They are a group of at least 240 petroglyphs that are engraved in different stones of different sizes. It is believed that they are between 2,000 and 1,000 years old on average and their origin is related to the culture of the Ayahuancas who settled in the area around that time.
In this place you will enjoy a more cultural experience learning from an ancestral culture that lived hundreds of years ago.
Piura’s cuisine is delicious, part of its tradition, and recognized for its mix of Andean, Spanish, and seafood products, especially the use of fish. There is no doubt Piura has one of the most delicious food throughout the country so do not hesitate to taste as much as you can.
Among the most representative dishes are the ceviche, cabrito a la norteña, Sudado de mariscos, and Seco de Chavelo. Please do not leave Piura without having tried any of these dishes, you will not regret it.
Updated information regarding coronavirus in Peru. Some positive things have come out throughout the last few weeks. Stay informed on the recent events and prepare for your upcoming trip to Peru.
Peru has been one of the countries heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. Even though president Martín Vizcarra has taken strict measures to stop the spread of the virus. It seems that it’s not enough to control the situation. By now, all international borders of the country remain close and tourism can not emerge.
However not everything is bad news, in the last few weeks, the Peruvian government has announced new measures to reactivate the economy of the country. This is a good sign that we are following the right track.
The Peruvian government has already announced free transit through the country. Even so, there are still regions blocked out due to the high rate of coronavirus cases. This includes Arequipa, Junín, Ica, San Martín, Huánuco, Madre de Dios and Áncash.
As a consequence, air and ground transport companies have begun operations within the country. But things are not that easy, they need to follow strict protocols in order to provide a safe service to all their users. This includes less capacity, a better ventilation system, use of mask and face protectors, and more.
Many Peruvians who were stuck have returned with their families. Despite this fact, authorities have not specified whether or not traveling for touristic porpuses is allowed.
Cusco is one of the regions that live clearly from tourism. For this reason, the Cusco regional government has proposed reopening the border as citizens depend on this activity. They expect to resume tourism gradually and start attending local visitors. Later on, allow international travel for some countries in Latin America and so on.
Until proper protocols get established, Cusco won’t be able to receive tourists. Recovering from such a big economic impact will be hard indeed. Authorities only hope the virus can be controlled shortly.
Protocols as social distancing, use of masks, and even face covering are still mandatory. However, the quarantine has finished a few weeks ago. People can freely transit as long as they respect all protocols given by the ministry of health.
It’s important to note that the state of emergency will continue throughout the whole year. Public health authorities will put all their effort to prevent the spread of the virus and try to minimize the impact.
Restaurants can attend public as long as they follow all the protocols established by the Ministry of Health. Delivery service continues to be the favorite among Peruvians. However, people can now enjoy eating out along with their friends or family. Thanks to these measures the food industry has faith in overcoming the situation.
The employment rate is growing each day and the economy seems to be recovering little by little. Hopefully, more activities can join the reactivation, and perhaps tourism can emerge soon.
Months ago, the hotels only provided their facilities to quarantine people who arrive in the country via repatriation flights. Now then, since phase 2 of the resumption of economic activities began, the hotels have gradually recovered their functions.
Although hotels can work, there are several strict protocols they need to follow. This involves taking the temperature to all their visitors and disinfect constantly all the spaces. On the other side, the capacity of the establishments has been reduced. Apart from that, all the services offered must respect all the measures indicated by the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Health.
Thankfully, the government is compromised to support the tourist sector. There is still hope tourism can emerge and people don’t miss the opportunity to visit Peru. The COVID-19 pandemic has hitten the country pretty hard indeed, however, It doesn’t mean we can not fully recover.
Many measures have been applied in the last few weeks. Some industries had the chance to recover and move on so not everything is lost. Maybe in a not distant future, a large number of travelers can come to visit Peru as it was in the past.
Regularly Updated Information about the Coronavirus outbreak, how it affects Peru and how you should prepare if you plan to visit the country.
Peru has closed its borders for 15 days until March 31 2020, to control the Coronavirus contagion curve.
Machu Picchu and other tourist attractions will remain closed over that period.
Coronavirus has been reported in Peru, but the numbers are low. Find the exact data here.
Peruvian authorities have decided to take action for 15 days by restricting the mobility of people in the territory, as well as closing borders until March 31. Food supplies and the movement of people who wish to return to their homes have also been guaranteed. Markets, pharmacies, banks and, of course, hospital and health centers will remain open during these 15 days and the mobilization of their workers is guaranteed.
Peruvian officials have released the official budget and plan of action that is in place for dealing with the virus:
A mobile hospital has been set up in Lima airport in order to test people as they arrive, and nine more hospitals are set to appear if the risk of the virus rises.
The restriction of mobilization in Peru to avoid infections by Covid-19 includes access to the mythical Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain. All tours are temporarily canceled until April 1st.
The official advice from the World Health Organization is that there is no need to stop any travel plans. You are at no more risk while traveling than you are staying at home. In fact, in Peru the case numbers are so staggeringly low, you may be safer in Peru.
Since the virus is NOT airborne and thanks to the specialized ventilation on airplanes designed to clean and ventilate the air, air travel should be of no concern. The virus can survive on surfaces for up to 30 minutes and you cannot get the virus if you have not been in contact with someone who has the virus or someone who is a carrier.
Since the virus is spread through droplets, ensure that you wash your hands thoroughly and that you follow proper coughing and sneezing etiquette. Proper coughing and sneezing etiquette mean that you cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, your hand, or your elbow. Then dispose of the tissue and wash your hands.
You should also follow proper food hygiene precautions, washing your hands, vegetables, and implements well before use and ensuring all your food is properly cooked.
The use of masks is very effective for people who are ALREADY affected with the disease. Unfortunately, for those who are not infected, it does not do too much to help prevent the spread of infection. Official advice is to avoid hysteria buying and to leave masks for those who need them: people who are infected with the virus and people who are caring for those with the virus.
Remember, the virus is spread through droplets, so washing your hands or using an alcohol-based gel is actually much more effective protection.
Wash your hands and monitor yourself for any symptoms that may appear. If you are truly concerned then try to stay at home for a maximum of 2 weeks. If no symptoms have presented themselves by then, you are fine. If you start to experience symptoms such as fever and shortness of breath, then seek medical advice.
If you are showing symptoms of being infected with the Coronavirus then call your local medical center. They should give you advice about the best place to go to. You can then put on one of the masks as you go to visit them. Try not to cough on anyone.
85% of cases are mild cases and people are able to recover at home. There are people who are more at risk, such as the elderly or those with existing breathing issues. If you are told your symptoms are mild, but they last longer than 2 weeks or you experience difficulty breathing then seek medical attention again.
