Multi-Day Trips from Arequipa

October 30, 2026

Trips of two days or more let you see the Colca valley and the high plateaus without the 3:00 AM start of the day tour. Arequipa is at about 2,335 m, Chivay at about 3,600 m and the road passes about 4,800 m, so spend one full day in the city first. Fares are in soles (S/).

Colca, 2 days and 1 night

The standard two-day trip drives from Arequipa to Chivay, stops at Cruz del Cóndor and sleeps in the valley, in Chivay, Yanque or Cabanaconde. You return the next afternoon. Sample operator prices run about S/250 to 350, but they change with the season and with what is included, so ask what the quote covers. The Colca boleto turístico is S/70 for foreign adults and is usually extra. The official Colca site lists the tariffs.

A trek variant goes from Cabanaconde, at about 3,287 m, down to Sangalle, the oasis on the canyon floor at roughly 2,100 m. Lodging there is basic, with spring-fed pools. The climb out takes about 3 hours of steep switchbacks, quoted at 2.5 to 4 hours, and is best started before dawn because the canyon floor gets hot. Carry at least 2.5 litres of water. Mules can be hired for the climb out.

Colca, 3 days and 2 nights

Three days allow a longer trek. You descend to San Juan de Chuccho and sleep there, walk on from Malata or Cosnirhua to Sangalle, and climb out on day three. It suits fit walkers who have already spent time at altitude.

Cotahuasi canyon

Cotahuasi is a trip of three to four days. The town is in La Unión province, about 380 km from Arequipa and 9 to 12 hours by road. The canyon is about 3,354 m deep, which makes it one of the deepest canyons in the world. A bus fare of about S/55 was quoted around Holy Week 2026, and normal fares are lower. The Sipia waterfall, about 150 m high, is the usual highlight. Day trips here are not realistic.

Volcano expeditions

Misti (5,822 m) is an active, monitored volcano with fumaroles and an iron cross on the summit. It is a one or two day climb over loose ash. Chachani (6,057 m) uses a 4x4 track to about 5,000 m and has a reputation for altitude failures. Ampato (6,288 m) is a glaciated snow climb. These are mountaineering trips that need a licensed guide and good acclimatisation. Ask each operator what equipment is provided.

Overland extensions

Buses run to Puno in about 5.5 to 6.5 hours and to Cusco in about 10 to 11 hours. Fares jump at holidays: around Holy Week 2026 Puno cost S/70 to 80 and Cusco from S/70. Sillustani is a trip from Puno, not from Arequipa.

Rain and protests

The wet season runs about December to March and brings landslides on Colca roads. Peru is Level 2 on the US scale. Protests and road blockades in the south can stop buses, so check with your operator the day before.

Compare itineraries: Arequipa multi-day tours on Viator . Travel advice: UK FCDO for Peru .