Two days are enough to see Arequipa’s white historic center and the Colca Canyon, as long as you accept one very early morning. Day 1 is the city, on foot, with time for a picantería lunch and sunset in Yanahuara. Day 2 is the Colca full day: pickup at 3:00, condors at the Cruz del Cóndor and the villages of the valley, back around 18:00.
Walking tour of the historic center: the Plaza de Armas and cathedral, the Jesuit church, the San Ignacio chapel and colonial sillar mansions. Meeting point half a block from the Plaza.
11:00
Optional: the Santa Catalina Monastery, about one extra hour.
13:00
Lunch at a picantería (not included). Try rocoto relleno or chupe de camarones.
Sunset
Free time. Walk to the Yanahuara viewpoint to see the Misti behind the arches.
Times are the usual schedule of each tour and are confirmed with your final itinerary. Colca tours pick you up at your hotel in the historic center.
What’s included
Arequipa historic center walking tour with guide
Colca Canyon full day with hotel pickup and return
Transport in a tourist vehicle and bilingual guide in Colca
Breakfast on the Colca day
Not included
Colca tourist ticket: S/ 70 for foreign visitors, cash
Lunches (buffet in Colca about S/ 35)
Hot springs: S/ 15
Santa Catalina ticket and site guide
Hotels in Arequipa (quoted on request)
Airport or bus station transfers (quoted with your trip)
Tips and travel insurance
Prices
ToursPer person, group tours. Same price if you travel solo.
From $74
Private toursYour own guide and vehicle.
On request
HotelsComfortable 3★, Boutique 4★ or Luxury 5★.
On request
Want hotels included? Choose “Include hotels in my quote” in the form and pick 3★, 4★ or 5★.
Questions about this trip
Is two days enough for Arequipa and Colca?
Yes for the highlights, with one long day: the Colca full day is 14 to 15 hours. If you can add a day, the 3-day plan with a night in Chivay is more relaxed.
Can I do the Colca day right after arriving from Lima?
We don’t recommend it. The road crosses 4,910 m; do the city first and Colca the next day.
Can I go on to Puno after Colca?
Yes. Instead of returning to Arequipa, we arrange your transport from Chivay to Puno after the tour.
