2 Days 1 Night trekking Through Colca Canyon, Private room

This experience is interesting because it mixes a tough mountain hike with the kind of wildlife and starry night that feels made for early risers. You start in the dark, hike inside Colca Canyon, and you get built-in chances to watch condors and spot alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas.

I love that you sleep at Sangalle oasis, with a pool to unwind and a night sky moment before you rest. One possible drawback to keep in mind: the route is physically demanding, with major climbs and descents, and it is not recommended if you have a leg injury.

Key highlights worth knowing

• Early start, real mountain hiking with a departure in the 3:20 to 3:40 am window
• Condor and llama, alpaca, vicuña sightings built into the day
• Sangalle oasis night with a pool and time to see the stars
• Day 2 sunrise hike where you need a snack before breakfast
• Terraces and viewpoints on the return in Maca, plus Chacapi hot springs
• Small group size with a maximum of 17 people

Why Colca Canyon Hikes Start in the Dark

Colca Canyon sits in the “big, serious hike” category for a reason. It is the fourth deepest canyon in the world, and the trail is all about getting down and then climbing back up through dramatic terrain. That is why the day begins so early, between 3:20 and 3:40 am after you meet before that.

The upside of the early start is that you’re not racing the day’s heat. You also get the chance to hike during cooler hours, and the views you’ll earn along the way matter more because you’re not just walking around town. This is a canyon trek with actual effort baked in.

If you like the idea of earning sunrise light and closing the loop with hot springs, this itinerary fits that mood well. Just remember, this is not an easy stroll. One review called it demanding, and the meter counts here are pretty clear in plain language: you’ll be going down and up a lot.

Meeting in Arequipa and Getting Ready for a Long Day

You meet at Flying Dog Hostel Arequipa in the Melgar area (Calle Melgar 116, near Calle Riveros). Your start time is listed as 3:00 am, and the trek itself begins between 3:20 and 3:40 am.

That timing matters because you’ll spend a lot of hours in transit and on foot. Plan your evening meal like you would for a long hiking day, and be ready for an “early means efficient” schedule. The tour includes transportation and a bilingual guide, which helps a lot when you’re tired and the route gets technical.

A few practical notes that affect comfort:

• Bottled water is not included, so plan on buying or bringing it.
• Personal care items are not included (towel, soap, toilet paper), so treat that as a packing checklist item.
• The park and hot springs are not free, so you will want cash or payment ready for those fees later.

Day 1 in Colca Canyon: Stops, Wildlife, and Big Changes in Elevation

On the first day, you hike inside the canyon with planned stops for wildlife. The schedule includes viewing condors, which are described as sacred birds of the Incas, plus the possibility to see alpacas, vicuñas, and llamas. You may also catch views of volcanoes in the broader scenery when conditions allow.

What I like about this first-day structure is that it keeps your eyes moving. You’re not just staring at the ground to survive the next switchback. Those short stops give you a break without turning the day into a slow sightseeing bus.

The big thing you should take seriously is effort. You will be walking down and upwards for a long stretch. One standout review praised the tour as well planned and full of adventure, but still emphasized that the hike is physically demanding because of the ascent and descent. That lines up with what you feel on a canyon trail: you can be strong, but your legs still pay attention.

A real-world caution about pace and communication

One review mentioned the guide did not wait much for hikers who were slower, and communication could have been better. I would treat that as a cue to protect your own energy on day 1:

• Tell your guide early if you move at a slower pace.
• Don’t assume the group will naturally bunch back up every time.
• Manage expectations. This is a guided trek, not a private “my pace only” hike.

Sangalle Oasis at Night: Pool Time and a Stars-After-Dinner Moment

After your day of hiking, you rest at Sangalle oasis. The tour includes a night of accommodation in a private room with a shower. There is also a pool where you can recover and a chance to look at the stars at night before sleeping.

This is where the trek becomes more than just a workout. Sangalle gives you a calm pause after the effort, and the pool is a practical perk when your body is tired and stiff. Star watching also sounds simple, but it’s usually the type of payoff you only get when you commit to the full schedule.

Now, here’s the balance point. One review flagged an unpleasant accommodation issue: no warm shower and spiders beneath the bed. That doesn’t mean every room will be the same, but it does mean you should set expectations for basic conditions. Pack like you might need to be flexible about comfort, and bring your own personal care items since those are not included.

Day 2 Sunrise Climb to Cabanaconde, Then Breakfast After

The second day starts with an early hike up the mountain. This is timed for sunrise, with the description that you’ll hike while the sun is rising. The key practical detail here is blunt and important: bring a snack, because breakfast comes after the hike in Cabanaconde town.

I really like that the tour makes this requirement explicit. It stops you from being caught hungry and cranky on a steep climb. If you want to enjoy sunrise light instead of counting the minutes until food, do not skip the snack.

After the sunrise hike, you’ll have breakfast in Cabanaconde. From there, the day becomes less about leg-burning elevation and more about scenic stops and recovery time.

The Return Drive: Maca Andenes, Viewpoints, and Chacapi Hot Springs

After breakfast, you drive back with multiple stops designed to break up the journey and give you a couple of culture-and-view moments.

First up is Maca, followed by a viewpoint to observe the Andenes (terraces) that were used by the Incas. These stops matter because they connect the hike to a human story. You’re still moving through dramatic terrain, but now you’re also looking at how people shaped the slopes over centuries.

Then you get to the highlight for many people who want a “reward” part of the day: hot springs of Chacapi. The tour offers relaxation here, which makes sense after two days of climbs and descents. The hot springs entrance fee is listed as PEN 15.00 per person, and it is not included, so plan for that.

After the hot springs, you continue to Chivay, where an optional buffet is available. Finally, you return to Arequipa City around 5:00 pm, close to the Monastery of Santa Catalina, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

This back half is a smart design. Day 2 does not just end when you stop hiking. It keeps you engaged with viewpoints and then lets your body cool down in warm water.

Price and Value: What $105 Covers and What Costs Extra

The listed price is $105.00 per person for about 2 days. What you get for that money is fairly clear:

• 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
• 1 night accommodation in a private room with a shower
• Transportation and a bilingual guide

What’s not included is also clearly stated, and this is where you should do the math to judge real value:

• Park entrance fee: PEN 70.00 per person
• Hot springs entrance fee: PEN 15.00 per person
• Last lunch at Chivay: PEN 45.00 per person (unless you choose the optional buffet arrangement)
• Bottled water
• Personal care items like towel, soap, toilet paper

So is $105 a good deal? For many people, yes, especially because it includes guide time, transport, and lodging. But the “value” depends on how you handle the add-ons. Entrance fees can turn a bargain into a normal price if you don’t budget for them.

One negative review also complained about paying more when booking online compared to booking through a travel agency in Arequipa. I can’t help you predict what any specific booking channel will charge, but I can recommend this practical move: check the local total, not just the headline price. Ask what fees are already covered and what you’ll pay on-site.

Group Size and How the Trek Actually Feels

This tour runs with a maximum of 17 travelers. That matters more than people think. With a small group, guides can manage breaks and regrouping more easily than with large buses, and it tends to feel more conversational.

Still, the negative feedback about not waiting much for slower hikers is a reminder that group dynamics affect your comfort. If you know you hike slowly, build in extra time for stops. Also, be careful about pushing beyond what your legs can handle, because the day is long and you still have a sunrise hike the next day.

A small group usually gives you a smoother experience, but it does not guarantee a slow pace. Treat this as a “stay with the plan and speak up early” situation.

Who Should Book This Colca Canyon Trek (and Who Should Skip It)

This tour fits best if you want:

• A demanding two-day trek that goes beyond casual walking
• Built-in chances for condor watching
• A plan that includes recovery, not just mileage (Sangalle oasis, pool, and later hot springs)
• A structured day with viewpoints and terraces on the return

It may not fit you if:

• You have a leg injury. The tour explicitly says it is not recommended for travelers with leg hurt.
• You need a very cushy comfort level. One reviewer reported no warm shower and insects near the bed area, so be prepared for basic realities in the mountains.

If you’re the type who likes early mornings, can handle stairs and steep up-down days, and will enjoy the reward feeling after hot springs, this will likely land well.

My Decision Guide: Book or Pass

Book this trek if you want a true Colca Canyon hike with a structured route, wildlife stops, a memorable Sangalle night, and a recovery-focused finish at Chacapi hot springs. The high recommendation rate and strong rating suggest most people think the pacing and planning deliver the adventure they signed up for.

Pass or at least reconsider if you know you struggle with steep climbs, or if you need consistent comfort like warm showers. Also, if you’re sensitive to cold or bugs, pack your personal care items and set expectations that this is a mountain trek, not a hotel weekend.

If you book, do one simple thing that pays off immediately: bring your snack for the sunrise hike. That small move can make day 2 feel like an experience you enjoy, instead of a climb you survive.

FAQ

What time do we start from Arequipa?

You meet at 3:00 am, and the trek starts between 3:20 am and 3:40 am.

How long is the tour?

It runs for 2 days, approximately.

Do you get a private room?

Yes. The accommodation is described as a private room with a shower for one night.

What meals are included?

You get 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 1 dinner.

What is the park entrance fee?

The entrance fee to the park is PEN 70.00 per person.

Are the hot springs included?

No. The hot springs of Chacapi have an entrance fee of PEN 15.00 per person.

Is a snack needed on day 2?

Yes. You need to bring a snack because breakfast is after the morning hike in Cabanaconde.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 17 travelers.

Is this trek recommended if I have leg pain or injury?

It is not recommended for travelers with leg hurt.