PERU · HIKING & TREKKING IN AREQUIPA
Good hiking & trekking in Arequipa fill weeks ahead and the best go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each one includes, and how they differ once you look past the photos.
2-day, 1-night Colca Canyon trek from Arequipa to Sangalle with meals, bilingual guides, and optional hot springs.
“Amazing trek! The guide Rafael made sure we got the full Colca canyon experience. It wasn't just the views, but his explanations of the culture, pointing out the various fruits and plants, and making sure we get around to see the different sites (including some animals and a volcano). Highly recommend!”
Half day Sillar Route trek from Arequipa, active quarries, a canyon with Wari petroglyphs, and volcano viewpoints.
“Great value for money, lovely to see the Sillar route. We took the afternoon session and the light was fantastic.”
Trek Colca Canyon in 3 days, with early starts, condors at Cruz del Condor, oasis swimming in Sangalle, and a full return to Arequipa.
“Absolutely beautiful scenery and well put together itinery. We were very fortunate that we arrived at a time when there were multiple condors to be seen from the view point - fantastic. The hiking was quite energetic - I was VERY glad I opted to take the 3 rather than 2 day option. The food at the 1st nights accomodation was surprisingly good. The room with ensuite basic but fine. The 2nd night we (couple) had a large room that could have slept 4 but it was definitely no frills. All quite acceptable if you are used to staying in basic hostels. However the pool at the second nights accom…”
2-day Colca Canyon trek from Arequipa with pre-dawn pickup, condor flights at Cruz del Cóndor, Sangalle oasis night, and Chacapi hot springs.
“The transport from the hotel to the canyon, and from the canyon to Chivay was well organised. Everything went well. Our guide, Luigi Ormachea, was great. He explained many details about the Canyon, historical and cultural facts, and he was very helpful when group members had problems, e.g. with their shoes. Also, he gave the group a lot of motivation throughout the whole trip (which is exhausting in some parts) and used his humour to make everyone feel good, while at the same time pushing the group to reach the bottom of the canyon on time. The hike has definitely been an adventure and I can highly recommend Luigi as…”
2 days trekking Colca Canyon from Arequipa with an English guide, condors at Condor Cross, Sangalle bungalows, and hot springs in Yanque.
“Ghersy was the best guide of our entire Peru trip. He is friendly, funny, and knowledge about the area, plants, and people. Even though the hiking was challenging, our small group had a blast! It was an amazing experience.”
A 2-day Colca Canyon trek from Arequipa with condors, a sunrise uphill, and an overnight at Cielo Azul Lodge with pool time.
“A couple of us in the group had heat realted sickness at first day of hiking. Our tour guide was super helpful to get us through the day. We chosed the mule ride for the next days's ascending hike. Mule operators did not seem understand that some of us were first time mule/horse riders. My foots was not adjusted to the foot cups before took off. After I screamed the mule guide stopped to put my foots in but he did not audjusted the position of side strips ( I have short legs), so my foots kept coming off the foot cups. My friend with another mule guide had the…”
A 4.5-hour Arequipa tour linking the Route of Sillar with a short Culebrillas canyon walk, Añashuayco quarry carving, and big views.
“Véhicule neuf. La visite a eu lieu seulement en espagnol car le guide anglais était malade. On nous a toutefois offert de reporter, mais nous avions autre chose. Le tour a commencé 30 minutes plus tard et nous n’avons pas eu assez de temps pour apprécier totalement.”
Hike to Capua Waterfall, soak in volcanic hot springs at El Tigre, then visit Yura Viejo church from Arequipa. Small group, 8.5 hours.
“We really enjoyed this hike and our guide, Pablo, was wonderful and very helpful. We were the only ones on the trail which made this feel like we were being shown and unknown locals-only type trail. We walked in our hiking shoes through the river which was unique and pretty fun (be sure to pack some sandals for after!). Pablo did the hike in Tivas/Chacos with a strap, so you've got some options when it comes to footwear. Also, be such to bring sunscreen and bug spray! The waterfall was beautiful and so was the canyon overall. Pablo was really helpful in took lots of photos of us throughout the…”
3-day Colca Canyon trek from Arequipa with a professional guide: condors at Cruz del Condor, Sangalle oasis, and Chacapi hot springs.
“We took the three day Colca Canyon trek with a transfer to Puno. The trek was well organized, with very nice accommodations and delicios food all the way. We would like to thank Ghersy, our trekking guide, who did a very great job. We are also thankful to the drivers who drove safely on steep mountain roads. The transfer to Puno went also well, with our luggages stored at the location where the trek started.”
2-day Colca Canyon trek from Arequipa to Sangalle, condor views and hot springs, then a one-way transfer to Puno.
“Booked this tour online, only to learn on the tour that everybody else just booked at the local office in Arequipa and paid literally LESS THAN HALF of what we did. Viator will not honor their "Lowest Price Guarantee" for various shady reasons (e.g. they do not accept photos of the other participants' tickets as proof because the price is stated in Peruvian Soles... yeah well, of course, they booked locally and paid in the local currency). So, buyers beware: If you absolutely have to book on Viator, make sure to always choose the local currency for payments and be prepared to be massively overcharged.”
4-hour Ruta del Sillar hike in Arequipa, with Yanahura views, sillar quarries, Culebrillas canyon and ancient petroglyphs, plus photo stops.
A tough 2-day Colca Canyon hike from Arequipa, down to Sangalle Oasis, with condors at Cruz del Cóndor and Chivay hot springs.
“The sites are amazing. The trek is a challenge that I really enjoyed. There were times when communication could've been better. Our guide was ahead when a group member fell and needed assistance, fortunately the group had supplies and helped. Partially the hikers fault for underestimating the trek and wearing poor shoes. I think there should either be an endurance test or great emphasis on the needs of each person and their physical health.”
4-hour Ruta del Sillar and Culebrillas hike in Arequipa. Working quarries, canyon walk with petroglyphs, volcano views, and sillar culture.
“This was a good tour the only thing was our guide seemed very nervous and her accent was really heavy so most the time on the microphone we could not hear her or understand”
Hike Colca Canyon for condors, descend to Sangalle Oasis pools, then finish in Puno with optional Chacapi hot springs.
“Tolle Hiking Tour mit erfahrenen Guide der gute Tipps gegeben hat. Die Tour war schon anspruchsvoll, belohnt aber mit fantastische Landschaft, Kondore, Wasserfälle und wunderschöne Einblicke in den Canyon. Leider klärt der Anbieter nicht exakt über die benötigte Ausstattung auf. Ein Hinweis auf Walking- Stöcke und vor allem eine Stirnlampe um am nächsten Morgen im Dunkeln den Berg hoch zu klettern, wären wichtig gewesen!”
A 4.5-hour Ruta del Sillar hike from Arequipa through quarries, Culebrillas canyon, and volcano viewpoints, with great photo stops.
“Gids spraak nauwelijks Engels ook nadat we in een andere groep werden geplaatst. Eerste deel was zeer matig. Leukste deel was de korte wandeling door een kloof. Zou het niet aanraden”
Pick a kind of day, and see the best of it.
