Inca Trail, Machu Picchu Tours, Peru Tours

The Cotahuasi Canyon is well-known for its great panoramic views; this trek is a mix of fantastic sceneries that the north part of the Cotahuasi Canyon can offer us for 5 day of visit (we pass through the highest & longest hanging bridge, visiting geological rock formations, Inca and pre -Inca ruins, local textile factory, hot springs and more, besides we gonna have some stops to see the petrogliphs of Toro Muerto and the dinosaur footprints; for lunch we have the option of shrimps and rest on hammocks in the Majes River Lodge. Come and join us to enjoy...!

Time to visit: It is possible to visit during the whole year but the best time to visit is between April till November, then rain season comes and there are frequent wet days, despite of this you can always see the sun shining everyday.

Cotahuasi Canyon Itinerary

First day:

Arequipa-Petrogliphs of Toro Muerto-Chuquibamba-Cotahuasi, 380 km in 4x4 mini-truck

We leave Arequipa at 7AM to start the 380 km ride by 4x4, heading in the direction of the "petrogliphs of Toro Muerto", located in the Corire district, about 3 hours from Arequipa. Here there are around 5 miles of engraved stones to be seen. These engravings are dated between 700 & 800 AD, from the time of the Wari culture.
On this tour (Toro Muerto Petrogliphs), it will give us the opportunity to explore the numerous stones & rocks, and their different meanings.
Continuing on to the Valley of Majes, we will pass the many rice cultivations and vineyards of the region, also the village of Chuquibamba, which is known for its cheese & avocado. Here we will have the option of visiting a little museum dedicated to the local pre-Inca culture of the "Pachanas".
After Chuquibamba, we will enter an area at 4,700m. where there is an amazing view over snowy Coropuna (6,425m).
Just behind the lagoon of Pallarcocha is a magnificent landscape, representative of the south Peruvian Andes. It is important to note that snowy Coropuna is the tallest volcano in Peru. For the old Incas it was the “apu”, the most important holy mountain in the south of Peru.
At the end of the day we will arrive in Cotahuasi (2,600m.) after about a 10-hour ride.

Cotawasi is the capital of La Union province, and where we will be spending the night at a local hostal.

Second day:

Cotahuasi- Sipia- Chaupo

This trek is mostly desert, but there is a geological richness to be observed. The climate will be rather hot, as the region is not high above sea level (around 2,000m). We use a donkey (to transport the drinking water & meals). Also one horsemen is provided.
After breakfast, we will continue by truck crossing the Cotahuasi River over the bridges of Cuyao & Sipia.
This is where our 4-hour trek starts. We will pass the waterfall of Sipia with its 150m cascade. It is amazing to watch & listen to the battle between water & rocks roaring, as the water with its erosive powers step by step washes the rock away, creating an enormous gorge with a depth of 3,535m. Here it is worth mentioning that Colca Canyon has a depth of 3,217m., therefore Cotahuasi is 318m deeper !!!
After observing the falls, we will go to the little village of Chaupo. On our way there, we will pass by some fantastic countryside, including the red canyon that receives its name from its red stone colour, called arcilla.
The temperature here oscillates between 25 - 30 degrees.
We will stop in the “oasis of Chaupo” where apples, oranges & grapes are grown, and the local wine is produced.

You have the option of making another 3-hour walk to the village of Velinga, depending on your physical condition at the time.

Third day:

Chaupo Bridge - Sipia - Andahua (visit to Volcano Valley)

In the morning after breakfast, we start our 3-hour hike to the bridge of Sipia, where our truck will be waiting to take us to the Valley of Volcanoes.
On this day, we will be passing close by the snowy Coropuna. After a 4-hour ride, we will arrive into the Valley of Volcanoes, we visit the Mirador of the Volcanoes and we do a small trek: We climb to the top of one of the small volcanoes, where we will spend the night in a basic hotel (family home).

Fourth day:

Valley of Volcanoes–Orcopampa- Chivay-Colca Valley

On this day, we go to the village of Orcopampa, then we continue to Chivay (Colca Valley). Between the Volcanoes Valley & the Colca valley, we can see andean birds, llamas, alpacas & local people. On this part of the region you don't see any tourists.  Hotel in Chivay.

Fifth day:

Chivay - Visiting Colca Canyon (Condor Cross)-Arequipa

We will go to the Condor Cross to enjoy a glimpse of the condors in their natural habitat, as well as a viewpoint overlooking terraces and the colonial villages of Pinchollo, Maca & Yanque (We visit the Colca valley). Other viewpoints such as Antahuilque & Mollepunku afford us views of pre-Inca terraces and above-ground graves belonging to the Collagua period. Lunch in Chivay (optional hot springs at "La Calera") before we make the return trip to Arequipa, passing by the national reserves of Aguada Blanca & Salinas on the way back, where we'll see llamas, alpacas and vicuñas. We’ll also make a stop at the 4,912m high viewpoint of Los Andes.

We arrive back in Arequipa at 5PM.

Included

• Transport by private car during the trip.
• All transfers.
• Oxygen equipment & First-aid kit.
• Entrance fee to National Reserve & Aguada Blanca + Salinas.
• Entrance fee to Cotahuasi canyon.
• Entrance fee to Andagua (volcanoes valley).
• Trekking into the Cotahuasi canyon.
• Trekking official guide.
• All meals.
• Donkey (to carry all your bags - day 2 & day 3).
• Muleteer.
• Accommodation one night in Cotahuasi village.
• Accommodation one night in tents in Chaupo.
• Accommodation in Andagua village (basic hostal).
• Accomodations in Chivay (hotel).
• Ticket for La Calera (hot springs).
• Tents and mattresses.
• Cooking equipment.

Not included

• Water.
• Snacks.
• Tips.

What to bring ?

• Swimming wear.
• Torch/Flashlight.
• Sunblock.
• Insect Repellent (Specially if you have sweet blood for them).
• Towels.
• Basics.
• Snacks.
• Water (you can buy in all the villages).
• Cap or hat.
• Personal medications.
• Hiking stick(s).
• Sleeping bag, up the trekking.
• Enthusiasm.

* There's no risk of Malaria at all.

• The passenger is under the obligation to mention of any health problems or past injury to assure and guarantee the safety of the trip.
• We must ask if the person is vegetarian or not to make the arrangements for his/her food.

ABOUT THE FOOD

We must say if the person is vegetarian to make the arrangements for his/her food.

ABOUT THE GUIDES:

The stuff is competent and is being trained eventually, every now and then (Official guides).