Acondor day makes the whole trip worth it. This 2-day run takes you from Arequipa into Colca Canyon and onward to Puno, with plenty of high-altitude wildlife stops along the way.

I especially like how the route mixes big-sky viewpoints with animal watching. You start in the Salinas and Aguada Blanca area to spot vicuñas, then later you get the Chivay base with optional hot springs and even a folklore dinner show.

One thing to weigh: the day 2 transfer to Puno can feel long, and altitude can still be a factor even with stops for acclimatization like coca tea. If you are sensitive, plan to go slow on day 1 and keep meals light.

Key points before you go

• Small group, limited to 18 means less crowding at viewpoints and easier guide attention.
• Chivay is your “home base” for a comfortable night, not just a bus stop.
• Hot springs in Chacapi are there if you want the recovery option, not forced.
• Condors at Cruz del Cóndor are the main show, and you need the mandatory ticket.
• Wildlife stops along the way include vicuñas, and you also pass areas with alpacas grazing freely.
• Arrival in Puno around 7:30 pm puts you in position for Lake Titicaca next without extra transfers.

Colca Canyon in 2 days, with more than just viewpoints

The Colca Canyon trip works because it respects what your body and your eyes need. Day 1 gets you up to altitude gradually with multiple scenic pauses, so you are not just thrown into the deepest canyon on day one. Then day 2 focuses on the signature moment, the Andean condor flight from Cruz del Cóndor, followed by a few more canyon-and-village viewpoints before you head to Puno.

Price-wise, it is not a bargain tour where you sit in a van and hope for the best. At $78 per person, you are paying for guided transportation across a big region, guided stops, and the guided transfer to Puno. What you need to budget for separately are the mandatory condor viewpoint ticket and any optional add-ons like hot springs.

Day 1: From Arequipa pickup to Chivay, plus the acclimatization stops

You start with a hotel pickup in central Arequipa between 7:30 am and 8:00 am. Your guide keeps the day moving with a clear rhythm, and the group stays together thanks to that small size (up to 18 people).

The drive to Chivay takes about 4 hours when you include stops. A big reason this matters is altitude. Colca is high, and the tour builds in short breaks that make the long route feel less brutal.

Salinas and Aguada Blanca Reserve, where vicuñas are the headliners

Early on, you pass through the National Reserve of Salinas and Aguada Blanca. This is where you look for vicuñas living in the area. You do not need to be a wildlife expert to enjoy it. What you are really getting is the sense of place, the high Andean grasslands where these animals have adapted for real daily life.

If you like photographing wildlife, aim for patience. These animals may not be constantly close, but the open conditions often give you good sightlines.

Patahuasi coca tea stop, altitude help in a cup

Near the way to Chivay, you stop at Patahuasi for the traditional coca tea. The tour presents it for a reason tied to altitude sickness. Whether you are very sensitive or just cautious, it is a smart moment to slow down, sip something warm, and let your breathing settle before you go higher.

This is also a nice cultural pause. It is not just a scenic pull-off. It is a simple local habit.

Toccra Bofedales and free-grazing alpacas

Next you get a stop at the Toccra Bofedales, where you can see a lot of alpacas grazing freely. The wording matters here. These are not staged animals. The grazing is part of the landscape’s everyday life.

If you are traveling with kids or people who get bored at quick “look and go” stops, this is a good counterweight. Animals give the route a natural breathing space.

Mirador de los Volcanes at about 4,800m, big views near the top

You also make a stop at Mirador de los Volcanes, described as the highest point on the road at around 4,800 meters. From there, you can see a wide part of the western mountain range.

Two practical tips for this stop:

• Dress for cold. High points can feel much colder than you expect.
• Take a moment before pulling out your camera. At altitude, you want your breathing under control first, then your hands will cooperate.

After that, it is roughly 40 minutes to Chivay.

Lunch in Chivay, then settle in for your hot springs evening

By around 12:30 pm, you arrive in Chivay and enjoy lunch. Lunch is described as paid on behalf of the client, so you are not scrambling for food after a long morning.

Then you check in to your hotel. Here is a key planning note: you must book a hotel within the town of Chivay. If your hotel is outside town, you will likely need extra transfer costs to meet the itinerary.

In the afternoon, you have the option of soaking at the Hot Springs (Chacapi). Entry is extra at $5 per person. The pools are described as 35ºC to 38ºC, which is exactly what you want after a day of altitude and sweeping drives.

For dinner, you can attend a folklore show with typical dances of the area, also described as paid on behalf of the client.

Overnight is in Chivay, which is a big quality-of-life upgrade compared with doing everything as a strict same-day loop. You get to sleep somewhere rather than just chase a schedule.

Chivay is more than a pit stop

I like the Chivay setup because it gives you a real pause point. Instead of one long day of bus time followed by another long day, you get an actual evening rhythm: check in, eat, and decide whether you want the thermal waters.

And if you are thinking about altitude strategy, Chivay helps. The main town is about three hours from Arequipa, and the tour notes it is smart to arrive at least one day early to acclimatize. Even if you do not do that, having a full night in Chivay reduces the stress of trying to recover on the road.

Day 2: Condor flight at Cruz del Cóndor, then Andenerías and Maca

Day 2 begins with breakfast and then you head to the Mirador de la Cruz del Cóndor, about 30 minutes away from Chivay. This is the “everybody waits for this” part.

The mandatory condor ticket

Important: there is a mandatory entry ticket for Cruz del Cóndor. The tour states it is $20 per person. So if you are budgeting, do not assume your money is only covering the $78 base.

At the viewpoint, you spend about 45 minutes looking for the condors. In real life, that timing is what makes the difference between rushing past the view and actually enjoying it. Even if the condors take a bit longer to show, you have the time to settle in.

Viewpoints on the return, including Andenería del Valle

On the way back, you stop at additional viewpoints where you can see the Andenería del Valle. This is where you get the sense of Andean engineering and farming adapted to steep terrain. It is not just a pretty view, it is a reminder that people have lived and worked here for a long time.

Maca church stop, plus optional Colca Sour

You also stop in Maca to see its church. If you want a local drink, there is an optional chance to taste a Colca Sour made from local products.

This is a good moment to slow down, because by early afternoon you are shifting gears from canyon viewing into travel mode again.

Lunch in Chivay, then you switch vehicles to continue to Puno

Around 12:00 pm, you have lunch in Chivay. Then at about 1:15 pm, the tour ends for Arequipa. You board another transport with your guide and move on to Puno.

This is also why the tour feels like two linked journeys. You are not doing a quick Colca visit and then stopping. You are traveling the region like a circuit, with planned stops for views and nature.

From Colca to Puno: the guided transfer through nature and wildlife areas

After lunch, you head to Puno with guided tourist transport and a professional guide. The tour mentions stops for attractive points and protected natural areas with flora and fauna along the route between Colca and Puno.

By 7:30 pm, you arrive in Puno. Drop-off depends on traffic and is either at Hotel Conde de Lemus or at Gran Unidad School in San Carlos. Both are described as being about two blocks from the main square of Puno.

This arrival timing is practical. If you want to move straight into Lake Titicaca plans the next day, you are not losing a half day to transfers.

Still, plan for comfort. At the end of two big days, the road time can feel like a lot. Some travelers note that the transfer can be long after the rest of the program. If you are prone to motion sickness or fatigue, bringing something simple for comfort (water, warm layers, and a snack you know you can tolerate) makes the difference.

What you are paying for, and what costs extra

At $78 per person, this tour is built around four things:

1. Guided transportation through the Arequipa and Colca region.
2. A professional guide in English and Spanish plus permanent assistance.
3. Lunch and dinner moments that are described as paid on behalf of the client (including the Chivay lunch and the folklore dinner).
4. A guided transfer from Colca to Puno, with stops.

What is not included is also clearly spelled out:

• Non-reserved food beyond what is paid on behalf.
• Optional hot springs entry, at $5 per person.
• Accommodation in Chivay (you need to book your own hotel).
• The mandatory Cruz del Cóndor ticket, $20 per person.

So the true cost is usually higher than $78 once you add those items. But you should still see the value. You are not just buying transport. You are paying for guided context, timing, and access to viewpoint areas that take time to reach.

How the guide makes or breaks the experience

This tour lives and dies on pacing and interpretation. The best moments are the ones where you understand what you are seeing.

Several guides mentioned in real feedback from this kind of program share a common style: lots of stories and explanations about villages, crops, geology, animals, and birds. I’d treat that as a sign that your guide will likely connect the dots for you instead of repeating only basic facts.

You will also feel the difference in driving style and timing. When the driver and guide coordinate well, you spend more time at viewpoints and less time feeling stuck in transit.

If you want to get the most out of it, do one small thing: ask your guide one question while you are stopped, not while you are driving. People remember those answers later when they look at photos.

Who this Colca to Puno tour suits best

This is a strong fit if you:

• Want Colca Canyon without committing to a longer multi-day trek
• Like wildlife spotting, especially vicuñas and alpacas
• Want a comfortable overnight in Chivay instead of sleeping in transit
• Are ready to keep moving, since the trip ends in Puno for Lake Titicaca

It is less ideal if you:

• Hate long road days and want minimal time on buses
• Are very sensitive to altitude and did not plan any extra acclimatization time before you start
• Want a fully hands-off experience where no extra tickets are ever needed, because the condor viewpoint has a mandatory entry cost

Should you book it?

If your goal is simple, see Colca Canyon properly, watch for condors, and end in Puno without extra headaches, I think this tour is an easy yes. The combination of a realistic day 1 approach, a real night in Chivay, and a guided transfer to Puno is good planning for travelers who want both nature and logistics handled.

Before you book, do two things:

• Budget the extra $20 condor ticket plus the optional $5 hot springs if you want them.
• Book a hotel inside Chivay to avoid surprise transfer costs.

If you do those, you will be set up for two days that feel like more than sightseeing, they feel like moving through the region in a way you can actually enjoy.

FAQ

Is pickup included in Arequipa?

Yes. Pickup is included from hotels in central Arequipa. The guide will ask for the clients at the door of the hotel and confirm names at pick-up time. If you are in a remote hotel, the meeting point is at the door of the Cathedral in the main square.

Do I need a hotel in Chivay?

Yes, you need accommodation in the town of Chivay, and the tour specifically says it is necessary to book a hotel within Chivay. If your hotel is outside the town of Chivay, extra transfer costs may be required to meet the itinerary.

Are the hot springs included?

Hot springs are optional. Optional entry to the hot springs (Chacapi) costs $5 per person. The pools are described as 35ºC to 38ºC.

Do I need a ticket for the condor viewpoint?

Yes. Entry to Mirador de la Cruz del Cóndor is mandatory and costs $20 per person.

What wildlife stops are included?

You pass through the Salinas and Aguada Blanca area where you can see vicuñas. You also stop at Toccra Bofedales to observe alpacas grazing freely. The tour also includes Salinas National Reserve, where camelids exist.

What time do you arrive in Puno?

You arrive in Puno around 7:30 pm. You are dropped off at either Hotel Conde de Lemus or Gran Unidad School in San Carlos, both described as about two blocks from the main square.

What languages is the guide available in?

The guide provides interpretation in English and Spanish.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes, the tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and it also offers a reserve now & pay later option.