Condors make Colca Canyon feel unreal. I like how this 2-day Colca Canyon itinerary keeps you moving through real mountain country, not just ticking boxes, and I also love the reset button of the Calera hot springs. One watch-out though: you pay extra for the canyon entrance and any hot-springs time, plus lunch and dinner are not included.

If you’re heading toward Puno anyway, this tour is a smart way to break up the journey. You get a guided look at Chivay and the canyon viewpoint, and you end with drop-off in downtown Puno so you can start your next plan without another day of guessing transportation.

Key highlights you will actually care about

• Cruz del Condor viewpoint, built for spotting condors in flight
• Calera hot springs with thermal water around 35°C to 38°C
• Small group size, capped at 17 participants
• 1 night in Chivay with a private bathroom (2-star hotel)
• A guided return with scenic stops before continuing to Puno
• English-speaking guide across both days (and Spanish support)

Why this Arequipa-to-Puno Colca Canyon plan makes sense

This is not just a canyon day. It’s a route that stitches together Arequipa, Colca Canyon, and Puno in two days, with sleep in Chivay in the middle. That matters, because Colca is spread out, and trying to do it with independent rides usually turns into lots of waiting and last-minute fixing.

I also like the structure. Day 1 is about getting positioned and relaxing, then Day 2 is about the canyon viewpoint moment when conditions are best for condors. If you’re short on time, that split keeps the important parts from feeling rushed.

Day 1 in Chivay: check in, then soak at Calera hot springs

You start with pickup from a downtown Arequipa hotel, then ride out through the countryside toward Chivay. Once you arrive, you check into your 2-star hotel, which includes a private bathroom. You’ll have time for lunch on your own, so plan on eating before you go into the springs.

Then comes Calera. The tour includes a visit to the thermal springs, where the water runs about 35°C to 38°C. I find that kind of warm, steady soak to be the perfect counterweight after a day of driving and high-altitude air. It’s not about luxury. It’s about feeling human again.

Practical notes for your comfort:

• Bring swimwear and a quick-dry towel if you have them, because you’ll want to actually use the water.
• Wear shoes that handle slick surfaces, especially if the ground is damp around pool areas.

Dinner is not included, so you’ll be making your own plan in Chivay for that evening meal.

Day 2 at Cruz del Condor: the condor viewpoint moment

After breakfast in Chivay, the tour heads to Cruz del Condor viewpoint. This is the headline stop because it’s set up for canyon views and it’s your main chance to see condors flying.

Here’s how to maximize your odds without getting stressed. Go up with patience, stay aware of the guide’s cues, and be ready for the fact that bird sightings are never guaranteed. If you do catch condors overhead, it’s one of those scenes that makes Colca feel bigger than photos.

After the viewpoint, the ride back toward Chivay includes guided stops for scenery, plus lunch on your own. Then the transportation continues onward to Puno, with drop-off at your hotel in downtown Puno.

Tip from me: keep your camera or phone ready, but don’t let it take over the moment. Colca moves fast, and you’ll see more by looking up and listening than by constantly filming.

Colca Canyon fees and what you should budget beyond the $103 price

The listed price is $103 per person, but the true cost depends on your entrance fees and meals. The tour price covers the guide, transport, your 1 night in Chivay, and one breakfast on Day 2. What it does not cover is the key paid entrances and most food.

You should plan for:

• Colca Canyon entrance tickets
• Non-Latin America: S/ 70.00
• Latin America: S/ 40.00
• Peruvians: S/ 20.00
• Hot springs entrance tickets in Calera: S/ 15.00 (optional service)
• Meals not included: lunch and dinner
• Options start around S/ 25.00 per person

Value check: even with those add-ons, this can still be good value because you’re paying for guided canyon time, a small-group setup, and a full transfer from Arequipa area to Puno area. If you tried to do it piecemeal, you’d likely spend similar money on rides, guides, and vehicle coordination, and still lose the simplicity of an organized route.

Getting to Puno without losing the day to transit

The best part of a transfer day is that it can be useful instead of just painful. This itinerary treats the Arequipa to Colca to Puno route like a sightseeing corridor.

On the way into Chivay on Day 1, you’re not just sitting on a bus. You get picked up from your downtown hotel, then ride to the canyon region with guided time once you arrive. On Day 2, you do viewpoint viewing, then you get guided stops again during the return toward Chivay, before heading to Puno.

What that means for you: you’re not stuck with a totally dead day where you arrive exhausted and still have to plan everything from scratch. By the time you reach Puno, the tour has already handled the complicated parts of getting from one region to the next.

The guide, the small group, and your 2-star base in Chivay

This is a small group tour limited to 17 participants, with an English-speaking guide for 2 days. That group size is a big deal in Colca country, where viewpoints and timing matter. In a smaller group, it’s easier to move together and hear instructions without feeling like you’re part of a stadium crowd.

Your hotel in Chivay is 2-star with a private bathroom. I see that as the tradeoff that makes the price possible. You’re paying for transportation, guidance, and the canyon day. You’re not paying for boutique accommodations in the middle of the Andes.

Comfort-minded things to pack for this style of trip:

• Layers for cool mornings and warmer daytime sun
• A light rain layer, since canyon regions can change quickly
• Sunscreen and sunglasses (high altitude sun can be intense)

Also, the guide is covering both English and Spanish support. If you speak Spanish, you may catch extra explanations, but English should be the main way you get the story.

Altitude reality check: when this tour may not be for you

This tour is not suitable for people with altitude sickness. That’s worth taking seriously. Even if you feel fine on arrival, the routine of altitude plus long days can hit people differently.

If you have any history of altitude issues, you’ll want to think carefully before booking. This is especially important because the itinerary includes early canyon viewpoint time, then continued travel, all in a relatively short window.

If you’re unsure, talk to a clinician before you go. It’s better to be cautious than to cut your trip short.

Should you book this Arequipa to Puno Colca Canyon tour?

I’d book it if you want a structured, time-efficient way to see Colca Canyon, get a real chance at condors at Cruz del Condor, relax at the Calera hot springs around 35°C to 38°C, and still land in downtown Puno with a hotel drop-off. It’s also a good pick if you like small-group travel and you’d rather have a guide handle the route than manage logistics yourself.

I’d skip it or reconsider if:

• You know altitude can make you sick.
• You’re trying to keep costs ultra-tight, because the canyon entrance, possible hot springs entrance, and meals are extra.
• You want a lot of downtime. This is two days with active sightseeing and transport, not a slow travel pace.

If you’re ready for a focused, guided Andes sprint with a comforting soak built in, this itinerary is a practical way to connect Arequipa to Puno and make Colca part of the story.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

Pickup from your hotel in downtown Arequipa, an English-speaking guide for 2 days, tourist transportation from Arequipa to Colca to Puno, 1 night of accommodation in a 2-star hotel with a private bathroom, breakfast on the second day in Chivay, and drop-off at your hotel in downtown Puno.

Does the tour include hotel accommodation in Chivay?

Yes. You get 1 night in a 2-star hotel in Chivay with a private bathroom.

Are meals included?

Breakfast is included on Day 2 in Chivay. Lunch and dinner are not included, and lunch and dinner options start around S/ 25.00 per person.

Do I need to pay for Colca Canyon entrance tickets?

Yes. Colca Canyon entrance tickets are not included. Foreigners pay S/ 70.00, Latin America pays S/ 40.00, and Peruvians pay S/ 20.00.

Are the hot springs in Calera included?

The visit is part of the day, but entrance tickets to the hot springs are not included. The hot-springs ticket is S/ 15.00 and is optional service.

How large is the group?

The group is limited to 17 participants.

Is this tour suitable for altitude sickness?

No. It is not suitable for people with altitude sickness.