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Colca Canyon: Traveler Reviews

Santa Catalina 118B, Arequipa, Peru
Ranked #2 of 24 attractions in Arequipa
4.5 of 5 stars 262 Reviews
Type: Canyons
Activities: Birdwatching
Traveler Description: The number of agencies competing to offer tours of Colca Canyon is dizzying. Essentially though, many of the tours are incredibly similar and differ... more »
Useful Information: Bathroom facilities
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262 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    188
    53
    13
    5
    3
Date Rating
argie_adf
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Contributor
12 reviews
2 helpful votes
“Beautiful Sights, challenging treck, lovely people”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 17, 2012

My husband and I went with Huber, the excellent guide from the excellent Carlitos Tours and we were not dissappointed. The treck itself could be very challenging for those not used to (like us) and on the way down, we hardly enjoyed it. Althought the views were rewarding, it was much effort for us but we are glad we did it. We spent the night at the oasys in Sangalle and since it didn't have electricity or warm water, it didn't give us the kind of rest we were expecting. Our way up to Cabanaconde was in mules and it was a 1.40hour ride -also challenging but fast!
Cabanaconde and Chivay are beautiful little towns and the Cruz del Condor to see condors flying is beautiful. It is possible to go to Chivay and Cabanaconde in small bus and skip the trek altough it's nice for the brave. I really recommend Carlitos and Huber for your tours.

Visited December 2011
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SoundRefuge
Vancouver, Canada
Reviewer
4 reviews
1 helpful vote
“Best adventure in the area!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 13, 2012

Awesome. Just don't take too much gear and don't be drunk. Take three days to do it and probably hike to San Juan, then to the Oasis then back to Cabanaconde. Get some coca and stay in some greatly priced places in the canyon.

Visited December 2011
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BWBradford
Los Angeles, California
Top Contributor
58 reviews
65 helpful votes
“Amazing condors!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 13, 2012

I wouldn't have believed we could spend so much time watching birds fly over a canyon! Gazing at these majestic birds in flight was mesmerizing!

Visited July 2011
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cathydel
Australia
Contributor
17 reviews
6 helpful votes
“Wow factor.”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 12, 2012

This area is not as tourist-developed yet as other areas such as Machu Picchu so it is pretty rough on the roads and it's hard to hear the guide on the bus when it's rattling along... but the views and the condors and the vicunyas, llamas, alpacas and villages along the way to the canyon are spectacular in themselves. The Canyon is beyond imagination and it's sheer size makes it hard to photograph or comprehend. So you have to visit and see for yourself. The hotsprings in Chivay are fabulous after a hard day's travelling. Don't go to the "Irish Bar" in Chivay if you want Irish beer because there isn't any. The only Irish thing there is the pool table - the ball moves toward your cue due to the incline!

Visited December 2011
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smbingham
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews
2 helpful votes
“Pretty views but overrated”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed January 7, 2012

I took a day tour to the Colca Canyon and found it to be a lot of driving for a few pretty views. Had I had the time, I think some trekking would have been a much better experience

Visited May 2011
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