Arequipa Trips of Two Days or More
Trips of two days or more from Arequipa
Longer trips from Arequipa fall into four groups: Colca by road or on foot, the very remote Cotahuasi Canyon, high volcano climbs, and overland journeys to Puno and Cusco. All of them involve altitude, so give yourself at least a full day in Arequipa first. Prices are in Peruvian soles (S/), and operator prices vary by season.
Colca in two days and one night
This is the version most travellers choose. The first day is the transfer from Arequipa to Chivay and on to the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, then a night in the valley at Chivay, Yanque or Cabanaconde. The second day heads back in the afternoon. Sample operator prices run from about S/250 to S/350 but change widely, so treat them as a rough guide. The Colca boleto turístico is S/70 for foreign adults and is often excluded from the package.
A trek variant goes from Cabanaconde, at about 3,287 m, down to Sangalle, the oasis on the canyon floor at around 2,100 to 2,160 m. Basic lodging and spring-fed pools wait at the bottom. The climb back out takes about 3 hours of steep switchbacks for fit walkers, and operators quote anything from 2.5 to 4 hours. Start before dawn, because the canyon floor gets hot, and carry at least 2.5 litres of water. Mules for the climb out can be hired locally.
Colca in three days and two nights
The longer route descends from the rim to San Juan de Chuccho for the first night, then walks on towards Sangalle via Malata or Cosnirhua. Day three is the climb out. This suits walkers who like to move slowly and have some days at altitude behind them.
Cotahuasi Canyon
Cotahuasi lies in La Unión province, about 380 km from Arequipa. The bus takes 9 to 12 hours, and a fare of about S/55 was quoted at Holy Week 2026. At about 3,354 m deep, it is one of the deepest canyons in the world. The Sipia waterfall is usually described as about 150 m high. Plan 3 to 4 days in total and pack for cold nights and sun.
Volcano climbs
Misti (5,822 m), Chachani (6,057 m) and Ampato (6,288 m) are mountaineering objectives, not hikes.
- Misti is an active volcano under watch, with fumaroles near the summit and an iron cross on top. A climb takes one or two days from a camp at about 4,500 m, over loose ash.
- Chachani is reached by a 4x4 track to about 5,000 m and has a reputation for altitude failures.
- Ampato is a glaciated snow climb. Juanita was found on its slopes.
Use a licensed guide and arrive acclimatised. Ask operators for current prices.
Overland to Puno or Cusco
- Arequipa to Puno: about 5.5 to 6.5 hours by bus with companies such as Cruz del Sur, Civa, Transzela and Peru Hop. Puno is the base for Sillustani.
- Arequipa to Cusco: about 10 to 11 hours, around 325 km, with Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, Transzela and others.
- At Holy Week 2026, fares jumped: Puno S/70 to S/80, Cusco from S/70, Lima from S/100 and Chivay from S/30. Normal fares are lower.
Rain, protests and bus safety
The wet season runs from about December to March, and landslides can close Colca roads. Floods in February 2026 prompted a national emergency, and Arequipa was among the regions affected. Protests in the south, including Arequipa and Puno, can block roads. British government advice also warns of armed hold-ups on inter-city buses, so keep valuables out of sight and use well-known companies.
Read more: Day trips from Arequipa for single-day options, and Adventure tours in Arequipa for guided challenges. The Colca Canyon place guide adds background. Search stays through Booking.com for Chivay and Colca and read the UK government safety advice . The Misti article on Wikipedia gives volcano hazards.