Start your day with a pick-up from your hotel in Arequipa between 2:45 am and 3:20 am, depending on the hotel's location. We'll then have a 3-hour drive to reach Chivay (3600m) for breakfast (coca tea, quinoa juice, bread with egg, etc.). Afterward, we'll travel to the edge of the Colca Canyon, where we'll have the opportunity to spot Andean condors in their natural habitat. (Spotting depends on the time of year you visit; May through September are the best months for close encounters, while during the rainy season, sightings are more difficult.) We also have an optional short hike along the canyon rim for the best views. Other stops include the pre-Incan terraces of Antawilke, followed by a visit to the 38-degree hot springs of Yanque, where we'll spend approximately an hour relaxing.
Afterward, we'll return to the town of Chivay to enjoy the... A buffet lunch at a local restaurant featuring traditional dishes and Andean products, such as alpaca, trout, and guinea pig. In the afternoon, we'll head to the highest point and volcano viewpoint (4860 meters) to appreciate the Andean mountain range of southern Peru. We'll also stop in the National Reserve area to see llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas in their natural habitat. With a bit of luck, you might also spot Andean foxes and other wildlife.
Finally, we'll return to the city at approximately 5:30 pm, ending our adventure a few blocks from the main square.
