Overnight Tour: Colca Canyon Including Horse Riding from Arequipa

Condors are only part of the story. This two-day trip from Arequipa combines high Andean viewpoints, village life, Inca terraces, a horseback ride, hot springs, and the famous Cruz del Condor. I especially like the way it breaks up the long road journey with stops in the Salinas and Aguada Blanca Reserve, and I like that the horse ride gives you a slower view of the Colca Valley.

The main drawback is the amount of time spent in shared transport. Day two begins early and ends around 5 p.m., and the included breakfast is the only meal covered. You should also budget for two lunches, dinner, hot springs, and the mandatory Colca tourist ticket.

The tour costs about $166.67 per person, including one night in a double, twin, or triple room, shared transport, an English-speaking guide, breakfast, riding equipment, and the horse ride. With a 90 percent recommendation rate and an average rating of 4.2 from 10 ratings, it offers good value if you want to see several sides of the valley without arranging separate transport and accommodation.

Key points to know before booking

• The condor viewpoint is the headline stop: Spend about two hours at Cruz del Condor, with the option of a one-hour hike.
• The horseback ride is a real part of the experience: Expect two to three hours around Yanque, with views of terraces, villages, mountains, and the Colca River.
• Day one reaches high altitude: Patapampa is one of the highest points on the Colca circuit, so tea, coca candies, water, and a steady pace may help.
• Yanque is more than a hotel stop: The ride can include Uyo Uyo archaeological site, local terraces, and the village hot springs.
• The price does not cover everything: Add 70 soles, about $19, for the mandatory tourist ticket, plus meals and optional visits.
• The group can reach 25 people: The English guide may need to explain some parts separately if most of the group speaks Spanish.

From Arequipa to the high plains at 4,000 meters

Pickup begins around 7:30 a.m. from hotels in central Arequipa, with the journey heading north toward the Colca Valley. The ride is shared, using a tourist minivan or minibus, and the group can include up to 25 people. That keeps the cost reasonable, but you should expect a full day on the road rather than a private, flexible outing.

The first major setting is the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve. This broad high-altitude area gives you a chance to watch for Andean wildlife, including llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas. Short stops at places such as Tocra Pampa and Patahuasi break up the drive and let you take in the open country.

These stops matter because the Colca trip is not only about reaching the canyon. The road itself crosses a dramatic part of the Andes, with volcanic peaks, high grasslands, and hardy plants adapted to cold, thin air. Your guide also explains the local flora, fauna, geology, and history, giving the scenery more meaning than a quick roadside photo stop.

At Abra Patapampa, the route reaches one of the highest points on the circuit. It is used as a volcano viewpoint and offers wide views toward the Andes. The stop is short, about 15 minutes, so have your camera ready and do not wander far from the vehicle.

Altitude is the practical concern here. One rating specifically notes that tea and coca candies helped with the effects. That is not a medical guarantee, but it is sensible to drink water, move slowly, and avoid treating the high point like a sprint. The tour requires moderate physical fitness, and the altitude may be harder than the walking itself.

Chivay lunch and the move toward Yanque

The group reaches Chivay around midday, where you buy lunch at your own cost. This is one of two lunches you need to pay for during the trip, and dinner is also excluded. Some meals may be arranged in buffet-style restaurants selected by the tour company, so do not choose this trip expecting every meal to be an independent local dining experience.

After lunch, the group checks into the overnight accommodation. The information places the hotel generally in Yanque because the riding takes place there, while another part of the schedule refers to Chivay. It is worth confirming the exact village and hotel at booking, especially if you want to plan an evening walk or a visit to the hot springs.

Yanque is a quieter village with a main square, local homes, and access to the valley countryside. Staying outside the larger town can make the overnight stop feel less like a simple transport break. At the same time, accommodation is described by room type rather than a named property, so hotel standards may be fairly basic. The included room can be double, twin, or triple.

A two to three hour ride through the Colca Valley

The afternoon horseback ride begins around 3 p.m. A local Spanish-speaking riding instructor joins the group, while the accredited English guide handles the wider tour. The riding equipment and local horse guide are included, which makes this easier than arranging a separate ranch visit.

The route follows the countryside around Yanque and crosses a bridge toward the right side of the valley. From horseback, you can look down toward the Colca River and across the slopes, small villages, mountains, and old agricultural terraces. This is a useful contrast to the morning’s bus ride. The vehicle gives you distance and scale, while the ride lets you notice the paths and terraces at a slower pace.

The terraces are among the most memorable features of the valley. Many were built during Inca and earlier periods, and they still shape the slopes today. The guide discusses the history of the area while you ride, so this is not simply a scenic loop.

You should be comfortable spending two to three hours on a horse. The stated fitness level is moderate, and the ride may include uneven access near Uyo Uyo. If the route cannot be reached on horseback, part of the visit may be done on foot. That flexibility is useful, but it also means you should bring sturdy shoes rather than relying only on riding boots.

At the end of the ride, you can visit the Chacapi hot springs near Yanque. The entrance costs about $5 and is not included. This is a sensible add-on after several hours in the saddle, especially if you want a quiet break surrounded by nature rather than another formal sightseeing stop.

There may also be time for the Yanque ethnographic museum near the main square. Its entrance fee is not included, and the schedule may be tight after the ride and hot springs. Treat it as an optional extra, not a guaranteed centerpiece.

Overnight in the valley

The overnight stay is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. Instead of returning to Arequipa after the horseback ride, you sleep near the Colca Valley and begin the condor excursion from the area. That saves you from repeating part of the approach road on the same day.

Breakfast is included on the second morning. Lunch and dinner are not, so you need to plan for those costs. The tour does not list a named menu or restaurant, and the food may be simple. One rating described the buffet meals as mediocre, so I would judge this trip mainly by its transport, guiding, scenery, and activities rather than by dining.

The schedule leaves little room for a late evening. After riding, a hot spring visit, and possible time in Yanque, you will likely want an early night. That is fine, because the second morning starts at 6 a.m.

Cruz del Condor and the morning flight

After breakfast, the bus travels for about an hour and a half to Mirador Cruz del Condor. You spend roughly two hours at the viewpoint, watching for Andean condors and looking into the vast Colca Canyon.

Condors are the tour’s most anticipated sight, but their appearance is not something any operator can promise. The timing helps, and the viewpoint is known for condor flights, but nature sets the schedule. One trip included a sighting of seven condors close by, which shows what is possible on a good morning.

The canyon view is also worth the early start. From Cruz del Condor, you can see the scale of the gorge and the slopes shaped by erosion. The stop is not only a wildlife viewing session. It gives you a clear sense of why the Colca route is one of the major excursions from Arequipa.

You can also take an optional one-hour hike. The tour schedule allows about two hours at the viewpoint, so ask the guide how the walk fits with the group’s return time. If altitude or fatigue is bothering you, staying near the viewpoint may be the wiser choice. The tour already includes a lot of movement over two days.

The mandatory tourist ticket costs 70 soles, listed as about $19, and is not included in the tour price. This is an important extra cost because it applies to the Colca stops, not just an optional museum or hot spring.

Maca, Chivay, and the long return to Arequipa

The return journey includes stops in traditional villages, including Maca, before reaching Chivay again. The schedule lists a stop at Iglesia Santa Ana and the village’s main square, giving you a short look at local architecture and community life.

The Chivay stop allows about an hour for lunch, again at your own expense. This is your second paid lunch, so allow for both the cost and the time. You then begin the direct journey back to Arequipa, arriving around 5 p.m. or possibly earlier.

Day two lasts about ten hours. That is a long stretch, but it is the tradeoff for seeing the condors and returning to Arequipa without another overnight stay. I would not pair this trip with a demanding evening plan in the city. Delays on mountain roads can happen, and the published arrival time is an estimate.

What the guiding is like

The trip includes an accredited English-speaking guide and a local Spanish-speaking horse instructor. This split is normal for a mixed group, but language coverage can affect how much detail you receive during the ride.

Juan Carlos is specifically praised for making sure the English speakers understood the explanations when the rest of the group was speaking Spanish. That is a useful sign for anyone worried about being overlooked in a bilingual group. Still, the maximum group size is 25, so ask questions when the guide pauses rather than waiting for a private explanation.

The guide’s role is most valuable during the long road sections. The stops at Patapampa, the reserve, the terraces, and the villages become more worthwhile when someone explains what you are seeing. During the horse ride, the local instructor focuses on riding and safety, while the main guide adds the historical context.

Is $166.67 good value?

For $166.67, you receive hotel pickup, shared transport, one night, breakfast, the horse ride, equipment, and two guides. You also get a carefully linked route from Arequipa through the reserve and high viewpoints, then into the valley and back by way of Cruz del Condor.

The mandatory 70-sol ticket changes the real price. Add two lunches, dinner, the optional $5 hot springs, and any museum fee, and your total cost will be higher. Even so, arranging transport, a room, a horse ride, and the condor viewpoint independently could take more time and may not cost less.

The value is strongest for someone who wants many experiences in a short trip. It is weaker for a person who wants a slow stay in one village, private transport, or control over every meal and stop. Shared transport also means you follow the group’s timetable.

The tour is often booked far ahead, with an average booking lead time of 207 days. That suggests planning early may matter, especially for a particular travel date. Confirmation is normally issued at booking, though bookings made within 12 hours of departure are subject to availability.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this Colca Canyon trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a practical first visit to the Colca Valley and prefer one organized package over several separate bookings. It suits people who enjoy wildlife, mountain scenery, village stops, light archaeology, and a guided outdoor activity.

The minimum age is 13, and you should have moderate physical fitness. The ride, optional hike, altitude, and long bus journeys all require some stamina. You do not need to choose every optional activity, but you should be ready for an active two days.

I would look elsewhere if you need private transport, a leisurely schedule, guaranteed condor sightings, or meals included. I would also think twice if high altitude affects you badly. For most visitors who want to combine condors with a horseback ride and an overnight stay, though, this is a well-rounded and fairly priced way to see the valley.

FAQ

How long is the Colca Canyon tour from Arequipa?

The tour lasts about two days. Day one begins around 7:30 or 7:45 a.m., and day two returns to Arequipa at about 5 p.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered from hotels located in Arequipa’s downtown area.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English. The horseback riding uses a local Spanish-speaking instructor, while an accredited English-speaking guide accompanies the wider tour.

How old must you be to join?

The minimum age is 13 years.

How many people can be in the group?

The maximum group size is 25 people.

Is the Colca tourist ticket included?

No. The mandatory tourist ticket costs 70 soles, listed as about $19, and must be paid separately.

Is horseback riding included?

Yes. The two to three hour ride, riding equipment, and local riding guide are included on the first afternoon.

Are the hot springs included?

No. A visit to the Chacapi hot springs is optional and costs about $5.

Which meals are included?

One breakfast is included on the second day. Two lunches and one dinner are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.