Upon arriving to Arequipa, we will provide assistance at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon city tour of Arequipa, the “White City” because of the white volcanic rock (Sillar). You will visit Yanahuara, Carmen Alto (Chachani volcano view point), the beautiful Santa Catalina Convent, the Main Square, the Cathedral and la Compañia Church. Overnight at Hotel. Meals on your own.

Early morning departure for a two day trip to the Colca Valley. We leave Arequipa along the Chachani volcano (6075 m) one of the 3 most important volcanoes in Arequipa. The road winds slowly through Yura, a small settlement where the quarries of volcanic rock are found. We reach a plateau and arrive to Pampa Cañahuas where we will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the Vicuñas if we are lucky to see a small herd. From here you can appreciate the Misti volcano from the north east. Then we continue our journey past the crossroads with view of Sabancaya Volcano.  Recently active one and the Ampato where a famous ice-maiden, Juanita, was discovered a decade ago. We can appreciate some Andean birds.  We arrive to Patapampa Pass (4900 m), from where you can take some pictures of the Chila Range; from there we descend to Chivay. Transfer to your hotel and lunch. In the afternoon we will go to Coporaque Town, from where our hike will begin for about 3 hours by using terraces and paths from the pre Inca cultures. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon having contacted with local farmers and community members, dinner and overnight. B/BL

Early in the morning visit Cruz del Condor (Condor Cross), observation point from where you can view and appreciate these great Andean birds. Impressive panorama of the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world (3,000 m/9,800 ft).  This observation occurs early in the morning as the birds leave their overnight rest spot and take off on flight patterns by wing the thermal currents that flow up the canyon through changes temperature. After the sightseeing we will visit the villages of Pinchollo, Maca, Achoma and Yanque on the way back to Chivay. After lunch we return to Arequipa, transfer to the airport.  (NOTE: For a surcharge you can continue to Puno and arrive in the late evening for an ongoing program there). B/BL