Contact Us
ESPAÑOL
/
ENGLISH
Colca Canyon: Best time to Trek & What to See image

Colca Canyon: Best time to Trek & What to See

The Colca Canyon is one of the most recognized tourist destinations in Peru. Located to the northeast of Arequipa, this deep valley has a depth of 4,160 meters, making it the deepest canyon in the world. As attractive as the Colca Canyon may be, its not a great place to visit year round. Below we share when is the best time to visit the Colca Canyon.

Laurel Thompson

Best Time to Trek the Colca Canyon

Although it is possible to visit the Colca Canyon any time of year, it’s advisable to go between April and December, when the majority of days are clear and the views, including condor sightings, are spectacular. The rainy season goes from December to March, so the trails may be muddy during that period and the vistas can sometimes be overcast.. From April to December, days will usually be sunny but temperatures can drop dramatically at night to below freezing, so be sure to dress in layers.

Trek Recommendations

Before trekking the Colca Canyon, we recommend you spend a day in Arequipa to acclimatize to the climate and altitude. Another recommendation is to travel light. Unlike other treks in Peru, there are no porters or mules to carry your luggage for you. What should you bring? We recommend sun block, hiking boots, and lots of water. It’s best to pack enough water to cover a consumption of 1.5 – 3 liters daily.

Imagen de prueba

Destinations Outside of the Colca Canyon

Before or after your trek in the Colca Canyon, you can visit several other tourist destinations nearby, including:

The Cruz del Condor Viewpoint

From this natural viewpoint, it’s possible to get a panoramic view of the entire canyon. The viewpoint is located at 3,287 m.a.s.l. and is an essential stop before or after your Colca Canyon trek. The best time to spot condors is between the hours of 10am and noon.

Imagen de prueba

The Colca Window

The first of the attractions that you’ll see on your drive into the Colca Valley is the Colca Window, a curious geological formation that appears as a portal through which you can see amazing canyon vistas. It’s located at 4,300 m.a.s.l.

Imagen de prueba

A Colca Canyon trek should be at the top of your list if you’ll be

img-card
Plan exploreInca Trail to Machu Picchu
img-card
Plan exploreDestino Cusco
img-card
ExpertTravelersBlog
Inspiring stories from our Blog
Five Peruvian Dances You Will Love
Five Peruvian Dances You Will Loveby Laurel Thompson Read more
A Description of Each Lake in Huaraz and How to Reach It
A Description of Each Lake in Huaraz and How to Reach Itby Laurel Thompson Read more
A Handy Guide to the Best Restaurants in Huaraz
A Handy Guide to the Best Restaurants in Huarazby Laurel Thompson Read more
The Santa Cruz Trek: One of Huaraz’s
The Santa Cruz Trek: One of Huaraz’sby Laurel Thompson Read more
img-card
ExpertTravelersBlog