Arequipa, Colca Canyon & Andean Condors 4 d/3 n

First we will visit the church and lookout of the Colonial District of Yanahuara where we get great views of the city. Then we move on to the Carmen Alto neighborhood lookout of the countryside and the bottom the Chilina valley. There are beautiful views here of the Misti, Chachani and Pichu-Pichu Volcanoes, typical Pre Inca terraces that are still cultivated, and of the Chilina valley next to the Chili river. We return to the city to visit the Cathedral, main square, the colonial area, church and Jesuits Cloisters of La Compañía and its polychromatic dome. Finally we will explore the famous Santa Catalina Monastery citadel, built in the 16th century and opened to public in 1970 after 400 years. (Ticket for the Cathedral & its Museum is not included) (L,D included)

Early in the morning, after breakfast, we will leave Arequipa to journey to the center of the Earth, for us the Colca Canyon. We will travel north-west behind the snow-covered Volcano Chachani. In Yura, a small valley with thermal springs, we will see wild vicuñas in the Pampa Cañahuas National Reserve, as well as alpacas & llamas in Tocra, and some birds like flamingos, ibis, andean goose, ducks, and the Andean eagle “Kara Kara”. Next we will head up to the view point at Patapampa (4800m / 15,000ft) which is surrounded by volcanoes and snow covered mountains such as Ampato, Sabancaya, Walca Walca, etc. Our next stop is Chivay, capital of the valley where we will have an afternoon visit to the thermal springs & pools in La Calera (admission to the pools not included). Overnight at selected accommodation. (B/L / D)

Early in the morning, after breakfast, we will set off for a full day excursion. We depart for Cruz del Condor a stunning viewpoint from where you can enjoy the flight of the giant Andean condors. This viewpoint is also impressive in geological and cultural terms, since it offers a view of the entire depth of the canyon, the local people, an incredible amount of pre-Inca terraces that are still farmed, and colonial churches. We stop for lunch and a visit to the village of Cabanaconde where you can encounter the local people and explore the charming centre. In the afternoon we will return to our accommodation. Overnight at selected accommodation. (B / L / D). B/L/D

After breakfast we will set out back towards Arequipa. On the way back to Chivay, we will visit the Chinina viewpoint, where we will find the famous Hanging Tombs and the Hanging Bridge of Sifón that joins the town of Yanque with Coporaque. On our right we will see the beautiful village of Coporaque, the semi-circular terraces known as the “Amphitheatre” view of the mountains, a small canyon which houses the grain depots of Colca or sacred as wasp nests in inaccessible places. In the afternoon we return to Arequipa (B / L)