Southern Highlands
Colca Canyon
Twice as Deep as the Grand Canyon
Days needed
2days
Late March
Workable in late March
Cost / person
$100–220
Colca Canyon is the kind of stop that earns 2 day on a Peru itinerary — and late March is workable, with some compromises.
What to do
The list,
in no fixed order.
Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint (condors at dawn).
Chivay hot springs.
Pre-Inca terraces.
Yanque village stop on the drive in.
Logistics
Getting in, getting out.
How to get there
Tours leave Arequipa at 3am. Sleep at Chivay or Cabanaconde. Altitude tops out at 4,910m at Patapampa pass. The 2-day tour is the realistic option for this group — multi-day canyon trekking exists but isn't planned.
What the budget covers
2-day tour from Arequipa ($50–120), Colca entrance ticket S/70 (~$18) usually not included, all meals & transport
Late March, here
“Some afternoon rain possible. Condors still active. Mornings usually clear.”
