My 2025 Colca Canyon 2 Day Trek Review

So, you are thinking about the two-day trek into Colca Canyon, right? I literally just got back, and my legs are still sort of reminding me of every single step. Honestly, it was one of the most physically demanding things I’ve ever done, you know, but it was also unbelievably rewarding. You see the canyon, which is frankly twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, from a perspective that you just can’t get from a viewpoint. So, this review is basically my brain dump of everything from that 3 a.m. start to the final, sweet soak in the hot springs. It’s almost a blow-by-blow account, just so you know exactly what you’re signing up for. I mean, it’s not just a walk in a big ditch; it’s a genuine adventure that pushes you a little bit. By the way, people often ask if it’s worth it over the day trip, and seriously, the answer is a thousand times yes.

Day 1: The Seemingly Endless Downhill Plunge

Alright, so your day one begins at a truly ungodly hour, like around 3 a.m., which is frankly quite rough. A minivan, usually pretty packed, shows up at your hostel in Arequipa, and honestly, you’re just too tired to do anything but find your seat and fall back asleep. For instance, the next few hours are pretty much a blur of bumpy roads and the van climbing higher into the Andes. We stopped in a little town called Chivay for a quick breakfast, which was actually simple but just what was needed; think bread, jam, and coca tea. Of course, a lot of people recommend the coca tea for the altitude. Then, you basically get back in the van for a bit more driving to the Cruz del Condor viewpoint, which is absolutely the main event for day-trippers. We, you know, saw a few of the massive birds soaring on the thermals, which was just incredible. To be honest, seeing them up close is a really big part of the appeal for a lot of people. More or less everything is building up to this moment.

Then, after the condors, the real work actually begins, you know. The van drops you off at a place called Cabanaconde, and this is pretty much where you say goodbye to comfort for a while. Looking down into the canyon from the trailhead is sort of a mix of awe and terror, frankly. That path zig-zagging down looks almost vertical, and it’s pretty much all you’ll be doing for the next four hours or so. Seriously, the descent is just brutal on the knees and toes. You’re constantly braking with your quads, and the path is very dusty and full of loose scree. Honestly, having good hiking shoes and trekking poles makes a massive difference here; I mean, you can see lots of helpful info by checking out a resource like a guide for what you will need for trekking in Peru. Our guide, Marco, was sort of taking it easy, giving us lots of little breaks to drink water and just take in the view, which apparently changes with every turn.

You go from this high-altitude arid terrain down to something that feels almost tropical at the bottom, which is a bit of a shock, really. There are pretty little flowers and even some cactuses that you would not expect to see, you know. The heat really starts to kick in during the last hour, so having a hat and sunscreen is something you definitely need. As a matter of fact, the final push is crossing a wobbly suspension bridge over the Colca River, which is flowing very fast below. Hearing that rushing water is pretty much the sound of sweet relief. And then, at the end of the day, you see it: a collection of little green huts and a swimming pool. It’s literally the oasis of Sangalle, and frankly, it feels like a total mirage after all that brown dust.

The Overnight Oasis: Simple Pleasures at the Canyon’s Bottom

So, arriving in Sangalle feels totally surreal, I mean, you’ve just spent hours on a pretty unforgiving, sun-baked trail. It’s almost like you’ve stumbled into a hidden paradise, a little green patch right at the bottom of this gigantic canyon. The accommodations are, to be honest, very basic. Think simple bamboo or mud-brick huts with a bed and not much else, often with shared bathrooms. But honestly, at that point, you really don’t care about luxury. All you want is a place to drop your bag and, more importantly, get into that swimming pool. That pool is actually filled with natural spring water, and it’s absolutely freezing, but it is just what your aching muscles need. For instance, pretty much every single person in our group just dropped their stuff and went straight for the water.

As the sun starts to set, you know, the canyon walls just light up in these incredible shades of orange and red, which is a sight you just don’t forget. Dinner is typically served in a communal dining area, and it’s a very simple but filling meal, like soup followed by a plate of chicken or alpaca with rice and vegetables. By the way, it’s a great time to chat with the other trekkers and share stories from the day. It’s sort of a bonding experience, sharing this crazy thing you’re all doing together. You might find that looking into different South American adventure tours can give you more ideas for experiences like this one. After dinner, there isn’t much to do, which is actually the beauty of it. You just sit outside your hut, look up at the sky, and realize you’ve never seen so many stars. Seriously, with zero light pollution, the Milky Way is just a huge, bright smear across the sky. You’ll probably go to bed very early, like around 8 or 9 p.m., because your guide will tell you that the next day’s wake-up call is going to be just as early as the first day’s.

Day 2: The Brutal Ascent and the Sweet Taste of Victory

Alright, so day two starts even earlier than day one, which is kind of hard to believe. The wakeup call is typically around 4:30 a.m., and it’s completely dark outside. You quickly get dressed, grab your headlamp, and pretty much start climbing immediately. The whole idea is to get most of the ascent done before the sun gets too strong, you know. To be honest, this is the part of the trek that everyone dreads, the climb back out of the canyon. It’s about a 1,200-meter (nearly 4,000-foot) vertical climb that just goes on and on. Marco called the switchbacks the ‘seven deadly sins of gringos’ which was frankly pretty funny and also very accurate. The first hour is done in the cool, pre-dawn air, and all you can see is the little bobbing lights of other trekkers’ headlamps snaking up the path above you.

You basically have to find a rhythm, a slow and steady pace that you can maintain, you know. Your lungs are burning from the altitude and your legs feel like lead, it’s really just a mental game. There are a lot of moments where you just want to stop, but the group dynamic kind of keeps you going. As the sun starts to rise, it casts this amazing light across the canyon, and you can finally see how far you’ve come. That sight is what really gives you a bit of a boost. There are several so-called ‘false summits’ where you think you’re at the top, only to find another set of switchbacks waiting for you. Honestly, that part is a little demoralizing. Yet, seeing how far down the oasis is getting really does help your spirit. To really prepare for this kind of climb, it could be smart to read up on some expert advice on high-altitude hiking before your trip.

Then, after what feels like an eternity—usually about three to four hours—you finally, finally make it to the top. Reaching the rim of the canyon at Cabanaconde is a feeling of complete and utter triumph. You are exhausted, sweaty, and covered in dust, but you’re also incredibly proud of yourself. Frankly, it feels amazing. The whole group celebrated with high-fives, and then we all shuffled over to a small restaurant for a well-deserved victory breakfast of pancakes and eggs. Looking back down into the canyon from where you started the previous day is just a very powerful moment. You really can’t believe you just climbed all the way out of that thing. It’s pretty much one of those travel memories that sticks with you for a long, long time.

Post-Trek Rewards: Condors, Hot Springs, and Volcanoes

So, after you’ve had your victory breakfast in Cabanaconde, you might think the adventure is over, but it’s actually not. You get back in the same minivan, which now feels like the peak of luxury, and start the drive back towards Arequipa. On the way, there’s usually a stop at the Yanque hot springs. To be honest, the idea of getting into hot water after that climb is just about the best thing you can possibly think of. These hot springs are a collection of several outdoor pools with different temperatures, and sinking into that naturally heated, mineral-rich water is just pure bliss for your aching body. It’s like a perfect reward, you know. You can grab a beer and just float around, looking up at the canyon walls and feeling really good about what you just accomplished.

After the hot springs, the next stop is usually a big buffet lunch in Chivay, the same town where you had your first breakfast. Frankly, you’ll be starving, and this buffet is amazing. It typically has a huge variety of Peruvian dishes, so it’s a great chance to try things like alpaca steak, quinoa soup, and lots of different potato and vegetable dishes. Seriously, you feel like you’ve earned every single calorie. A lot of travelers find that Peruvian food is a real highlight of their trip, so it’s pretty great to see how much variety there is. For instance, people interested in this part of the experience could search for information about Peruvian cuisine experiences in Arequipa. This lunch stop really recharges you for the final leg of the drive.

The journey back to Arequipa in the afternoon is actually quite scenic in its own right. The van makes a couple more stops at high-altitude viewpoints. One of them, the Patapampa viewpoint, is at a dizzying 4,910 meters (over 16,000 feet). From here, you get this incredible panoramic view of a whole chain of volcanoes, including Ampato, Sabancaya, and Hualca Hualca. You can often see smoke coming from Sabancaya, which is an active volcano. By the way, there are also these interesting little piles of stones called ‘apachetas’, which are sort of offerings to the mountain spirits, or ‘apus’. You finally roll back into Arequipa around 5 or 6 p.m., feeling completely wiped out but also buzzing with a massive sense of achievement. You are dropped back at your hotel or hostel, ready for the longest, most deserved shower of your life.

What You Genuinely Need to Pack

Alright, so packing for this trek is sort of a balancing act because you have to carry everything you bring down into the canyon and back up again. Basically, you should only bring a small daypack with the absolute necessities. You can usually leave your big backpack in storage at your hostel in Arequipa. Honestly, packing light is the best advice anyone can give you. Some people bring way too much stuff, and they really regret it on that uphill climb. You just don’t want any extra weight on your back, you know. What you choose to pack can honestly make or break your comfort on the trail.

Here’s a pretty much straightforward list of what you should definitely bring:

Good Hiking Shoes: Honestly, this is the most important item. They should be broken in, with good grip and ankle support.
Trekking Poles: Your knees will literally thank you on the downhill, and they are a massive help on the uphill climb. You can usually rent them in Arequipa.
Small Daypack (20-30L): Just big enough for your gear for the two days. You should check to see if you can find reviews for good daypacks online.
Layers of Clothing: It’s cold in the morning and at night, but very hot during the day. So, bring a fleece, a t-shirt or two (one for each day), and maybe a light rain jacket.
Hiking Pants or Shorts: Something comfortable and quick-drying is pretty much ideal.
Swimsuit and Small Towel: Absolutely necessary for the oasis pool and the hot springs.
Sun Protection: A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen are absolutely required. The sun at high altitude is just incredibly strong.
Headlamp or Torch: For that very early morning start on day two.
Water and Snacks: You’ll need at least 2 liters of water for the first day’s descent. You can buy more at the oasis, but it’s more expensive. Bringing some high-energy snacks like granola bars or nuts is also a very good idea.
Cash: You’ll need some Peruvian Soles for water, snacks, the entrance ticket to the canyon (sometimes not included in the tour price), and tips for your guide.
Basic Toiletries: Just the basics, like a toothbrush, toothpaste, and maybe some wet wipes.
Camera or Phone: Obviously, for all the amazing photos you’ll want to take.
A Sense of Humor: Frankly, there will be moments when you wonder why you’re doing this. Being able to laugh about it with your group makes a huge difference.