4 Day Colca Canyon Trek | Hike 2nd Deepest Canyon in the World Without a Tour

One of the most incredible natural landmarks in Peru lies to the north of the city of Arequipa, the impressive Colca Canyon (Cañon del Colca). There are many ways to appreciate the World’s second deepest canyon, but the most popular way is via a Colca Canyon trek.

There are multiple hiking routes in the Colca Canyon, to choose the best route, simply decide how much time you have and what Colca Canyon attractions you wish to see. While most standard Colca Canyon tours are two days and one night, this Colca Canyon hiking guide travels a little deeper into the Canyon and is 4 days.

This comprehensive Colca Canyon trek guide includes how to get to the Colca Canyon from Arequipa, Colca Canyon tour information and tips for preparing for a self-guided Colca Canyon trek, a free Colca Canyon trek map, route information, estimated cost for hiking Colca Canyon without a guide, and how to return to Arequipa. Bonus, there’s even a section on more awesome things to do in the Colca Canyon.

Whichever Colca Canyon trekking route you choose, a Colca Canyon hike is an unforgettable and memorable experience on a Peru itinerary!

Here’s my best Colca Canyon trek route over 4 days.

Table of Contents

Disclosure: This is part of my Hikes & Adventures series, which means these treks can be strenuous and challenging. These are my experiences and I am not an expert. Please have all the proper equipment, verify the weather conditions, use professional resources, do your own research, be mindful of constantly changing trail conditions, and take into consideration your own physical abilities and/or limitations. These guides are for entertainment purposes only. Please see my full disclosure for more information here.

• How to Get to Colca Canyon from Arequipa
• Colca Canyon Tour vs. Self-Guided Colca Canyon Trek
• Tips for Hiking Colca Canyon Without a Guide
• Colca Canyon Trek Map
• Daily Detailed Schedule Colca Canyon
• How to Get to Arequipa from Cobanaconde
• Colca Canyon Trek Cost for 4 Days
• More of the Colca Canyon Without a Guide
• Final Thoughts on Hiking Colca Canyon Peru

How to Get to Colca Canyon from Arequipa

Most hikers will depart early from the second largest city in Peru, Arequipa. There are so many incredible things to do in Arequipa, so if you have a few days, don’t simply skip over Peru’s “white city.”

Arequipa boasts its own unique cuisine and typical dishes. Fun fact, there are over 500 dishes from the Arequipa region alone. Within the bustling city, find tons of awesome coffeeshops, delicious Arequipa restaurants, and of course breweries and rooftop bars. There are charming little districts to explore within the city limits, bustling markets, and worthwhile museums.

However, the main draw of Arequipa is the Colca Canyon Peru. The Canyon del Colca is the World’s second deepest canyon, and trekkers are eager to walk the dusty paths, have stunning Colca valley views, spot the majestic condors, and maybe even soak in some of the top Colca Canyon hot springs.

How to Get to the Colca Canyon Peru via Bus

If planning on hiking Colca Canyon without a tour or guide, you will have to catch an early morning bus or collectivo to Cabanaconde. Sorry night owls, but the optimal bus time is the one that departs Arequipa around 3ish. The main Arequipa Bus Terminal is a little out of town, but taxis are easy to arrange with your guesthouse the night before.

🚕 Average taxi fare from Arequipa Historic Center to Arequipa Terminal Terrestre 10 PEN ($2.50 USD)

Always make sure to check-in on the current bus schedule to Cabanaconde. Most hostels will have this information, or shoot a quick WhatsApp to the companies below.

Approximate Departure Time	Bus Company	Contact Information
00:30	Andalucia	+51 054-486-263
1:00	Reyna	+51 958-793-719
3:30 (Arrive to station before 3)	Milagros	+51 054-531-115
9:30	Andalucia	+51 054-486-263
11:00	Reyna	+51 958-793-719
14:00	Milagros	+51 054-531-115

 🚌 Arequipa to Cabanaconde Bus Logistics | Buses depart from: Arequipa Terminal Terrestre | Bus Company: multiple, I went with Milagros | Standard Ticket Price: 18 PEN ($4.75 USD) / pay the exit tax 1.50 PEN before departure | Duration: +/- 6 hours

The Pachamama Hostel in Cabanaconde offers this useful up-to-date bus schedule and info.

If diving head first into the Colca Canyon hike, tell the vendor that wish to exit at Mirador San Miguel. Make sure to remind the driver and also follow along on an offline map. There will more than likely be a quick rest, snack, and bathroom break in the village of Chivay. Remind the driver again. 😉

More Ways to Get to the Colca Canyon from Arequipa

There are also collectivos that depart from a stand near the Terminal. With the vans, there is no set departure time. They depart when full. The shared vans may only drop as far as the gateway village of Chivay, where you will transfer to another van that runs deeper into the canyon. Find the collectivos here or check in with Caminos del Inca, a company that has multiple and reliable departures.

There’s also this private shuttle from Pachamama Hostel in Cabanaconde that picks you up at your hotel at around 3 a.m. in Arequipa, stops at the Cruz del Condor, and drops in Cabanaconde at 9:30 a.m (70 PEN / $18.50 USD). This is convenient, but also more expensive.

☛ The Official Peru Tourist Information is a super helpful resource and can often be reached via WhatsApp @ (+51) 944 492 314

Colca Canyon Tour

Taking an organized Colca Canyon Tour is the easiest way to reach the Colca Canyon. There are multiple tour options from Arequipa including multi-day Colca Canyon trekking tours to a full Colca Canyon day trip. More on this below.

Full day tours to the deep canyon don’t usually including any hiking in the actual Colca Canyon, rather it stops at the popular Mirador Cruz del Condor and a few villages. This popular viewpoint is one of the “best places” to see Condors in the canyon.

💬 Real Talk | I actually skipped the popular Colca Canyon attraction of Cruz del Condor Viewpoint. I had heard that the condors are kind of unnaturally staged and purposely fed here (December) when I visited. Condors are more likely to be naturally active in the Colca Canyon from March – June. Either way, if you want to see condors in the Colca Canyon, this is the place to see them. One of the best places I saw condors in Peru was while hiking in the Sacred Valley. They were flying free near the incredible site of Inti Punku Ollantaytambo.

Colca Canyon Tour vs. Self-Guided Colca Canyon Trek

Those preparing for a Colca Canyon trek will have one big question. Do you want to trek on an organized Colca Canyon tour, or hike Colca Canyon without a guide?

If short on time, a full day Colca Canyon tour may be the better option. All the transportation and lodging is organized and the canyon tours are fairly priced. Most Colca Canyon trekking tours are two days and one night and do not include the Colca Canyon entrance fee.

Standard Colca Canyon Trekking Tour Route | 2 Days & 1 Night | San Miguel ➜ San Juan de Chuccho ➜ Oasis Sangalle ➜ Cabanaconde

If you want to get off the beaten path and hike through the World’s second deepest canyon on your terms, hike the Colca Canyon with no tour. Be mindful that there are so many trekking routes and although the trails are fairly well marked, the altitude of Colca Canyon and sometimes narrow paths should not be underestimated.

This Colca Canyon trek map follows a “not so standard” Colca Canyon hike route.

Colca Canyon Trek | 4 Days & 3 Nights, optional hiking on Day 4 | San Miguel ➜ San Juan de Chuccho ➜ Oasis Sangalle ➜ Fure & Huaruro Waterfall ➜ Llahuar ➜ Bus to Cabanaconde

Highlights along this Colca Canyon trek include stunning views along the trail, the Sangalle “Oasis,” Huaruro Waterfall, and the hot springs in Llahuar. This Colca Canyon route is for those looking to experience Cañón del Colca at their own pace on a less trekked route.

Tips for Hiking Colca Canyon Without a Guide

Hiking the Colca Canyon without a tour is totally feasible and fairly common. Here are a few useful planning tips before trekking Cañon del Colca.

Camping vs. Colca Canyon Guest Houses

The Colca Canyon is one of Peru’s top attractions, so there are guesthouses and lodges found in many of the villages. If you want to utilize the guesthouses, you will want to book places in advance, especially in the busy months.

However, camping in Colca Canyon is another possibility. There are always places to camp and it is much cheaper than the huts, but you will have to carry the weight of the gear.

For food, there are lots of tiendas and almost all the guesthouses offer meals. Again, it’s more expensive, but you don’t need to carry a lot of food and water. It is easy to purchase meals, snacks, water, and beers along the way.

💬 Real Talk | I carried a tent and my stove and fuel. I enjoyed camping and cooking my own breakfast and lunch. My splurge was a big dinner from the guesthouses after a full day trekking the Colca Canyon. This kept my Colca Canyon trek cost extremely low.

Leave Extra Gear in Arequipa

Those hiking Colca Canyon without a tour will want to lighten their load and leave behind non-essential items in Arequipa.  So decide if you want to camp or sleep in guesthouses and unload items from there. Since Arequipa is the gateway to the Colca Canyon, many Arequipa hotel and accommodations do store gear, some even lock up and secure valuables.

➜ Way Kap Hostel Arequipa stores excess bags and gear at no extra cost. They also offer a safe for laptops and valuables.

Best Time to Visit the Colca Canyon

In general, Arequipa enjoys plenty of blue skies and sun. However, the Colca Canyon is in the Altiplano and weather in the high-altitude Andes Mountains can change drastically. The Colca Canyon follows the Peru highland seasons of dry and rainy.

In the Colca Canyon, the rainy season generally runs between November – March, with the wettest months being January and February. Be mindful of mudslide, rockslides, and washed away paths while hiking Colca Canyon during these months.

The dry season generally runs from April – October. This also correlates with the busy season in the canyon, so booking guesthouses in advance is highly recommended. Campers will have no problem. With the Peru dry season, expect the nights to be much cooler.

For those most interested in viewing the Colca Canyon condors, visit at the end of March until June.

Be Properly Acclimated

Make sure to be properly acclimated for a Colca Canyon trek. The altitudes are well over 10,000 ft and oftentimes the hiking trails include steep ascents and descents. Arequipa is at an altitude of 7,661 ft., so spend a day or two in the city. Those travelers arriving from the Imperial City of Cusco or Puno and Lake Titicaca should have no problem. In contrast, travelers flying directly from Lima will need to spend a day or two acclimating in Arequipa.

One way to help alleviate altitude sickness is to drink coca tea or chew on the leaves. Coca leaves are found in nearly every market in Peru. Coca teabags can be found in tiendas and all the main stores.

➯ Hey… don’t forget your Travel Insurance! I love SafetyWing

Hike with a Buddy and Never Alone

While the Colca Canyon trek is fairly well-marked and trotted, it’s still best to hike with at least one person or a group, especially those trekkers looking to hike the Colca Canyon without a guide.

Some of the trails are narrow and steep, so there are dangers like loosing your footing. In some sections of the trail, especially to Fure, the trail has suffered from rock and landslides. There have been hikers who have entered the canyon and have never returned and are still missing.

Always use your best judgement and check-in at guesthouses along the route to verify current trail conditions and information.

The Colca Canyon is absolutely beautiful, but should never be underestimated.

Colca Canyon Trek Map | 4 Days

This is my 4 day Colca Canyon Trek Map. The trailhead begins at Mirador San Miguel and finishes in Llahuar. Remember, there are many Colca Canyon trek routes. This Colca Canyon trekking route includes a good mix of popular attractions, waterfalls, and some off the beaten places.

• Day 1 | Mirador San Miguel to Oasis Sangalle | 9 miles
• Day 2 | Oasis Sangalle to Fure | 6.25 miles | Add-On Trek to Waterfall (2 miles each way)
• Day 3 | Fure to Llahuar | 3.5 miles
• Day 4 | Collectivo to Cabanaconde | Add-On Full Day hike for extreme uphill trek to Cabanaconde

Colca Canyon Entrance Fee: $70 PEN ( $18.50 USD) and valid for 5 days. Pay it upon entrance, usually someone waiting at the trailhead or the popular Cruz del Sur Viewpoint

⁉️ If downloading the Colca Canyon Trek map, please verify that the map is correct and follows the waypoints. Oftentimes there are updates to the site, map platforms, and other things, which can cause a bug in downloading. This map is solely a planning tool. Please comment below if something doesn’t download right or email me here, as it helps me keep the maps up to date and maintained. Always hike responsibly and respect the mountains by practicing no trace philosophy, avoid hiking alone, and don’t stray from the visible trail. I also love to check and plan my routes with useful tools like graphhopper.

Colca Canyon Trek Without a Guide Overview

• Point-to-Point Trail
• 4 Day Itinerary
• Mileage: +/- 18 miles
  • With so many Colca Canyon hiking routes, this number will vary
• Difficulty:Moderately Difficult – Hard depending on the route, how many days, ect
  • Most routes include up and down ascents and descents on narrow and steep trails.
• Trail Markers: The trail is fairly well marked with large signboards with arrows along the route. Maps.me has all of the trail options
• Camp or Stay in Guest Houses in the Colca Canyon
  • Average cost for a bed (no meals) is 25 PEN ($6.50 USD) per night
  • Average nightly camping fee is 8 PEN ($2)
• Colca Canyon Trek Packing List
  • Tent, Sleeping Bag, Sleeping Pad (Optional)
  • Stove, cooking gear, food and snacks (Optional, but guests have no access to the kitchens)
  • Hiking Books with good ankle support, even better if they are water resistant
  • Layered clothing, preferably long sleeves and pants for sun protection and from brushy overgrowth
  • Baseball cap, sunscreen
  • Small toiletries, quick-dry towel, swimsuit
  • Lightweight Rain Jacket
  • Dry, warm clothing for night
  • Plenty of Water & Water Filter or water purification tablets
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Offline Colca Canyon Trek Map
  • Hiking Poles if you love them
  • Chargers, cords, cables, battery pack, headlamp (Many places shut off electricity at night)
  • Small bills for guesthouses, Colca Canyon entrance fee, snacks, and food along the route

🏕️ Camping in the Colca Canyon? Here’s my complete Peru Packing List for Multi-Day Treks

Detailed Daily Schedule | Colca Canyon Trek Without a Guide

Here’s a basic daily schedule on how to hike the Colca Canyon trek without a guide.

Skip to Colca Canyon Trek | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4

Day 1 | San Miguel Viewpoint to Sangalle “Oasis”

After around 6 hours on the bus from Arequipa, exit at the Mirador San Miguel. This “bus stop” is before the village of Cabanaconde. More than likely, there will be a man here collecting the steep entrance fee for the Colca Canyon (70 PEN). There’s also one last garbage drop here and a bench.

Savor those incredible canyon valley views and begin the downhill trek to the San Juan bridge. The bridge is more or less 2 hours from the trailhead. Cross the bridge and begin the uphill trek to San Juan Chuccho village. There are a few routes, but I chose to hike the trail above the village, which gave me nice views with fewer people.

Remember, hiking the Colca Canyon is a lot of ups and down, both steep and gradual ascents and descents with multiple routes. If you wish, hike pass the small hamlets of Cosñinhua and Malata. There are really nice viewpoints of the canyon with covered benches. Finally, begin the ascent into the most popular stop on the Colca Canyon hike, Sangalle Oasis.

Before coming into Sangalle, near the main intersection and signboard for Fure, Sangalle, and Malata look for a man with a make-shift stand. He sells water and snacks for half the price compared to Sangalle. I highly suggest stocking up on supplies from him.

The hike into Sangalle is really nice. Look for the waterfall. It’s truly like entering an Oasis in the middle of the desert.

Where to Sleep in Sangalle Oasis Colca Canyon

Since Sangalle is the place to sleep in the Colca Canyon and all the Colca Canyon tours stop here, find three major guest houses, all with pools. If hiking Colca Canyon during the busy season, make sure to book a room in advance. Campers can just show up, as there is plenty of space to pitch a tent.

• Oasis Paraiso Ecolodge | Mountain lodge with pools, camping available
• Paraiso Las Palmeras Lodge | Mountain lodge with pool, camping available
• Tropical Lodge | Mountain lodge with pools, camping available

Day 1 Colca Canyon Trek Overview

• Distance: 9 miles
• Duration: +/- 7 hours, dependent on weather, breaks, and fitness level
• Sangalle Elevation: 7,395 ft (2,254 m)

Day 2 | Sangalle Oasis to Fure

Depart Oasis Sangalle early in the morning to begin the uphill trek to Apacheta Viewpoint. There is the main trail farther up near the make-shift tienda and you may notice a few goat trails. Make sure to use your best judgement if opting for the goat path.

This part of the Colca Canyon hike is very steep, but really offers incredible views looking down into Sangalle. It’s a solid 2 hour climb to reach the viewpoint from Sangalle.

The Apacheta viewpoint is shaded and has a bench. It’s a great place to break. If you want to experience a hidden gem along the Colca Canyon trek and have the time, continue towards the village of Fure.

Although there is signboard for a trail to Fure (maps.me trail coordinates -15.592577, -71.990334, the trail on the right), it’s best to follow and stay on the gravel-like road. There is private property near the paths and some of the trails have become impassable. Stick to the “gravel road.” I made the mistake of following a steep hillside path that led nowhere and was a dead end. I had to slide down shale into someones backyard. I can’t emphasize it enough, to stick to the main road path!

The trail narrows out and becomes pretty steep. Be mindful, there are some sections of the path in rough shape from rockslides and erosion. However, the trail to Fure is so breathtaking and offers some of the best Colca Canyon views. Stop at the small covered viewpoint. Even with my mishap of taking the wrong path, it was 2 hours to reach the viewpoint from Apacheta.

The narrow path continues with an ascent and a bridge crossing until finally reaching the tiny village of Fure.

💬 Real Talk | There has been some construction along the route for water piping, but I still found Fure to be my favorite spot on the Colca Canyon trek.

Fure Village

The main draw to sleep in Fure is the hike to the Fure Waterfall (Catarata Huaruro). Although the waterfall is nice, the true highlight is the scenic 2 mile trail each way to reach the waterfall. There is a slight and steady incline, but the hike to Huaruro Waterfall is totally worth it! Take a picnic and enjoy this place with barely any tourists.

Fure village is quite untouched and a highlight of the Colca Canyon trek. The people here are so nice and welcoming. Fure Wasi Camping is a nice guesthouse with surprisingly good Wi-Fi. The village of Fure only has one or two places to sleep. Fure Wasi has lovely canyon views, rooms to rent, plenty of places to camp, and an on-site water source (unfiltered).

Day 2 Colca Canyon Trek Overview

• Distance: 6.25 miles +4 for Fure Waterfall (10+ miles)
• Duration: +/- 6 hours to Fure +/- 2 hours for Waterfall
• Fure Elevation: 10,210 ft (3,112 m)

Day 3 | Fure to Llahuar

Depart Fure in the direction of Llatica. There are signboards for Llatica. However, today’s Colca Canyon trek isn’t so long, so if you didn’t have the energy to visit the waterfall yesterday, there’s still time today!

The downhill trail section from Fure to Llatica is beautiful and one of my favorite sections of the Colca Canyon trek. Before reaching Llatica, with its small yet beacon-like church, cross the Molloco River via a bridge The Llatica Church is a great place to break before continuing towards Llahuar.

The lovely trail to Llahuar is straightforward with river and canyon views on the left.

Llahuar Village

Llahuar is a great place to sleep because there are natural hot spring pools. There are two main Llahuar Guest Houses: Llahuar Lodge and Casa de Virginia.

Llahuar Lodge Colca Canyon has lodging right next to the Colca River and boasts hot spring pools right on the river. However, I loved the charm of Casa de Virginia that has a beautiful garden, lots of places to camp, and friendly pups. Casa de Virginia is a little higher altitude, so you get some sweeping Colca Canyon sunset views. Both offer meals, but neither have access to a kitchen.

Day 3 Colca Canyon Trek

• Distance: 3.5 miles
• Duration: +/- 2.5 hours
• Llahuar Elevation: 6,910 ft. (2,106 m)

Day 4 | Llahuar to Cabanaconde

☛ Travel Tip | The last bus to Arequipa from Cabanaconde is at 14:00 so plan accordingly!

While this is a 4 day Colca Canyon trek itinerary, there is an option to not hike at all on the last day. Simply walk 20 minutes out of town to the bus station on the main road. There are two daily collectivos. Check in with your guesthouse, but times are usually early morning and before noon. The buses are coming from deeper from the canyon, so these times are simply estimates.

 🚐 Llahuar to Cabanaconde Bus | Average Fare: 10 -15 PEN ($2.65 – $4) | Duration: 1.5 hours | Current Departure Schedule: 5:00, 11:00, but buses are never on time

Oftentimes, there is usually a man with his truck offering groups a ride (as the buses are usually full). This guy is a genius and charges for it. 🙂 The good news is there are usually fellow hikers to help split the fare.

 🚐 Private Truck | Average Fare: 180 PEN ($48) and fits up to 6 people | Duration: 1.5 hours

LLahuar to Cabanaconde Hiking Option

If you wish to hike on the final day, it is possible to hike from Llahuar to Cabanaconde. However, what goes down must go up. Llahuar village is at an altitude of 6,910 ft and Cabanaconde is at an elevation of 10,784 ft. The trail to Cabanaconde will be a tough and extremely steep uphill climb.

⁉️ This would be an extreme hike of almost 6.75 miles with a grueling ascent of almost 4,000 ft ⁉️

This Colca Canyon trail passes through Chuirca, Achachihua Viewpoint, and eventually arrives into Cabanaconde.

💬 Real Talk | I highly suggest taking the collectivo into Cabanaconde so you have the energy to explore more villages of the Colca Canyon. Yanque Peru is an awesome place to stay in the Colca Canyon and offers tons of cool things to do and plenty of Colca Canyon day hikes. More on that here.

How to Get to Arequipa from Cabanaconde

Cabanaconde is a small transit village in the Colca Canyon that has a few guesthouses and restaurants, so if you miss the bus to Arequipa, just plan on sleeping here. One of the best places to sleep in Cabanaconde is Hostel Pachamama. Buses depart from Cabanaconde to Arequipa from the Cabanaconde Plaza de Armas.

Here’s the most current Cabanaconde bus schedule, however, always check-in with guesthouses along the route. Plan accordingly.

Departure Time	Bus Company
6:30	Reyna
9:00	Andalucia
14:00	Reyna
22:00	Milagros

🚌 Cabanaconde to Arequipa Bus | Buses depart from the Cabanaconde Plaze del Armas | Average Bus Fare: 16 PEN ($4.25 USD) | Duration: 6+ hours | Current Realistic Departure Times: 9:00, 11:00, 14:00

More Ways to Reach Arequipa from Cabanaconde

Again, the popular Hostel Pachamama in Cabanaconde offers a daily shuttle to Arequipa. The shuttle departs from the hostel at 9:30, stops at viewpoint and the hot springs and is in Chivay for lunch at around 13:30. Arrive to Arequipa at 17:30. Shuttle is around 62 PEN / $16 USD per person for the ride only. Option to purchase lunch and hot springs.

Colca Canyon Trek Cost

So how much did it cost me to hike the Colca Canyon without a guide with 4 days?

EXPENSE	PEN (S/)	USD ($)
Taxi to Arequipa Bus Terminal	S/ 10	$2.50
Personal Food & Snacks for 3 days	S/ 25	$6.50
Small Propane Tank for stove	S/ 20	$5.25
Bus Fare: Arequipa to Cabanaconde (plus exit fee)	S/ 19.5	$5
Colca Canyon Entrance Fee	S/ 70	$18.25
Camping Fees Colca Canyon | 3 Nights | Oasis 8, Fure 10, Llahuar 5	S/ 23	$6
Vegetarian Dinner | 3 Nights | Oasis 15, Fure 15, Llahuar 12	S/ 42	$11
Beer at Oasis	S/ 12	$3
Collectivo Llahuar to Cabanaconde	S/ 12	$3
Cabanaconde Bus to Arequipa	S/ 16	$4.25
TOTAL	S/ 249.50	≈ $65

In total, this 4 day Colca Cayon trek cost me just under $65!

Of course, prices can always vary during season. Things like collectivos and bus fares can also depend on the driver and company.

Sleeping in a guesthouse along the Colca Canyon trek would also increase the cost. Most guest houses in the Colca Canyon cost around 20 to 25 PEN a night ($5+ USD). I usually ate one meal a day (dinner) at the guest houses. If carrying no food or stove, budget in extra money for meals.

Also, purchasing water is expensive. The average large bottle of water in each village costs around 15 soles ($4 USD). With the canyon being quite dry, and river access limited, it’s almost inevitable that you will need to purchase water at some point along the trail.

⁉️ Travel Tip | There is no ATM in Cabanaconde, so come prepared with enough money from Arequipa.

More Adventures in Colca Canyon Without a Guide

There are so many more things to do in the Colca Canyon besides trekking in the popular areas of the Colca Canyon.

It’s possible to spend a few days in Cabanaconde and see some of the nearby day hikes.

Intrepid travelers may wish to arrange a visit to the even more isolated Cotahuasi Canyon. This canyon is even deeper than the Colca Canyon, but is quite the adventure in itself to access.

Closer to Chivay, is the village of Yanque. Buses from Cabanaconde to Arequipa stop by Yanque (only 1 hour and 30 minutes from Cabanaconde).

Not only is Yanque Peru a totally charming village in South America, but there are so many incredible things to do in Yanque. It is a gateway village to some awesome alternative Colca Canyon day hikes. On top of that, there are some awesome hot springs to soak in.

The full day Colca Canyon trek from Yanque to Coporaque is lovely. Get some stellar views of the valley, visit the Uyo-Uyo ruins and tombs, and see hardly any tourists. The Chimba Fortress is also an awesome full day hike that has one of the most impressive viewpoints of the Colca Canyon.

Final Thoughts Hiking Colca Canyon Peru

In short, this is a 4 day Colca Canyon trek itinerary for those looking to hike the Colca Canyon without a tour. While there are many guided Colca Canyon tours, those traveler who feel confident in their hiking abilities will love exploring the world’s second deepest canyon on their own.

There are many Colca Canyon trek routes. Make sure to decide how many days you want to hike in the canyon, if you want to camp or sleep in guesthouses, and what Colca Canyon attractions you wish to see. From waterfalls, hillside villages, soaring condors, and more, there are so many different things to see in the Colca Canyon.

This Colca Canyon trek guide includes a 4 day itinerary from San Miguel Viewpoint to Llahuar . Whether you choose to hike the Colca Canyon or visit as a full day excursion, this incredible landmark in Peru should not be missed!

Ultimately, a Colca Canyon trek is breathtaking and worth a visit.

🥾 More Multi-Day Peru Treks | Ausangate Trek | Choquequirao Trek | Waqrapukara Ruins | Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek | Cusco Itinerary & Best Trekking in Cusco

Have you visited the Colca Canyon? Did you choose to hike the Colca Canyon? Did you opt for a Colca Canyon tour or a Colca Canyon trek without a guide? Which Colca Canyon trek route did you take? Am I missing anything in this Colca Canyon trek guide? Let me know in the comments below!

Disclaimer: There’s a chance this post contains affiliate links, and I receive a small (but grateful) portion of the sale. There’s no extra cost to you, and I only promote things that I use and love.