Yanque to Coporaque Peru Beautiful Alternative Colca Canyon Day Hike
Peru’s Colca Canyon is a spectacular landmark, the perfect place for trekking in an arid desert landscape. Spot condors flying gracefully through the sky, visit charming villages, and check-off your bucket-list seeing the world’s second deepest canyon. Yes, the Colca valley offers all of these things, including some hidden gems, like the tiny hamlet of Coporaque Peru.
There are many options for trekking Colca Canyon, either with a guide, or intrepid hikers may opt without one. The most popular route is a two day Colca Canyon trek. This standard two day trek includes an overnight in the “oasis village” of Sangalle, with stops in Cabanaconde village and the famous viewpoint of Mirador Cruz del Cóndor. The access fee to enter Colca Canyon is as steep as the canyon itself, a whopping 70 soles ($17 USD).
It’s possible to experience the beauty of the Colca Canyon outside of the main ticketed area, like in Yanque and Coporaque Peru. Even better, a stunning and alternative Colca Canyon day hike connects these two villages. Expect to savor sweeping views, visit a fascinating archaeological sites and tombs, all while tackling a high altitude climb.
Find all you need to know about this alternative Colca Canyon day hike from Yanque to Coporque Peru, with a stop at the Uyo-Uyo Pre-Inca Site.
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.
- Where is Yanque Peru & Why You Should Visit?!
- Overview & Map | Hike to Coporaque Peru & Uyo-Uyo Site
- Yanque to Coporaque Peru
- Depart Coporaque Peru to Uyo-Uyo Site
- Options After Colca Canyon Day Hike
- Awesome Colca Canyon Day Hike | Yanque to Coporaque Peru
Where is Yanque Peru & Why You Should Visit?!
Yanque lies 20 miles before the ticketed area of the Colca Canyon and close to the district gateway village of Chivay. Yanque is found in the Caylloma Province of the Arequipa region. With the Colca Canyon becoming more and more popular, there are multiple buses and small colectivos departing frequently from the “white city” of Arequipa to multiple destinations in the Colca valley. Almost all of these buses and collectivos will stop in Chivay.
Yanque is an authentic village in Peru that has maintained much of its charm. While the village is small, there are so many things to do in Yanque, including the worthwhile Colca Canyon day hike to Coporaque Peru and the Uyo-Uyo ruins. From here, explore underrated spots in the entirety of the Colca valley, appreciate the distinct culture, and relax in the local hot springs.
How to Get to Yanque from Arequipa
Multiple bus companies depart from the Arequipa Terminal Terreste, found here to Chivay and into the depths of the Colca Canyon. The bus schedules are constantly changing, so always verify departure times the day before.
🚌 Arequipa to Chivay Bus Logistics | Don’t forget to pay the regional exit tax of 1.50 PEN (40¢) | Average Ticket Cost: 15 PEN ($3.75 USD) | Duration: 4 hours
Use the chart below for useful bus information and companies to reach the Colca Canyon from Arequipa. Schedules change frequently, so contact the numbers below (on WhatsApp) for the most up-to-date departure information.
| Approximate Departure Time | Bus Company | Contact Information |
| 00:30 | Andalucia | +51 054-486-263 |
| 1:00 | Reyna | +51 958-793-719 |
| 3:30 (Arrive 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 |
Near the main bus station, both collectivo companies Transportes Caminos del Inca and Tuti Tours Colca express depart Arequipa to Chivay frequently.
➯ More Arequipa Travel Guides | 10 Typical Dishes in Arequipa You Must Try | Where to Eat in Arequipa | 3 Must Visit Districts in Arequipa Peru
Once in Chivay, it’s easy to zip on over to Yanque.
🚐 Chivay to Yanque Collectivos | Cost: $1.30 PEN (30¢) | Depart when full, three blocks from the Chivay Plaza de Armas near here | Duration: 10 minutes
Where to Sleep in Yanque Peru
With so many awesome things to do in Yanque, it’s worth to spend at least one night in the village. I ended up staying for a full week. There are a wide range of camping spots, guesthouses and hostels within the village and on the outskirts of town.
Budget | Casa Bella Flor is an amazing family run guesthouse with a beautiful garden, incredible hosts, and clean rooms. The family also offers Colca Canyon tours, but is also willing to give helpful details for independent travelers.
Mid Range | Le Foyer Casa has bright rooms and amazing views of the Colca Canyon. With it’s perfect location outside of town, this is near the trailhead to the Coporaque Peru hike.
Luxury | Colca Lodge Spa & Hot Springs is a luxury resort outside of the village of Yanque, but boasts its own private hot springs.
➜ Find the Best Places to Stay in Yanque Peru
Overview & Map | Hike to Coporaque Peru & Uyo-Uyo Site
The hike from Yanque to the hamlet of Coporaque is a great way to take in the stunning natural beauty of the Colca Canyon region. The hike to Coporaque Peru includes glorious views of the distant volcanoes, like Volcano Sabancaya, which is still active and spews ash into the sky. Appreciate the gorgeous terrace views, flowering cacti, and crumbling stone ruins of the Pre-Inca civilization of the Collawa, or Collagua culture. As you walk through pastures, see women working in their intricate blue skirts pulling at stubborn donkeys, or carrying a fresh harvest on their backs.
The hike to Coporaque Peru is simple, but that’s what makes it such a nice day hike.
⁉️ If downloading the Yanque to Coporaque Peru hike 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.
Logistics of Hiking from Yanque to Coporaque Peru
- Loop Trail
- Begin the trailhead on the road near Le Foyer Colca Hostel. The trail ends on the road outside of the Uyo-Uyo ruins. If you wish, follow the road back to Yanque, or alternatively, visit one of the Yanque hot springs.
- Trail highlights: Mirador San Antonio, hamlet of Corporaque Peru, Pre-Inca burial tombs, and Uyo-Uyo ruins
- Yanque to Coporaque Peru Mileage: 3.25 miles
- Total Mileage: Around 6.5 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate, some sections of the trail are steep and the altitude is quite high Coporaque Peru elevation is 11,722 feet (3573m)
- It’s best to start the hike early in the morning around sunrise to avoid the intense desert heat. There is no shelter or sun protection along the hiking trail.
- Trail Markers: The trail follows along a dirt path without trail markers, but there are some signboards along the way and some sections of the trail are quite defined.
- Excursion Duration: +/- 6 hours
- Day Hike Essentials
- Daypack with plenty of water and snacks
- Good Hiking Shoes with ankle support
- Sunscreen
- Baseball hat or buff to protect from sun
- Lightweight long sleeve for sun protection & hiking pants
- Hiking poles if you wish
- Offline Map & battery pack
➯ Hey… don’t forget your Travel Insurance! I love SafetyWing
Yanque to Coporaque Peru
The best way to hike to Coporaque from Yanque is to depart from the village near Le Foyer Colca Hostel and then cross the Colca River via the orange footbridge. After the bridge, come to the main road. Look for the not so distinct foot path and start climbing. Follow the small trail, where you will notice an obvious fork in the trail. Left leads to the Uyo-Uyo ruins, while the path to the right leads to the hamlet of Coporaque. Don’t worry, on the way back, meet back up with this point to visit Uyo-Uyo ruins.
Enjoy sweeping views of the Colca Canyon. In the first week of December, the cactuses were blooming beautiful white flowers. Not long from the fork, notice the first marked mirador, Chiqra. The views of the distant volcanoes are incredible. Savor those epic views and continue to San Antonio Mirador.
Mirador San Antonio
At a whopping 11,827 ft (3,605 m), Mirador San Antonio may literally take your breath away. Here, find a covered awning, so it makes for an excellent spot to take a break. When ready, take the scenic path into Coporaque, which is now less than a mile away. Keep your eyes peeled for ruins of ancient buildings along the route.
Coporaque Peru
Coporaque is a very small town, it is so small, it might even be considered a hamlet. While there are only a few streets, there is an inviting plaza and a cute church. The area here is tied with legends and is known as the “Land of the Inca’s Wife.” It is believed that the princess Kollawas Mamallachi married the Inca Mayta Capac in the ancient village that now houses Coporaque Peru.
The Spanish influence can be seen in the form of shells on the door. The shells reminded me of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.
Try to stay until the top of the hour. If you’re lucky, you can listen to the church bells sing. Grab a snack and coffee and enjoy it in the square. This village is quiet and there are often sheep, cows, and other livestock animals sharing the road with locals, motorbikes, and friendly street dogs.
☛ Travel Tip | There are collectivos that run from the plaza in Corporaque Peru to the nearby cities of Chivay and Yanque if you don’t wish to continue onto Uyo-Uyo Archaeological Park
Depart Coporaque Peru to Uyo-Uyo Site
Leave the Plaza de Armas of Coporaque and look for Avenida Arequipa. It’s only one block from the Plaza. The street name isn’t necessarily marked, but there are plenty of signs on the wall to point you in the right direction.
This next section of this alternative Colca Canyon day hike has the highest elevation point found near the burial tombs.
Pre-Inca Burial Site | Tumbas de Yuraq Qaqa
Leave town and head to the Tumbas de Yuraq Qaqa, the burial sites of the Collawas.
These tombs are about a half a mile from the village of Coporaque. Observe the bones and skulls that are still resting and on display in front of the unique burial tombs.
After visiting the burial site, begin the downhill and arrive back near the Mirador San Antonio. Follow the trail back to where you started, with the fork. Instead of taking the trail to the road, follow the path that leads to Uyo-Uyo Archaeological Site. This section of the trail is around half a mile. Check out those epic views of the volcanoes, since now you’re facing them straight on!
Uyo-Uyo Archaeological Site
🥾 Hiking Guide Coporaque Peru to Uyo-Uyo | Distance: 2.5 miles | Duration: +/- 2 hours
At Uyo-Uyo, there are many trails to wander around and explore. Don’t miss the lovely waterfall near the back of the park. Walk the trails, explore the ruins, and rest at one of the many mirador points. One thing that is lacking is lacking at Uyo-Uyo are informative signboards with more information, but the views and ruins themselves are spectacular.
Uyo-Uyo Pre-Inca Site | Standard Admission: 5 PEN ($1.25 USD)
The best thing to do at Uyo-Uyo is to walk the Old Inca Roads and appreciate the otherworldly landscape of this section of the Colca Canyon.
Options After Colca Canyon Day Hike
When ready, leave the Uyo-Uyo ruins from either the mirador, or follow the trail back to the main entrance. The main entrance has toilets and is closer to the footbridge entrance path. From the mirador entrance, Yanque is about 1.25 miles away.
Alternatively, head down towards the river and relax in one of the three Yanque hot springs. Two aguas termales are public. Baños Termales de Puye, has a more local feel, and Baños Termales de Chacapi boasts magnificent views along the Rio Colca. Colca Lodge Spa & Hot Springs has private hot springs, but for a pretty hefty price-tag.
✈ Peru Travel Planning | 14 Incredible Peru Hot Springs You Need to Visit
Awesome Colca Canyon Day Hike | Yanque to Coporaque Peru
In short, the hike from Yanque to Coporaque and Uyo-Uyo Archaeological Site is a fantastic alternative Colca Canyon day hike. This self-guided one day tour is the perfect way to explore the beauty of the region on your terms. There are few visitors who stop and discover the wonders outside of the popular sites of the main ticketed area of the Colca Canyon Peru.
Coporaque Peru is a small village with lots of history, both with the Collagua and Inca cultures, and ultimately the Spanish conquest. From tiny hamlets, volcanic views, flowering cacti, colorful locals, to fascinating history, and hot springs, this spectacular day hike from Yanque is worth the trek!
This Colca Canyon day hike is a lovely, “off the beaten path” alternative to more heavily trafficked Colca Canyon trekking routes. Yanque Peru and the this incredible day hiking to Coporaque was one of my favorite days in the entire Colca Canyon.
Have you visited Yanque and taken the hike up to Coporaque Peru? What did you think? Did you visit this area on your Colca Canyon tour? 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.
