Colca Canyon: Expedition Itinerary

Day 1: After a short connecting flight from Lima, you arrive in the Andean city of Arequipa, Peru, where you’re met by your trip leader and taken to your deluxe hotel accommodation. You’ll have plenty of time this afternoon to explore this dazzling city. Over an exquisite dinner of Peruvian fare, we’ll have our trip orientation where your expedition leader will cover all of the details of our extraordinary journey, which begins the following morning.

Day 2: This morning we begin a thrilling drive five hours north to the rim of Colca Canyon and into the quaint village of Huambo. We’ll set camp, and over appetizers and happy hour we’ll watch as the sun sets over one of the world’s deepest canyons!

Day 3: Today we journey down into Colca Canyon. With the assistance of our guides and porters, we’ll load all of our gear onto burros. Individually, we’ll travel lightly, carrying only small daypacks and water on a seven to eight hour descent to the river. The hike is breathtaking as we descend nearly two miles down and through a geologic paradise!

Day 4-8: We’ll awaken the morning of day four to the roar of the Colca River. After a hot breakfast we’ll journey upstream a short ways to check out the colossal extraordinary Juan Pablo II Falls. Upon returning to camp, we find our boats rigged and ready. After an extensive safety orientation and equipment check, we launch onto the river, beginning our journey into the mystical Colca Canyon.

The six days on this trip are some of the most dramatic days that you will ever experience. The sheer, twisting walls of the canyon will oftentimes prevent any sightline to the sky above. Massive Andean Condors issue shrill screams as they soar overhead. At 10,725 feet deep and in one of the remotest regions of Peru, we adjust to living on “river time -” waking by daylight and sleeping with darkness. Our days will be demanding and exhilarating as the difficulty of the whitewater increases throughout the trip. Teamwork is essential as the inner canyon river corridor culminates in a series of steep and technical class IV and V rapids and at least one extremely demanding portage. We’ll navigate the river as cautiously as possible given our resources and our location. A conservative approach, coupled with our outstanding crew of world renowned river guides and the employment of only the most up to date rafts and equipment ensure the utmost in safety throughout the descent. We’ll spend our evenings relaxing in camp, recounting the days’ events, exploring nearby sites, and partaking of some of the finest meals and beverages you’ll ever earn!

On Day 9: On our final river day we’ll travel a short distance through some yet-exciting Class III and IV rapids to our take-out at the confluence of the Rio Colca with the Rio Majes. From the take-out, we voyage in jeep a quick three hours’ to Arequipa. You’re back in time to clean up in your deluxe accommodation and to prepare for the extravagant trip dinner and fiesta. Congratulations on descending one of the most exciting and one of the deepest canyons in the world!

Day 10: This morning you catch your flight to Lima and then connect to your next destination, whether it’s home or on to your next adventure!