Cotahuasi Canyon Tour and Trek

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arequipa - Majes Valley
6 am we pick you up from your hotel and travel by 4WD vehicle on the Pan American road, going through the "Valle de Majes" and towns of Corire and Aplao.

Near to Corire, we visit the petroglyphs of “Toro Muerto” (Dead Bull) or the original name is "KgellcaMarka" (Dr Huanqui Hurtado, UNSA). There are carvings on volcanic rocks including stylized figures of animals, like llamas, foxes, condors, eagles, snakes, deer and human images in anthropomorphosis style. There are also geometric representations of the sun, mountains, rivers and shrimps representing idols or totems etc.  Archaeologists estimate that there are 5,000 carved stones spread across this volcanic ash area.

After “Toro Muerto” we drive along an asphalted road straight to Chuquibamba, a small town where we stop for lunch. Then, we take the unsealed road up between the volcanic mountains of Coropuna (6424 m.) and Solimana (63OO m).  We will see llamas and alpacas and the Queñual trees.  Also, sometimes it´s possible to see vicuñas, condors and deer.

The high pass in the area is about 4800m. We arrive at Cotahuasi Village in the Canyon (2684m), where we have dinner and sleep overnight in a comfortable hostel.

Day 2: Waterfalls of Sipia
After an early breakfast we visit the “Catarata de Sipia” or giant-sized waterfalls. We trek for 3 hours through the canyon, crossing bridges over the river until we reach the first waterfall. Here the River Cotahuasi flows rapidly with all its might falling 50 m. to the bottom. Rainbows take shape in the misty clouds. We return to Cotahuasi.

In the afternoon we explore the town of Cotahuasi, to admire its narrow little streets paved with river stones and the impressive whitened houses; then we walk to Chaqui Cocha, a small lagoon near Cotahuasi.  We have dinner and sleep at the hotel.

Day 3: Cotahuasi
After an early, breakfast we leave by car to visit Tomepampa Village (2,700m).The road goes parallel to the river, where there are abundant yellow flowers of "retamas" that scatter their perfumes. We arrive at Tomepampa, and admire its narrow streets paved with stones, the impressive colonial houses with balconies, and its colonial church which is noted for its typical art. Then we continue on and reach a little suspension bridge on the river Cotahuasi which guides us to Visbe and Taurisma villages. We continue to follow the main route and we arrive at Alca (40 km from Cotahuasi).

From Alca, we trek for 1.5 hrs, up to the pre-Incan ruins of Cahuana. These ruins are like a tiny one reminds us majestic  Machu Picchu Citadel. We return to Alca for lunch. We have siesta at the hot springs of Luicho in Alca and then return to Cotahuasi for dinner and sleep at the hotel.

Day 4: Cotahuasi- Arequipa-
After breakfast we to return to the “White City” of Arequipa. On the way we pass by the pretty lagoon of Pallarcocha located at base of Coronapuna Volcano and continue by interesting geographical structures called the charmed castles of Majes. Here we will listen to the mythological nymph's voice in this ancient enigmatic place. Arrive at Aplao for a typical lunch of fishes or shrimps at the bank of Majes River. Finally we return to Arequipa.

INCLUDED:

·         Private Transport

·         3 night’s accommodation at hotel

·         3 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners(all meals)

·         Experienced guide, fluent in Spanish and English

·         Tourist tickets required to visit the area

NOT INCLUDED:

·         Drinks, including bottled water

PRICE: UD$440.00 per person. ( Based in two passengers )

Note: The price is an estimate and is subject to change slightly, if circumstances require it. It is also based on double or twin accommodation.  A single supplement applies if you request single accommodation.