If you’re traveling from Arequipa to Puno and want to visit Colca Canyon along the way, there’s a route that saves you a full day of backtracking: the Colca Canyon tour with direct transfer to Puno in 2 days / 1 night, from $99 USD per adult with Turismo Liberty. The price includes hotel pickup in Arequipa, a certified guide, one hotel night in Chivay, breakfast on day 2 and the transfer to Puno. You visit Cruz del Cóndor, the villages of Yanque and Maca, and you finish at Lake Titicaca.
The route most travelers take is Arequipa → Colca → Arequipa → Puno. That’s extra transit days to cover what you can do in two. In this guide you’ll find the complete itinerary, exactly what’s included and what isn’t, the entrance fees you pay on arrival in the valley (including the Chacapi hot springs ticket), when to go, what to pack, and the most common questions we get before every departure.
⚡ Colca Canyon with transfer to Puno vs. return to Arequipa: which one to choose?
The decision mainly comes down to your next destination. If you’re heading to Puno and Lake Titicaca, finishing the Colca tour directly in Puno means you don’t go back to Arequipa just to start the trip to Puno again.
| Factor | Colca 2 days (return to Arequipa) | Colca + transfer to Puno |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Arequipa → Colca → Arequipa | Arequipa → Colca → Puno |
| Duration | 2 days / 1 night | 2 days / 1 night |
| Cruz del Cóndor | Day 2 morning | Day 2 morning |
| Final destination | Arequipa | Puno (Lake Titicaca) |
| Best for | Traveler staying in Arequipa | Traveler continuing to Puno |
🗺️ What’s included — and what isn’t — in the Colca–Puno tour
One of the most common questions before booking is what’s actually included. Here’s the exact breakdown — no surprises.
✅ What’s included
- Tourist transport (tourist van)
- Pickup from your hotel (within the historic center of Arequipa)
- Certified guide (English / Spanish)
- 1 hotel night in Chivay
- Breakfast (day 2)
- Transfer to Puno
- Permanent assistance
❌ What’s NOT included
- Lunch and dinner
- Entrance fee to the Colca Valley (paid on arrival in the valley — see prices below)
- Chacapi hot springs ticket — S/ 15 per person (not included)
🦅 The Andean Condor at Cruz del Cóndor
Cruz del Cóndor is the most iconic viewpoint in Colca Canyon and one of the best places to watch the Andean condor in flight. With a wingspan of up to 3.2 meters, it is one of the largest flying birds on the planet.
Condors are most active in the morning, when the sun warms the canyon walls and creates the air currents they use to glide. That’s why the visit to Cruz del Cóndor takes place on the morning of day 2, after breakfast at your hotel in Chivay. This is the only condor viewpoint stop on the tour.
📅 Full itinerary: Colca Canyon tour with transfer to Puno in 2 days
This is the itinerary of Turismo Liberty’s Colca–Puno tour. The drive from Arequipa to Colca is about 160 km and takes roughly 3.5 hours.
📍 Day 1 — Arequipa → Colca
- 7:30 AM — Pickup from your hotel in the historic center of Arequipa. Departure toward Yura and the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where vicuñas are often seen.
- Short stop in the village of Patahuasi, known for its Inca tea.
- Stop at the Patapampa Volcano Viewpoint, at 4,900 meters above sea level.
- Arrival in Chivay. Traditional lunch at around 1:30 PM (not included).
- Afternoon visit to the Chacapi hot springs, in Yanque. The ticket is not included (S/ 15).
- Dinner with a folkloric show in Chivay (not included) and overnight at your hotel (1 night included).
📍 Day 2 — Colca → Puno
- Breakfast at the hotel (included). Departure to the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint.
- Visit to the villages of Yanque and Maca.
- Lunch in Chivay at around 12:30 PM (not included).
- Departure to Puno at around 1:30 PM, with a short stop at Lagunillas to see migratory birds.
- Arrival in Puno between 7:00 and 8:00 PM. Transfer to your hotel. End of service with Turismo Liberty.
🎫 Entrance fees and Chacapi hot springs ticket
The entrance fee to the Colca Valley and the Chacapi hot springs ticket are not included in the tour price. They are paid on arrival in the valley, depending on your nationality:
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Colca Valley entrance — Foreigners | S/ 70.00 |
| Colca Valley entrance — Latin Americans | S/ 40.00 |
| Colca Valley entrance — Peruvians | S/ 20.00 |
| Colca Valley entrance — Students (Peru) | S/ 5.00 |
| Chacapi hot springs ticket (not included) | S/ 15.00 |
Carry cash in soles: card payment is limited, especially in smaller towns like Yanque and Maca. We recommend withdrawing soles in Arequipa before departure.
🌤️ Best time to do the Colca Canyon tour to Puno
The best season for this tour is March to November. Early mornings in the valley are cold at any time of year, so bring warm clothes and sun protection.
🎒 What to pack for the Colca Canyon tour with Puno transfer
The tour reaches a maximum altitude of 4,900 meters above sea level. The fitness level is moderate.
- Warm clothes for cold early mornings
- Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
- Cash in soles for entrance fees, meals and purchases
- Swimsuit, towel and sandals for the Chacapi hot springs
- Water bottle — drink water to help with the altitude
- Coca or muña infusions can help with mild altitude symptoms
❓ Frequently asked questions about the Colca Canyon tour with transfer to Puno
The 2-day / 1-night Colca Canyon tour with transfer to Puno with Turismo Liberty starts from $99 USD per adult. It includes tourist transport, hotel pickup, a certified guide, 1 hotel night, breakfast on day 2 and the transfer to Puno. Not included: lunch and dinner, the Colca Valley entrance fee and the Chacapi hot springs ticket (S/ 15).
Tourist transport, pickup from your hotel within the historic center of Arequipa, certified guide, 1 hotel night, breakfast on day 2, transfer to Puno and permanent assistance. Not included: lunch and dinner, entrance fees to the Colca Valley and the hot springs ticket.
The Chacapi hot springs ticket costs S/ 15 per person and is not included in the tour price. It is paid on arrival. Bring a swimsuit, towel and sandals, and don’t stay in the water for more than 20 continuous minutes.
Yes. The natural route is Arequipa → Colca → Puno, and this tour runs in exactly that direction: you finish at Puno without going back to Arequipa.
The drive from Arequipa to Colca is about 160 km (roughly 3.5 hours). On day 2 the van leaves Colca at around 1:30 PM, with a short stop at Lagunillas, and arrives in Puno between 7:00 and 8:00 PM.
Yes. The tour visits the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint on the morning of day 2, after breakfast at the hotel. Condors are most active in the morning.
Pickup starts at 7:30 AM from hotels within the historic center of Arequipa. The tour ends in Puno between 7:00 and 8:00 PM on day 2.
Whether you need a focused Colca Canyon excursion or want to connect directly with Lake Titicaca, the Colca Canyon tour with Puno transfer is an efficient way to cover southern Peru without going back to Arequipa. Message us on WhatsApp for the itinerary, availability and pricing.
Ready to book the Colca Canyon tour with transfer to Puno?
Check availability for your dates — from $99 USD per adult.
