National park · Peru
Cotahuasi CanyonCañón de Cotahuasi
Enter Cotahuasi Canyon for a day hike: pay the entrance fee (check) and take the short trail to the viewpoint (2 km (1.2 mi), easy) before 10 am; for a full canyon trek (6–8 h, hard) go in the dry season May–Oct and hire a local guide (check).Enter Cotahuasi Canyon for a day hike: pay the entrance fee (check) and take the short trail to the viewpoint (1.2 mi (2 km), easy) before 10 am; for a full canyon trek (6–8 h, hard) go in the dry season May–Oct and hire a local guide (check).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²)
approximate
Established
2005
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Peru ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Peru's migration authority (Migraciones) or a Peruvian consulate; keep the entry record you receive, as hotels may ask for it.
- Peru ↗Machu Picchu entry is by timed ticket for a named circuit, with daily caps; in high season tickets sell out weeks or months ahead. Buy tickets only from the official Ministry of Culture seller or a licensed agency.
- Peru ↗The classic Inca Trail needs a permit booked through a licensed operator, often months ahead; the trail closes every February for maintenance.
- Peru ↗Altitude sickness is common above 2,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on day one, and ask a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
- Southern Sierra ↗Most towns sit at 2,700–3,500 m. Arriving by air, sleep the first nights lower — the Sacred Valley below Cusco — before moving up to Cusco.
- Southern Sierra ↗Many inter-town roads are unpaved; buses are slow and night travel is not recommended.
- Southern Sierra ↗Carry soles in small notes; ATMs are scarce outside Cusco, Ayacucho and Huancayo.
At a glance
- Country
- Peru
- Area
- 1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²)
- Approximately 1,200 km² total (land and canyon area) as reported by park authorities (check).
- Established
- 2005
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Arequipa
Cotahuasi Canyon, deeper and less visited than Colca, cuts through the Southern Sierra of Peru. Its steep walls, remote villages and a range of hikes—from a short viewpoint walk to multi‑hour canyon treks—offer a rugged, high‑altitude experience. Access is via Arequipa, and the dry season (May–Oct) provides the safest conditions.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2005.
Size and age
1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²) · national park since 2005
Approximately 1,200 km² total (land and canyon area) as reported by park authorities (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Arequipa.
Why go
- Deep canyon walls and remote villages.
- Varied hikes from short viewpoint walks to multi‑day canyon treks.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanCold nights, occasional rain.
- FebRainy season.
- MarRain still common.
- AprImproving weather.
- MayDry, clear skies.
- JunDry, mild.
- JulDry, sunny.
- AugDry, warm.
- SepDry, pleasant.
- OctEnd of dry season.
- NovFirst rains.
- DecCold, occasional snow at high points.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andean condorMay–Sep · Often seen soaring above canyon walls. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Native shrubs and cactusMar–Sep · Adapted to dry climate. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Arequipa (Terrapuerto)
Bus companies (Ana Express, Inmaculada, Cromotex, Nazareno) depart 18:00–19:00, cost S/30‑S/35, 3‑4 h to Cotahuasi.Bus companies (Ana Express, Inmaculada, Cromotex, Nazareno) depart 6:00 PM–7:00 PM, cost S/30‑S/35, 3‑4 h to Cotahuasi.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Cusco
Long‑distance bus to Arequipa then transfer as above.
≈10 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cotahuasi village | Main entrance, visitor office, short viewpoint trail. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Alca | Gateway to longer canyon routes, bus connections. | Guided access only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, centred on Cotahuasi village.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | PEN 15–20 | person | Check official rate at gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided canyon trek permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the short viewpoint trail.
- Camping
- Only in designated areas or with landowner permission.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
Where to stay
Near the park
Cotahuasi village guesthouses
Basic rooms, around S/15‑S/30 per night.
Near the park
Alca homestays
Simple lodging for longer treks.
Safety
Heat and steep descents medium
Getting lost on long trek high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Short viewpoint trail is wheelchair‑accessible with assistance.
- Long canyon routes are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally‑run guesthouses.
- Buy food from village markets.
- Avoid single‑use plastics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cotahuasi Canyon?
Entrance fee is about S/15‑S/20 per person; confirm the exact amount at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Cotahuasi Canyon?
Short viewpoint trail (2 km, easy) and the full canyon trek (6–8 h, hard) with a local guide are the main options.
When is the best time to visit Cotahuasi Canyon?
Dry season May to October offers clear weather and safest trail conditions.
How do I get to Cotahuasi Canyon from Arequipa?
Take an evening bus from Terrapuerto (S/30‑S/35, 3‑4 h) to Cotahuasi village.
Are there accommodations inside the canyon?
Guesthouses are available in Cotahuasi and Alca villages; camping is allowed only in designated spots.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Cotahuasi Canyon
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