National park · Peru
Colca CanyonCañón del Colca
Enter Colca Canyon: pay the Tourist Ticket (S/15, check) at Cruz del Condor or in Chivay, watch condors 07:00–09:00, hike the rim‑to‑Oasis de Sangalle trail (3–4 h down, 4–5 h up, check) in the dry season (Nov–Mar), and stay in Chivay or Cabanaconde.Enter Colca Canyon: pay the Tourist Ticket (S/15, check) at Cruz del Condor or in Chivay, watch condors 7:00 AM–9:00 AM, hike the rim‑to‑Oasis de Sangalle trail (3–4 h down, 4–5 h up, check) in the dry season (Nov–Mar), and stay in Chivay or Cabanaconde.
- 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
1,500 km² (579 sq mi)579 sq mi (1,500 km²)
approximate
Established
1981
Best months
Nov–Jan
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
- 1,500 km² (579 sq mi)579 sq mi (1,500 km²)
- Approximate total area 1,500 km² (land and river); figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1981
- Best months
- Nov–Jan
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Arequipa
Colca Canyon, one of the world’s deepest canyons, offers dramatic condor‑watching at Cruz del Condor, steep rim‑to‑bottom hikes, hot springs, and traditional villages, all set in a dry high‑altitude landscape.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteManaged by the Peruvian Ministry of Environment (check).
Size and age
1,500 km² (579 sq mi)579 sq mi (1,500 km²) · national park since 1981
Approximate total area 1,500 km² (land and river); figures vary by source (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Arequipa.
Why go
- View Andean condors from Cruz del Condor.
- Hike deep canyon trails with terraced villages.
- Explore hot springs at La Calera.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, warm; reliable condor flights.
- FebWettest month; rain likely.
- MarRain tapering; green fields.
- AprEnd of rains; fields lush.
- MayCool, dry; good trekking.
- JunCold nights; possible snow at passes.
- JulCold; less daylight.
- AugCold; windy.
- SepWindy; start of rains.
- OctDry start; good condor viewing.
- NovDry, warm; ideal hiking.
- DecDry; clear skies.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andean condor (viewed at Cruz del Condor)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Giant hummingbird, Andean goose, flamingoSep–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cruz del Condor viewpoint | Main condor observation point, entry ticket required. | Open daily; early morning best. |
| Chivay town | Hub with hotels, hot springs, market. | Open year‑round. |
| Canyon trail network | Hiking routes from the rim down to the canyon floor. | Guided or independent; some sections steep. |
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 from Wikidata; approximate centre of the canyon valley.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Ticket (Cruz del Condor / park entry) | PEN 15 | person | Ticket checked at Cruz del Condor; purchase location not confirmed (check). |
| Public bus from Arequipa to Chivay | PEN 15 | person | 2026 estimate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Tourist Ticket permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- PEN 15
- PEN 15
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Tourist Ticket
- All visitors must purchase a Tourist Ticket (S/15, check) at Cruz del Condor or in Chivay.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no open fires.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from the park authorities (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Chivay hostels
Budget rooms S/8‑S/20 per night.
Near the park
Cabanaconde lodges
Mid‑range hotels S/30‑S/60 per night.
Safety
Altitude medium
Steep trails 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
- Viewpoint reachable by road; short walk from parking.
- Trails steep, not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Buy crafts from local cooperatives, not cheap knock‑offs.
- Use authorized condor‑viewing routes; avoid disturbing wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Colca Canyon?
The Tourist Ticket costs S/15 per person (2026 estimate, check). It is checked at Cruz del Condor; exact purchase locations are unconfirmed (check).
What are the best hikes in Colca Canyon?
Short condor‑viewing walk (1 h) and the Cabanaconde–Oasis de Sangalle descent (3–4 h down, 4–5 h up) are the most popular; longer treks to Llahuar or Fure require a guide for navigation.
When is the best time to visit Colca Canyon?
Dry season November–March offers clear skies and reliable condor sightings; April and October are also good.
Do I need a guide to hike the canyon?
No, independent trekking is common on the main routes (Cabanaconde–Oasis de Sangalle, Llahuar). A guide is recommended for longer or less‑marked trails.
How do I get to the canyon from Arequipa?
Take a public bus from Arequipa’s terminal to Chivay (3.5 h, S/15, 2026 estimate check) then a taxi or local bus to the viewpoint.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Colca Canyon
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