Day 1    Arequipa - Salinas - Chivay
We will pick you up at 3am then head to Cabanaconde in Chivay. On the way we'll pass by the National Reserve Salinas and Aguadas Blancas at almost 4000 m. We will see many herds of vicuñas as well as Flemish Roses growing in the lagoons. Then we have a short break at the Mirador of the Andes(4,900 m) from which we can observe several mountains and snowcapped volcanoes including Misti, Chachani and Ampato (the mountain where Mummy Juanita was found). Also we can see mountains such as Sabancaya, Halka Halka, Chucura and others. We'll continue in our private transport until we arrive in Chivay (the capital of Colca/Caylloma region)at 1:30pm. There we will have lunch in a traditional restaurant after which we'll have 30 minutes free time in town. Next we will visit the hot springs of Calera, rich in sulphur and iron and renowned for their curative properties to battle rheumatism and arthritis. Dinner tonight comes with a show of traditional dancing. We will stay at a hotel in Chivay.

Meals LD

Day 2    Colca Canyon - Arequipa
Today we wake up early, and after breakfast at our hotel, we'll take the road in the middle of a magnificent landscape of agricultural pre-Inca terraces perched on the slopes of the mountains with yellow, green and ochre tones with snowy mountains hanging over the fertile valley and colonial villages positioned along the valley, all magnified by the beautiful light of the morning. We'll arrive early at the mirador "Cruz Condor" where we can spend about an hour and a half during which we will have the opportunity to observe the largest flying bird in the world. The condor uses currents of warm air from the morning to go up along the canyon. It is also the perfect point to appreciate the depth of the canyon and the heights of Coropuna and Sabacaya (the latter is still an active volcano). After that we will head in the opposite direction where we will have the opportunity to visit traditional villages like Pinchollo, Yanque and Maca which were built in the 16th century by the Spanish in order to contain and control indigenous people. The churches in these villages are demonstrations of the baroque-étis style, a mixture of Spanish baroque style with the Andean interpretation of the evangelistic word. We will learn more about the their customs. As we return to Chivay we'll have time to visit the town with its market and then lunch. In the afternoon we'll return to Arequipa.

Meals BL