COTAHUASI TREK IN AREQUIPA 4D/3N

TOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1: Arequipa – Majes Valley - Cotahuasi

8am pick up from your hotel and we leave from Arequipa. We will visit Toro Muerto Petroglyphs and Pre-Inca tombs. Next we will explore the Majes valley, Andamayo Canyon and the geological natural formation called the Castilla Castle, spending the daytime at Majes Valley.
7pm continue travelling to Cotahuasi Canyon by bus.

DAY 2: Cotahuasi – Sipia Waterfall

At 4am we arrive at Cotahuasi town, followed by a short rest at the hotel. We then trek, descending 4 hours, to the valley of Piro, Cuyao bridge, Toro bridge and finally arriving at the valley and Sipia waterfall. We will observe geological walls of the deeppest canyon in the world, a spectacular large river going to the Pacific Ocean that can be appreciated in this beautiful place with a variety of contrasting colors. This is a lovely place of wild canyon geography. We then return to Cotahuasi town.

DAY 3: Cotahuasi - Puica – Luicho Hot spring

At 6am we travel by bus 3 hours to a highland village, called Puica (3600m). This is a typical village with several habitants dedicated to agriculture and domesticated animals.
From here we start to do a small hike, approximately 2 hours, to Jatun Llaqta archeological site. This is well-connected with the Wari culture and Inca times, and was used as an administrative center by the Inca army for this zone. After lunch we will descend the canyon and to Alca valley. This walk is a light 4 hour hike, with impressive sights of agricultural terraces (over 1400 years old) and many varieties of flora and fauna.
2pm we arrive at Alca town and visit and swim in the medicinal hot springs of Luicho that are 45º C. We will dine and rest at this charming village.

DAY 4: Cotahuasi - Arequipa

After our breakfast, at 8am we begin walking to the left of the Cotahuasi river. Today we will hike 6 hours to the Cotahuasi town, going through terraced areas, small towns, suspension bridges, little rivers that flow into the canyon. We will stop briefly in villages and observe the local people in their uncorrupted lives. At 2pm we travel by bus 10 hours back to Arequipa, ending our trip.