Chivay

Chivay in Peru’s Colca Valley sits at 3,635 meters, surrounded by terraced slopes and snow-covered volcanoes. This high-altitude town serves as a starting point for exploring the canyon and nearby areas. Walk across a stone bridge built by the Inca, soak in hot springs heated by nearby volcanoes, or look through woven alpaca blankets at the central market. Roads from town lead to viewpoints where condors fly close to visitors, ancient farming terraces older than the Inca Empire, and communities that maintain centuries-old weaving techniques. After dark, use telescopes at the planetarium to see Jupiter’s moons or the glowing band of the Milky Way.

Visit Cruz del Condor for Condor Sightings and Canyon Views

Drive 66 kilometers from Chivay to reach Cruz del Condor, where Andean condors rise on warm air currents above Colca Canyon. The canyon measures 4,160 meters from its highest edge to the river below, making it twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. Arrive before 9 AM to watch these birds glide within arm’s reach of the viewing platform. Guides from Chivay lead hikes down trails used by farmers tending quinoa and corn on pre-Inca terraces. Full-day walks end at Sangalle Oasis, where three natural pools sit under palm trees at the canyon’s base. Keep binoculars handy to spot vicuñas—wild relatives of llamas—in the national reserve during your drive back.

Relax in La Calera Hot Springs

Three kilometers north of Chivay, La Calera’s thermal baths provide five stone pools filled with water heated by underground magma. Temperatures stay between 35°C and 40°C year-round. Soak in pools containing sulfur and iron while looking up at rock walls streaked with mineral deposits. Fewer people visit after 4 PM, giving you space to stretch out. Rent towels at the entrance and store belongings in lockers before entering. A display near the ticket office describes how local healers used these springs for rituals long before Spanish colonization.

Walk Through Chivay’s Historic Center and Market

The volcanic stone church on Chivay’s plaza dates to 1750, with a painted wooden altar showing Catholic saints blended with Andean symbols. Each morning, vendors lay out potatoes dyed in bright colors, knitted hats with ear flaps, and dried coca leaves for altitude adjustment. Order a plate of rocoto relleno—peppers stuffed with meat and cheese—at the market’s food stalls. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, farmers from Coporaque and Ichupampa bring fresh cheese and honeycomb to sell. Cross the 15th-century Inca Bridge northwest of town, a narrow stone path spanning a 30-meter-deep gorge above the Colca River.

Observe Stars at Colca Planetarium

Chivay’s high elevation and dry air create clear night skies ideal for astronomy. At Colca Planetarium, staff use laser pointers and telescopes to show constellations like the Llama and the Fox as defined by Inca astronomers. English tours start at 7 PM, lasting 90 minutes. View Saturn’s rings through a 14-inch telescope or photograph the Coalsack Nebula with your phone using adapters provided. From January to March, afternoon clouds sometimes obscure the sky—ask staff for weather updates before buying tickets.

Hike to Uyu Uyo or Bike Down from Patapampa

Climb to Uyu Uyo, a circular stone complex built by the Collagua people 600 years ago, on a two-hour trail starting behind Chivay’s cemetery. For downhill cycling, rent a mountain bike and take a taxi to Patapampa viewpoint at 4,900 meters, then coast past grazing alpacas to Chivay in 90 minutes. Experienced hikers can join guided groups to spend three days crossing the canyon from Cabanaconde to Tapay village. If you prefer shorter adventures, zip-line over the Colca River near La Calera, harnessed to steel cables stretching 200 meters across the ravine.

Join Chivay’s December Festival Celebrations

From December 8-10, Chivay honors its patron saint with fireworks, brass bands, and dancers wearing embroidered skirts and feathered headdresses. Locals carry a statue of the Virgin Mary through streets lined with vendors selling fried dough and purple corn pudding. At night, families burn offerings of flowers and candy in clay pots to thank Pachamama for the year’s harvest. Reserve hotel rooms by October if you plan to attend—most guesthouses fill completely during this event.

Take Day Trips to Sibayo, Yanque, and Sangalle Oasis

Sibayo village, 66 kilometers northwest, has houses made from river stones and a 17th-century church with cactus-wood ceilings. In Yanque, 11 kilometers from Chivay, walk through Uyo Uyo’s stone grain storage buildings and intact Inca canals. To reach Sangalle Oasis, hike downhill from Cabanaconde for three hours—pack a swimsuit to cool off in its spring-fed pools. For condor viewing without crowds, ask a taxi driver to take you to Tapay viewpoint on the canyon’s less-visited southern rim.

Manage Altitude and Weather Conditions

Chivay’s thin air causes headaches or nausea in many visitors; sip coca tea or mate de muña (mint tea) to ease symptoms. Days feel warm under direct sun, but temperatures plunge after sunset—bring a fleece jacket and gloves. Buses from Arequipa take four hours, winding past the Misti and Chachani volcanoes. Shared minivans cost 20 soles per person and leave when full; private tours stop at viewpoints like Patapampa and wild vicuña feeding areas.