Colca Canyon 1-day itinerary

Depart Chivay at 5am for the 90-minute drive to Cruz del Condor, the canyon's most famous viewpoint where Andean condors ride the morning thermals rising from the canyon floor 1,200 metres below. Arrive by 6:30am and claim a spot at the railing — the condors begin their ascent between 7-9am, soaring within metres of the viewing platform on wingspans reaching 3.2 metres. The canyon itself is twice the depth of the Grand Canyon at its deepest point and the scale is staggering. On clear mornings, the snow-capped volcanoes Ampato and Sabancaya frame the background.

Drive the canyon rim road stopping at Antahuilque and Choquetico viewpoints for different perspectives of the terraced canyon walls — the agricultural terraces here predate the Inca, built by the Collagua and Cabana peoples over 1,400 years ago and still farmed today. Continue to Yanque village, one of the most picturesque settlements in the valley, where women in traditional embroidered dresses and distinctive white hats gather at the colonial church plaza. Visit the Yanque church built in 1690 with its ornately carved stone facade. Lunch at a local restaurant in Yanque — try chupe de camarones (river shrimp soup) or alpaca steak.

End your canyon day at La Calera hot springs, 4km outside Chivay — natural thermal pools fed by volcanic geothermal water reaching 38-40°C. After a day at altitude (3,600m+) and a pre-dawn start, sinking into the steaming mineral water with the Andes rising on all sides is deeply restorative. The facility has five pools at different temperatures plus changing rooms and lockers. The setting sun turns the surrounding cliffs amber and gold while you soak. Return to Chivay for dinner — try rocoto relleno (stuffed hot pepper) and a Cusquena beer at one of the plaza restaurants.