From Colca canyon highlands to the Pacific Ocean by Cicloturismo Peru - Peru Cycling

Tour Itinerary

From Colca canyon highlands to the Pacific Ocean

Colca - Majes - Camaná

6 days / 5 nights

Location: northwest of Arequipa

Level: 4 Explore

All year round

Cycling distance: 367 km

Altitude range: 0 - 4837 m.a.s.l.

Departure from Arequipa.

End of trip at Camaná.

The bike trip following the Colca stream of waters from the canyon in the andes highlands down to the Pacific Ocean is an extraordinary and unique experience through landscapes of superb scenic beauty wilderness and visiting quiet and nice andean villages that preserve intact their native culture, costumes and traditions. These are lands of kind, generous and hospitable people and the home territory of the majestic flying condors.

This is an excellent opportunity for a close encounter with the real andes life, the local people and wilderness

Day 1. Arequipa - Patapampa - Yanque

Early departure from Arequipa by bus up to Patapampa the highest point of the trip at 4837 m.a.s.l. where starts the first downhill heading to Chivay, good place for a break and lunch. In the afternoon the trip continues by the right side wing of the valley to Coporaque and further to the bridge over the Colca river to pass to the left side to Yanque, nice town to spend the night in the basic but delightful local lodge.

Day 2. Yanque - Ichupampa - Lari - Pinchollo

After breakfast a brief visit to the town and surroundings. The hot springs near the river are worth to spend a couple of hours having a hot shower and swimming. The ride continues along the right side of the valley to Ichupampa where is said to be thousands of hummingbirds around the Kantuta flowers during the blooming season, a unique nature's spectacle. The road heads through beautiful landscape up to Lari that is reached after a kind of demanding uphill. Lari is a good place to rest and refill supplies before the hardest section of the trip that begins with a nice downhill to the bridge Lari - Maca anf follows with a steep and hard uphill on the left side of the valley until meets the main road leading to Pinchollo. On the way some nice panoramic views of the valley are possible from landmarked observing spots. At Pinchollo spend the night in a local basic lodge.

Day 3. Pinchollo - Cruz del cóndor - Cabanaconde

After early breakfast, the ride is to go up to Cruz del Condor observing site, to watch right over our heads the amazing fly of several of the biggest birds on earth. An impressive experience. From here a nice downhill continues to Cabanaconde for a open half day to rest and stay overnight at a local lodge.

Day 4. Cabanaconde - Huambo - Pedregal

Last day of the Colca canyon trip. Very early departure by local bus (3:30am). After few hours bus ride at Huambo breakfast is available. The bus continues across the spectacular geography of the very dry and high andean desert down to Pedregal, the main settlement of the monumental Majes irrigation project. Overnight here in a local basic lodge.

Day 5. Pedregal - Toro Muerto - Corire

Early departure cycling across the farmlands of the Majes irrigation project up to its border with the neighbouring desert to find the beginning of the journey along the ancient road through the moon like landscape of this dry, arid and sandy region. An unforgettable experience. The cruise of the desert at 1,200 m.a.s.l. ends at the summit of the high slopes of the left side hills of the Majes valley. Here begins a winding downhill by this old road of which several sections are partially blocked by rocks and sand making the ride slow, trekking along few sections will be necessary. The trail meets the paved main road leading to Corire. On the way after a delicious fresh water shrimps based lunch at Punta Colorada we will take the detour to visit for few hours the impressive Toro Muerto petroglyphs site.

Arrive Corire late afternoon to rest and stay overnight in a local basic lodge.

Day 6: Corire - Camaná

This is the last and most intense day of the whole expedition. Early departure from Corire. Breakfast at Punta Colorada and cycling downhill along the valley side dirt road until it ends at Paican. From here follows a single-track down through the valley alternating ascends and descends, some sections narrow on the hillsides and others wide on the river shores. The river is crossed many times from one side to the other using either rustic crafted wooden bridges or just passing through shallow water or carrying the bike. This route leads through the lands of small rural settlements of fresh water shrimps fishermen down to Socso. This is the final spot of the road that leads cars from distant Camana. Here cycling continues mainly downhill by the dirt road passing by Sonay, Pisques, Characta, Pampata, San Gregorio and finally Camaná, where the tour ends. From Camaná is possible to take a bus to go to Arequipa, Nazca, Ica or Lima.