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All of our tours can be customized, or we can recommend an itinerary based on your interests, tell us what you are interested in and we will give you suggestions and options, and together we will work out a tour that suits your interests and abilities.

MULTI-DAY TOURS

Sipia Falls, Niño Hot Springs, Wari Ruins, Quechualla - 4 days, down canyon to 5,300 feet:

From Cotahuasi we will hike down canyon, visit 500-foot Sipia Falls, continue on through a giant cactus "forest" to Niño Hot Springs in Mayo, relax and camp there along the Cotahuasi River. On day 2 explore 1,000-year old Wari ruins (pre-Inca), see ancient trails clinging to the side of the canyon wall, have lunch in a family home in Quechualla, a village covered by vineyards, with mangos, bananas and avocadoes. Day 3 will be spent going to Hacienda Ushur, the deepest part of the canyon (a depth of 11,590 feet), exploring old ruins and trails, and then camp in the ruins or return to Niño Hot Springs to camp. On the way back to Cotahuasi on day 4, after a final soak at Niño, we will visit Velinga, another traditional village, and then, usually sharing the trail with an occasional group of pack burros, return to Cotahuasi for dinner. There is also an option of a 5th day, taking a side trip up a boulder filled canyon, scrambling around what seem like impassable waterfalls and boulders, past more ruins and then descending to Cotahuasi from above - a route option only for the more adventurous hikers!

Pampamarca, Huito Rock Forest, Uskuni Falls, Ccosla Hot Springs, Huaynacotas, Luicho Hot Springs, Alca - 5 days, up canyon to 14,500 feet:

First we drop down to the Cotahuasi River, crossing the highest suspension bridge on the river, then to Mungi, take the high route past ruins to Cochapampa and on to Pampamarca for dinner and the night. On day 2 we go up to the Huito Rock Forest and ruins, then down to Uskuni Falls and on to Ccosla Hot Springs, camping there for the night. Day 3 takes us up to Santa Rosa, over a mountain pass at 14,500 feet, and then down through Huaynacotas and on to Luicho Hot Springs and a fried trout dinner, spending the night at a riverside hostel. On day 4 we take a short hike to Alca, second largest village in La Union after Cotahuasi, and then the high route again through Ayahuasi, and on to the ruins above Cahuana, returning to Cahuana where we will spend the night. Day 5 is spent returning to Cotahuasi through the villages of Tomepampa, Achambi, Locrahuanca and over the top of Cerro (Mt.) Huinao for a bird's eye view of the whole area, before heading down for dinner. This route includes lots of climbing and descending, many traditional villages, terraced fields, old churches and ruins not normally seen, as well as two hot springs.

Luicho Hot Springs, Alca, Puica, Maukkallaccta Ruins, Homestay in Suni - 4 days, up canyon to 13,000 feet:

After a quick drop to the Cotahuasi River and back up, this tour starts out easy, following the northwest side of the river along the base of the mountain through Taurisma, Visbe and Luicho, then climbs up to Tauhuara with impressive views of ancient terraced fields, and down to the hot springs along the river. We will either camp there or go up to Huilillac, a nearby village. On day 2 we go up to Pettce and then across a canyon to Puica and on to Suni for a home stay with a local family. Day 3 is spent going up to the impressive Maukkallaccta ruins and then down to Luicho Hot Springs, a fresh trout dinner after which we will spend the night at a riverside hostel. Day 4 we return to Cotahuasi through the villages of Tomepampa, Achambi, Locrahuanca and over the top of Cerro (Mt.) Huinao for a bird's eye view of the whole area, before heading down for dinner.

Huarhua Salt Mines, High plains, Llacsa, Charcana, Niño Hot Springs, Sipia Falls - 4 or 5 days, up to 14,400 feet, then down canyon to 5,500 feet:

First we drop down to the Cotahuasi River, crossing the highest suspension bridge on the river, up an easy climb to Mungi and then a serious climb up to Huarhua, where we will see the nearby salt mines, and then go up above the village to camp. Day 2 will take us up to Llacsa on the high plain at about 14,400 feet, where we will see the current village as well as the old ruins, we will then traverse the high plains, with great views of Nevados Solimana and Coropuna, as well as other more distant mountains. This area is home to hardy families of llama and alpaca herders who have learned to survive in a very harsh climate. We will pass a number of lone houses and then drop down to Charcana where we will have the luxury of a quaint hostel with a flush toilet. On day 3 we will climb up to some natural rock formations and ancient cave paintings, said to date from 6,000 BC. After returning to Charcana for lunch, we will drop down to the Cotahuasi River and soak and relax at Niño Hot Springs, where we will camp along the river. Day 4 will be spent hiking the often cliff hugging trail back up to 500-foot Sipia Falls and then on to Cotahuasi in time for dinner. An optional trip for the 4th day would be to go down canyon to the 1,000-year old Wari ruins, on to the vineyard village of Quechualla for lunch and then back to Niño Hot Springs for a second evening. In this case we would visit Sipia Falls and return to Cotahuasi on Day 5.

Note: The high plains are cold and the lower canyon is hot so you need a full range of clothing. If you are not used to the high altitude, it works best to do this trip in reverse, which gives more time to acclimatize before the high elevation section.

Santa Rosa, Ccosla Hot Springs, Uskuni Falls, Pampamarca, Huito Rock Forest, High Plains, Mungi - 4 days, up to 14,000 feet:

Alca, Cahuana, Ruins, Hot Springs, Climb Nevado Firura - 4 days, up to 18,033 feet:

Please remember that all of the above tours can be customized in many ways - most can be shortened by 1 day by eliminating portions. They can be expanded by adding side trips to other places as well. However often it works best to make 2 separate tours if they go over 5 days. This allows for a resupply stop in Cotahuasi, a hot shower and more meal options. Also don't forget that you need to add 2 more days to get your total Adventure Cotahuasi Tour schedule and price, due to travel time from and back to Arequipa. Therefore a tour that has 4 days of trekking, is really a 6-day tour including transportation time to and from Cotahuasi. On the drive across the high plain we will see large herds of llamas and alpacas, great views of Solimana and Coropuna and a short hike to a lake at the base of Coropuna if desired.

VALLEY OF THE VOLCANOES - COLCA CANYON TOUR

This is a 3 or 4-day option from Cotahuasi to the Valley of the Volcanoes and Colca Canyon. It is normally done as an option for the return from Cotahuasi to Arequipa, but could be done as a separate trip as well. It is a custom trip, that can include as much hiking as you desire, or mainly sightseeing from the road if preferred. It passes through a valley of volcanic cones, high plains, a vicuña preserve and along the Colca Canyon from Chivay to Cabanaconde. Transportation is in our private van, meals are in restaurants and lodging in hostals. Special prices apply, please inquire for details and options.

MOUNTAIN CLIMBING PARTNER

Are you an experienced mountain climber who wants to come climbing in Peru but you don't have a climbing partner? Need transportation to various peaks and someone to help with logistics, but not a climbing guide? We can provide these services for you. We will meet you at the airport or bus terminal, arrange for lodging based on your desired comfort level (budget to luxurious), provide transportation to the mountains of your choice, and join you on the climbs. Special prices apply, please inquire for details and options.

DAY TRIPS

Portions of the above tours can be done as day trips, other parts make good 2-day trips, for example: