Foreign adults pay S/ 70 in cash for the mandatory Tourist Ticket. The main checkpoint in Chivay processes entries daily from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Ticket control at the Chivay entrance operates daily from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The Arequipa tourist office handles inquiries strictly on weekdays between 8:00 AM and 3:45 PM. Heavy downpours from December through March frequently trigger sudden road closures.
| Day | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Sunday | 05:00–18:00 | Chivay Ticket Control |
| Monday–Friday | 08:00–15:45 | Arequipa Tourist Information Office |
| Saturday–Sunday | Closed | Arequipa Tourist Information Office |
The canyon lacks official holiday closures, but the December to March rainy season acts as a de facto seasonal shutdown. Heavy rains combine with volcanic ash and debris to clog rivers, severing access routes. Monitor local forecasts in Arequipa before attempting the drive.
The Boleto Turístico Colca costs S/ 70.00 (about USD 19.00) for foreign adults outside Latin America. Latin American citizens pay S/ 40.00, and children aged 6 to 15 pay S/ 20.00. Checkpoints and ticket offices in Chivay accept only cash in Peruvian Soles, and losing your physical ticket means paying the fee again.
No regular free entry days.
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View All ToursVisit between April and August during the dry season for clear trails and reliable Andean condor sightings. Heavy rains from December to March trigger flash floods and clog rivers with volcanic ash. Expect peak crowds gathering at the Mirador Cruz del Condor between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM as thermal drifts lift the birds up the gorge.
Visits range from a 1-day highlight tour to a 3-to-4-day independent trekking itinerary. The most popular choice is a 2-day standard tour, balancing transit from Arequipa with overnight acclimatization before hiking down the 4,160-meter gorge. Heavy rains between December and March trigger mudslides that block paths, frequently forcing sudden route changes or extending your time on the trail.
Pay the S/ 70 entrance fee using physical Peruvian Soles at the Chivay checkpoint. Credit cards fail here. Withdraw all the money you need in Arequipa before departing, as ATMs do not exist inside the valley.
Keep your paper Boleto Turístico dry and accessible throughout the trek. Park officials inspect these slips at random trail checkpoints. Losing yours forces an immediate S/ 70 replacement fee.
Arrive at Mirador Cruz del Condor between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Morning sun warms the 4,160-meter gorge, generating the thermal drafts these birds need to fly. Sightings drop off sharply once the air cools.
Wear a sun hat and high-SPF lotion during the exposed, shadeless daytime hikes. Pack a thermal coat and a battery-powered headlamp for the night. Deep canyon hostels run on limited solar power and go dark early.
Cut your toenails short before starting the descent from Cabanaconde. The trail drops sharply over loose gravel and volcanic dust. Long nails will repeatedly strike the front of your boots, causing severe bruising by the time you reach the canyon floor.
The Boleto Turístico Colca costs S/ 70.00 (USD 19.00) for non-Latin American adults. Latin American adults pay S/ 40.00, while foreign children aged 6 to 15 cost S/ 20.00. Kids under 5 enter for free.
Checkpoints and ticket offices accept only cash in Peruvian Soles (PEN). Credit cards fail at these rural gates. Withdraw cash in Arequipa before your trip, as ATMs do not exist inside the canyon.
The Ticket Control office in Chivay operates daily from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM. You can also purchase entry at the Tourist Information Office in Arequipa. That location opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:45 PM.
No special trekking permits exist beyond the standard Boleto Turístico Colca. You must present this physical ticket alongside your passport at various trail checkpoints. Keep the paper dry and secure, as losing it forces you to pay the S/ 70 fee a second time.
The dry season from May to November provides clear trails and reliable Andean condor sightings. December through March brings heavy rain that turns steep gravel paths into dangerous mud. Flash floods during these wet months can clog rivers with volcanic debris and close access roads.
Mules and donkeys are available for hire in Cabanaconde to carry hikers out of the canyon. A local bus also departs from the dirt road near Llahuar around midday. This ride costs S/ 10 and returns directly to Cabanaconde.
Entrance fees for the natural thermal pools range from 1 to 15 soles. Facilities like La Calera and Chacapi feature volcanic mineral waters heated between 36°C and 50°C. Hand your cash directly to the attendant at the pool gates.
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