Colca Valley

A living valley of pre-Inca terraces and colonial villages, best known as the gateway to Colca Canyon.

  • Address: Colca Valley, Caylloma Province, about 100 miles north of Arequipa city
  • District: Caylloma Province, Arequipa Region
  • Category: scenic region

Beyond the canyon and its condors, the Colca Valley is a destination in its own right: a broad, high-altitude valley terraced into the mountainsides by pre-Inca farmers and still worked today, dotted with small colonial towns founded in the 16th and 17th centuries. Chivay, the valley's main town and usual overnight base, has an 18th-century church and, just outside town, the La Calera hot springs, natural thermal pools fed by volcanic geothermal water. Further along the valley road, Yanque and Maca each center on their own baroque 18th-century church -- Maca's Santa Ana church, rebuilt after a 1979 earthquake, has a striking white facade and gilded interior. The valley is also home to the Collagua and Cabana peoples, whose distinct pre-Inca cultures shaped the terracing still in use today; in some villages, women still wear traditional embroidered clothing and hats specific to their community, a craft recognized as Peruvian Cultural Heritage in 2018. Most visitors see the valley as part of a trip built around Cruz del Condor and the canyon itself, but the villages, hot springs, and terraces are worth the extra time on their own.

Highlights

  • Pre-Inca and Inca agricultural terraces, still farmed today, running up the valley's slopes
  • Chivay, the valley's main town, with an 18th-century church and the nearby La Calera hot springs
  • Small colonial villages -- Yanque and Maca -- each with their own 18th-century baroque church
  • Traditional Collagua and Cabana weaving and dress, still worn in some villages
  • A slower-paced option for travelers who want to take their time in the valley

Ideal for

  • travelers spending a night or two in the valley rather than a single-day tour
  • those interested in living Andean culture and traditional textiles
  • anyone wanting to soak in hot springs after high-altitude hiking

Practical information

Hours
Open year-round; the valley sits at high altitude (Chivay is around 12,000 feet), so allow a day to acclimatize if arriving from sea level
Price
Free to explore the towns and terraces; the La Calera hot springs and some village churches charge a small entrance fee; a tourist ticket (boleto turistico del Colca) covering several villages and viewpoints is required for most visitors and is normally arranged as part of an organized tour
Good to know
Most visitors reach the valley via an organized tour or private transport from Arequipa, as public transport is limited and the road involves a high mountain pass. See our Colca Canyon & Cruz del Condor Tour for the standard way to visit the canyon and condor viewpoint from Arequipa.

Frequently asked questions

Is it free to explore the Colca Valley?

Exploring the towns and terraces themselves is free. The La Calera hot springs and some village churches charge a small fee, and most visitors also need a tourist ticket (boleto turistico del Colca) covering several villages and viewpoints, usually arranged as part of an organized tour.

How long should I spend in the Colca Valley?

While many visitors do a same-day tour focused on Cruz del Condor, spending a night or two lets you also enjoy Chivay's hot springs, the villages of Yanque and Maca, and the terraced landscape without rushing.

Do I need to worry about altitude here?

Yes -- Chivay sits around 12,000 feet, so it's worth allowing a day to acclimatize if you're arriving from sea level or straight from Arequipa.

What's the main town to stay in?

Chivay is the valley's usual overnight base, with an 18th-century church and the nearby La Calera hot springs.

Can I visit the Colca Valley independently, or do I need a tour?

Most visitors reach the valley via an organized tour or private transport, since public transport is limited and the mountain road involves a long, high-altitude drive.

What villages are worth stopping at besides Chivay?

Yanque and Maca each have their own 18th-century baroque church -- Maca's Santa Ana church, rebuilt after a 1979 earthquake, is particularly known for its white facade and gilded interior.