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Transfer to the Colca Valley
Departure from Puno is between 06:00 and 06:30 as you begin the drive toward Chivay Village. The journey takes around five hours with several stops for photographs along the way. The first stop is Lagunillas, where you may see flamingos, Andean ducks, and other bird species. The route also offers views of South American camelids and wide stretches of Andean landscapes. Continuing, you will pass through Tocra, a high plain at over 4,500 meters, where lakes attract migrant birds and the surrounding altiplano is home to llamas and guanacos. The highest point of the trip is Pata Pampa, at 4,820 meters, where the volcanoes Ampato, Sabancaya, Hualca-Hualca, Mismi, and the Cordillera de Chila can be seen on clear days. Arriving in Chivay, the starting point of the Colca Valley, you will notice the traditional terrace systems that shape the landscape, a legacy of the region’s early inhabitants. Chivay itself reflects Spanish influence in its church and colonial buildings. A traditional lunch is available in town (not included) before hotel check-in. In the afternoon you can explore Chivay at your own pace or visit the nearby hot springs at La Calera, where thermal baths reach around 38°C (98°F).