If you wanna know more about whether you can trek the Colca Canyon on a tight budget or not, this is the right article for you! Don’t forget to read our Ultimate Guide to Hike the Canyon.
Considering that we started our 2 days/1 night trip from Arequipa, over the length of the two full days we’ve spent a total of 381 soles (99€, 115$) which amounts to 95 soles pp/day.
ENTRANCE FEE (140 soles – 37%)
To access the area of the Colca Canyon foreigners have to pay a tourist ticket of 70 soles which is like a multi-day pass for the Colca National Park.The more days you spend in the park, the more you take advantage of the ticket price
TRANSPORT (91 soles – 24%)
The first day we opted in taking a tourist shuttle (so that we could also stop at Cruz del Condor) for 25 soles/pp instead of the cheaper local bus. On the way back, we saved a bit by going with the local bus and spent a total of 17 soles/each. Lastly, once at the Terminal Terrestre of Arequipa we had to take a taxi to the center for 7 soles to get back to the hostel.
FOOD (66 soles – 17%)
The majority of the food were snacks, sandwiches and sweets which we mostly bought the day before starting the trekking. The only proper full meal we had to buy during the trekking was in Sangalle at the Paraiso Ecolodge which served a tasty but expensive 20 soles menu per person. Other accommodations offered similar menus ranging from 15-20 soles.
ACCOMMODATION (50 soles – 13%)
The price range of accommodation varies a lot depending on what village you plan to spend the night. In Malata and San Juan double rooms were available at 20-30 soles but in Llahuar and Sangalle there was pretty much nothing below the 50 soles mark. In Sangalle, there beds in a dorm could be found at 15 soles but after a big of haggling we preferred to settle for a double room at the Ecolodge Paraiso for 50 soles, breakfast included (the initial price was 80 soles!). We also did see some people camping in both San Juan and Sangalle.
DRINKS (34 soles – 9%)
Thankfully, before leaving for the trek we were advised against buying anything more than necessary at Sangalle. All of the drinks we had were bought at the shops of small villages along the trek which had decent prices and made us save several soles. We also did indulge in gifting ourselves a couple of beers (1L bottle) but nothing exceeded the 7 soles bar.
BE AWARE: In Sangalle, drinks and snacks have prices inflated by at least 30%so you’re better off buying all that you might need at the mirador-shop before getting to Sangalle if you’re doing the classic route.
LOOKING BACK
If we had to do it again, this time we would probably opt for doing the Alternative “Short” Route rather than the Classic one since the way down is less demanding and less touristy. In terms of price, we would stay again at Paradiso Ecolodge cause it was really worth is to relax in the pool and have a comfy bed to chill for the morning hike of the next day. At last, on our second day we would probably try start the hike to the top slightly earlier to have more time to see better the town of Cabanaconde. Overall, we really enjoyed this relatively inexpensive hike and would do it again, should we have the chance.
PLANNING A TRIP TO PERU? CHECK MORE GUIDES BELOW!
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