Strolls alongside llamas, encounters with alpaca herders in the Colca Valley, mountain hiking in the Andes Cordillera… Chivay captivates visitors with its simple, picturesque charm. Known for its hot springs and authentic markets, this town in Caylloma province in the Arequipa region is a premier thermal tourism destination. Located in southern Pérou, Chivay is also the starting point for an enjoyable trek through the renowned Colca Canyon, designated a UNESCO world geopark in 2019. Its natural, cultural and artisanal richness makes Chivay an unmissable destination for an authentic stay in Pérou.

History

Wonderfully nestled in the Colca Valley, the village of Chivay sits at 3,600 meters altitude. It is home to 5,000 residents who cultivated maize and potatoes during the Spanish conquest. The valley's agricultural terraces, covering 8,000 hectares, were constructed around the year 500 by the Collawas and Cabanas peoples.

Chivay is the first village on the route to Colca Canyon. The canyon itself, with a depth of 3,400 meters, is the world's second-longest canyon after Cotahuasi. Colca Canyon was discovered by two aviators, Robert Shippe and George Jonson, in 1920. This canyon remains one of Chivay's principal tourist attractions.

Chivay, Gateway to Colca Canyon

Displaying a succession of varied landscapes—lakes, waterfalls and infinite lagoons, interspersed with fantastically curved valleys—Colca Canyon has earned a strong reputation among travelers. The village of Chivay, situated at the entrance to the site, boasts the region's most significant hotel infrastructure. During your stay in Pérou to visit Colca Canyon, finding a charming hotel in Chivay will be effortless.

Two and three-star hotels offer quality services and comfortable accommodations.

Chivay and Its Thermal Springs

Chivay is the perfect place to rejuvenate and unwind in calm and tranquility. The Hot Springs or thermal baths of La Calera are located 4 km from the village. These thermal springs flow directly from Mount Cotallaulli. Naturally sulfurous, they are rich in iron, calcium and zinc. This high concentration of minerals and trace elements gives them proven medicinal properties against numerous ailments, including rheumatism and arthritis. The thermal waters help restore vitality, revitalizing muscles and strengthening skin cells. Casual visitors come for a wellness session to enjoy with a loved one, family or friends. The more devoted return regularly.

What to See / What to Do?

Trekking and Hiking in Colca Canyon

Chivay is the starting point for hikes to explore Colca Canyon, an area well-suited for adventure tourism: whitewater rafting, kayaking, trekking, climbing volcanic summits, scenic boating, and not to mention observing condors, the emblematic birds of prey of South America. The canyon stretches over a 100 km route. Along the way, the beauty of Andean landscapes will dazzle you. You'll traverse charming traditional villages. You can visit the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, renowned for the breeding of vicuñas, a camelid common to the region and a cousin of camels and llamas. You'll encounter surprising pre-Incan tombs along the path.

Cruz del Condor

Some 60 km west of Chivay, the Condor's Cross or Cruz del Condor is another must-see site in Colca Canyon. Situated at 3,300 meters altitude, this natural observatory is a strategic vantage point to appreciate the spectacular gorges and the flight of the majestic Andean condors, a mythical bird of the Incas. They are visible in the early morning hours as they soar with surprising agility, riding the ascending currents rising from the canyon, searching for their prey. Their soaring technique will help you understand why they were venerated by the Incas—they are believed to have embodied the god of air.

Church of Nuestra Señora de Asunción and the Market

Built on the town's main plaza, the Church of Nuestra Señora de Asunción merits a leisurely visit. Dedicated to Our Lady, this magnificent neoclassical structure reflects the influence of Catholicism introduced by Spanish conquistadors. The interior murals will leave you speechless. Be sure not to miss the local market, held regularly on this central plaza. It's the ideal place to discover the traditional clothing worn by women of the region.

Other tourist attractions worth seeing include the Incan Bridge and Chivay's Plaza de Armas. Also explore the typical villages in the surrounding area: Cabanaconde, Tapay, Yanque, Maca and Coporaque.

Climate

Due to the altitude, cold prevails for much of the year, and the sky remains perpetually clouded. The best time to visit Chivay is autumn, which runs from March through May. During this period, temperatures are very pleasant, reaching up to 19°C. For comparison, the average annual temperature hovers around 14.9°C. The worst months to avoid are June, July and August: this is the low season for tourism, with temperatures potentially dropping below 4°C. That said, humidity is not a concern: Chivay receives very low precipitation, averaging 256 mm annually.

The nearest airport is Arequipa's Rodriguez Ballon International Airport. Since Chivay is a Peruvian locality, you can only reach it by private vehicle or bus (no flights or trains). Approximately 166 km separate the Arequipa region from Chivay's town center.

Another option is to land at Inca Manco Cápac International Airport in Juliaca, an hour's drive from the city of Puno. By taking a bus or private vehicle, you'll arrive in Chivay after 5 hours of travel.

As Chivay is a small village, you'll have no difficulty visiting tourist sites on foot.

To explore surrounding sites (Cruz del Condor, Colca Canyon, etc.), buses and colectivos are the most common and practical modes of transport.

From Arequipa or Puno, you can arrange a private vehicle to reach Chivay or visit Lake Titicaca, accompanied by a tour guide.