Colca Canyon Rim Drive
Condor country above the world's deepest canyon
This high-altitude rim road follows the northern edge of Colca Canyon for 60 kilometers, where the Colca River has carved a chasm twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The route passes through stone villages like Yanque and Chivay that have been continuously inhabited since pre-Inca times, their ancient agricultural terraces still green with quinoa and potatoes. Cruz del Condor viewpoint at kilometer 45 is where Andean condors ride thermals up from the 10,000-foot-deep canyon floor, often close enough to photograph without a telephoto lens.
This is easy to moderate 4WD driving, but the altitude hits hard—you’re running between 11,500 and 12,500 feet the entire route. Stock high-clearance vehicles handle the gravel sections fine during dry season (April-October), but muddy conditions during rains can close sections. Fuel up in Chivay, carry extra water for altitude adjustment, and plan two days minimum to acclimatize. No permits required for the main route. What you get is access to one of Peru’s most spectacular geological features, plus condor viewing that rivals anywhere in South America.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 37 mi / 60 km |
| Duration | 2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 12467 ft |
| Best season | April-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Chivay, Arequipa |
| Land manager | INRENA Peru |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or Land Cruiser handle this without any mods?
Yes, a stock 4WD high-clearance vehicle is the minimum and handles the gravel rim road fine in dry conditions. Lifted rigs aren't required, but decent all-terrain tires are a serious advantage on the loose sections near the canyon edge.
Is the trail passable in November through March?
Not reliably. The rainy season (November–March) turns sections of the gravel road into slick, washout-prone mud and can make river crossings genuinely dangerous. Stick to April–October for a predictable run.
Do you need a permit to drive the Colca Canyon Rim?
Yes — the Colca Canyon area requires a tourist ticket (boleto turístico) managed by INRENA, currently around 70 soles per person. Buy it in Chivay before heading out; checkpoints on the route will ask for it.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it difficult?
The roughest stretch is the gravel descent toward the canyon-edge viewpoints, where the road narrows, the surface gets loose, and there's minimal room for error on the drop-off side. It's not technical rock-crawling, but a moment of inattention at altitude with thin air affecting judgment isn't something to brush off.
Where do you get water and fuel before starting — Chivay is the last real stop?
Yes, Chivay is your last reliable fuel and resupply point before the rim drive. Water sources along the route are not treated, so carry what you need from town; at 12,000+ feet, you'll drink more than you expect.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.