CRUZ DEL CONDOR - CABANACONDE

La Cruz Del Condor 3 650m altitude

Cruz del Condor viewpoint is the most famous and unique spot in all Peru to observe Condors gliding . This viewpoint is located in Colca Canyon, district of Cabanaconde, 5 hours by car, 200km, from the city of Arequipa.

Most visitors who come to Colca Canyon make a stop in Cruz del Condor, mainly to observe the Great Andean Condor and the magnificent view of the depth of one of the depeest Canyon of the world. The experience of the visitor is unique and you will always remenber the beautiful glide of Condors who are considered the largest flying bird in the world.

Cruz del Condor is from ancient times a sacred place where inhabitants of Colca make offerings to the Pachamama (mother earth) and only because of the prescense of Condors which they were considered as messangers of Gods in the Andes.

This website is been made to provide information of the viewpoint, so you can be conscious of your visit for the sake of Condors and the sacred place of Chacclla (true name of Cruz del Condor).

History

It is still believed that the Andean Condor is considered a god and a icon for the inhabitants of the Andes. Before the Spaniards arrival Chacclla (former name for Cruz del Condor) was frequently visited by locals to make an ofrend to the Pachamama.

The Spanish conquerors did all their best to erase from the minds of locals from all sacred santuaries by imposing strongly to convert them into catholic. The reason why there is a Cross in Chacclla is to show the power of the Catholicism and they named it Cruz del Condor.

Nowadays Cruz del Condor is still considered a magic place for locals and both religions are mixed when they make the ofrends in the presence of the Condors. Condors are still venerated at the viewpoint, but somehow the tradition has been damaged by growth of tourism in Colca Canyon.

It is fortunate that inhabitants of Colca Canyon do not carry out the famous and atrocious traditional party of Yawuar Fiesta , (where they tie a Condor on the back of a Bull), otherwise they would all have been exterminated such as many areas in Peru.

Tourism is something not old in Colca Canyon and it started in the 80's, there is not so much historical information about the specific viewpoint but it is obvious to realize that nowon this is the most visited spot in Colca Canyon and we must preserve and be concious of our visit by being responsabile visitors.

Andean Condor

Condors are gigantic birds that flies smothless thanks to the thermals. These gliders flies everyday at Cruz del Condor from 7am to 10am and come back to rest at 4pm.

The steep mountains and the good thermal winds is the perfect place to live for the Condors where they safely lay thier eggs and raise their chicks who after a year they will learn to glide. These scavengers can weight 10 to 15 kilos and eat only carcass. The wingspans of an adult condor reaches 3 meters 20 and they are consider the largest flying bird in the world.

Cruz del Condor shelters approx. 50 Condors which are all not seen together in one day. Populations of Condors is not exactly and it seems not beliebable that ammount. You can see everyday condors, sometimes more than 15 and sometimes less than 5, but it is definitetly the best place to observe them gliding. Condors can fly easily to the Coast when they search for food and stay there a few days and come back to mountains anytime.

The longevity of a Condor is a lot. They can live till 60 years or more. If you see an older white male it could be older than you. Males are distiguised by a white collar, a crest and white in the wings, while females have bold heads. Juvenile condors are confused with female in the first years and they start changing the colors of thier feather after 3 years.

You can learn more about condors here.

What is the Best Time to See Condors in Cruz del Condor

Condors are spotted all year long at Cruz del Condor viewpoint.

Dry season is the best time to observe them (March till December), but also during the raining season (Jan - March) you can see Condors flying.

From 7am to 10am in the morning Cruz del Condor is very crowded and chances to see them is high and espectacular.

From 2pm to 5pm in the afternoon is almost none of people, views are also beautiful and there is also good chances to see Condors. Probably this is the most responsible way to visit the viewpoint because it has a less impact. Learn more about visiting Cruz del Condor in the afternoon here

How to Visit Cruz del Condor

1. The most classic way to see Condors is by taking aclassic tour Colca from Arequipa. These Tours are arranged in Arequipa.

2. You can also take a Tourist bus at 3am from Arequipa and arrive on time to see Condor. See more info about bus to Cruz del Condor from Arequipa

3. The best alternative way to visit Cruz del Condor is by coming to the village of Cabanaconde.

4. Private Car or Rented from Arequipa.

Cruz Del Condor From Cabanaconde

Cabanaconde is the nearest village to reach Cruz del Condor. It is only 25 minutes by bus, 16 km on a pavement route. You have to stay a night in Cabanaconde and it will be easier to visit once you are in the village. See here the bus schedule to reach Cabanaconde from Arequipa.

Local Bus From Cabanaconde to Cruz del Condor

There is an early local bus at 7am Reyna that departs to Arequipa and it stops at the viewpoint at 7:30am. You catch this bus from the main square of Cabanaconde. Do not forget your entrance fee to Colca Canyon.
You can continue from the Cruz del Condor to Arequipa by taking the next bus which it is at 10am Andalucia or 12pm Milagros.

Kombi Tour Organized By Pachamamahome in Cabanaconde:

Pachamamahome offers a different way to visit Cruz del Condor from the village of Cabanaconde. Read more about the Kombi Tour to Cruz del Condor here.
You can also explore Cruz del Condor by bike.

Cruz Del Condor From Chivay

There are a few public buses from Chivay to Cruz del Condor. Most buses are found in the terminal terrestre of Chivay. To be on time at Cruz del Condor from Chivay take the first public bus 5am Reyna.
In case you miss the bus you can contact a taxy driver in Chivay that can take for 120 to 150 soles.

You can also join the tourist bus at 6am that comes from Arequipa. Read more about minivan from Chivay to Cruz del Condor.

Explore Cruz del Condor and Surroundings

Explore Cruz del Condor with a short walk

The viewpoint offers a well-made path to walk from one different viewpoint to other. You can start walking from Mirador del Cura which it is before the main viewpoint (5 minutes before to Cruz Del Condor). The trails takes you safely to Viewpoint of el Cura and you just continue on the safe path. The walk takes approx. 30 minutes and you can have a short brakes on way to the main viewpoint.
It is very important that you must stay on the trail or not explore out of the path since you may have a big chance to have an accident. PLEASE, do not pollute. Show us that you are a responsible Tourist and take all your trash to your van and leave them in Chivay.

The Viewpoint of Tapay 3 600m altitude

The best alternative viewpoint to see Condors is the viewpoint of Tapay. It is only 5km from Cruz del Condor. It offers a different view of Colca Canyon where you can have a great panoramic view of the depth of Colca and as well the villages such as Tapay, San Juan de Chuccho, Coshñirwa and Malata. You also have very good chances to spot Condors.

Visit the Village of Cabanaconde

One of the most traditional villages of Colca is Cabanaconde and it is only to 16km from the Viewpoint Cruz del Condor. You can visit a few viewpoints that offers great panoramic views of Colca Canyon. Cabanaconde is commom visit by hikers who wants to explore the depth of Colca Canyon, if you love trekking you must visit and stay a few days in Cabanaconde and Tapay distric.

You can just come to Cabanaconde and explore the viewpoint of Achachiwa. You can read more about Cabanaconde here

Explore the Geyser of Infiernillo

To explore this hidden Geyser you must stay a night in Cabanaconde or Pinchollo. This is one of the biggest Geyser found in Colca Canyon. The Geyser of Pinchollo is 9km from the main road, near the AutoColca checkpoint. There is a sign in the route that will lead you to the Geyser. The best way to explore is by a private car and it must be a 4x4. You can also do a half day which it takes 2hrs 30m to reach the Geyser. Ask more information at Pachamama Hostel in Cabanaconde.

The village of Pinchollo

This is village is the less visited by tourist in Colca Canyon, but it offers hidden places. Locals are not ready to host tourist, but you can already find a few hostels in town. You can do horseriding and explore the Geyser of infiernillo.

Entrance Fee Colca - Autocolca

In order to visit Cruz del Condor and Colca Canyon you must purchase the entrance fee ticket of Autocolca. These tickets are sold in Arequipa, Chivay or at the same Cruz del Condor. The price is 70 soles and it lasts 5 days. There are not any discounts for foreigner, only to peruvians and southamerican travellers. Keep the billet till you leave Colca Canyon, guards are always asking you for this tickets.

The money of the entrance fee tickets is administrate by Autocolca who are responsible of the area and decide how proyects will be excecuted in the tourismo of the province.

Important Recommendation to Visit Cruz del Condor

Please, follow these directions that will keep this place magic and safe Condor from massive visits. It is only us who disturbs the peacefull of the nature.

• Do not Pollute. Take your garbage with you.
• Do not Shout or make noise to disturb local wildlife.
• Do not explore in restricted areas.
• Do not pass over the protective walls or fences.
• Do not camp, totally forbidden!.
• Stay away from the edges and cliffs.
• Do not buy any Condor Feathers, they just incentivate locals to search for them.
• Do not take pictures to have your picture taken with a wild animal.
• If you come by AUTO, please slow down when driving.
• Turn off your car.