Colca Canyon With Kids: 3-Day Trek
Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world, and families often wonder whether the 3-day trek is safe or realistic with children. This overview covers the route, what to expect with kids, essential safety notes, and practical tips based on our own experience.
We thought we knew what we were getting into… until the 4 a.m. pickup hit. The kind of early start where you’re questioning your life choices while trying to get two half-asleep kids into a minibus. But we’d booked a 3-day Colca Canyon trek, and at that point we were committed. Nervous, excited, probably overconfident, but committed.
We chose the 3-day version because everyone said it was “the family-friendly one.” Slower days, shorter distances, more time to rest. Our kids are active, used to long walks, and always up for an adventure… at least after breakfast. So we figured: why not? How hard could it really be?
Turns out: hard. Beautiful, wild, surprising, emotional but definitely hard.
This guide is the version I wish existed before we went. No sugarcoating. No “you’ve got this!” motivational nonsense. Just real information for families who want to know:
Is Colca Canyon safe with kids?
How hard is the 3-day trek?
What does each day actually look like?
Where do you sleep? What do you eat?
What should you pack (and what did we regret)?
And honestly… is it worth it?
If you’re thinking about taking your kids into one of the deepest canyons in the world, this will tell you exactly what to expect, the good, the exhausting, the overpriced water, and the moments that made it unforgettable.
Colca Canyon Family Trek Essentials
Difficulty / The 3-day Colca Canyon trek is tough with kids but manageable if they’re active and used to long walks. Day 1 is a long downhill, Day 2 is mixed terrain, and Day 3 is a steep 1,000 m climb starting before sunrise. Kids usually bounce back quicker than parents, just be ready to carry extra water, snacks, and the occasional tired child.
Is It Safe With Kids? / Generally, yes, as long as you choose a guided trek and pace yourselves. Paths can be narrow, dusty, and exposed, so good shoes and constant supervision matter. We’d only recommend this for kids 6+, and honestly, it’s best for ages 8–12 who enjoy a challenge. Under 5s? We wouldn’t do it.
Tours to Book (What We Chose) / This 3-day small-group trek works best for families because the distances are split more evenly, and you’re not racing daylight. Private guides are also an option if you want more flexibility with breaks or pacing.
Food & Water / All canyon stays include simple meals (soup + rice/veg/meat). Breakfast is basic but filling. Bring plenty of snacks, you’ll get through more than you think, and buying anything in the canyon costs 3–4x normal prices. Carry more water than feels comfortable (electrolytes were a lifesaver).
What to Pack / Keep it ultra-light: trail shoes, sun protection, 1–2 outfits, a headlamp for the early climb, a small family first-aid kit, snacks, electrolyte packets, and cash for water. Backpacks need to be comfortable, you’ll carry more than your kids will.
Altitude / You sleep at the bottom (warm), but the rim sits around 3,300–3,600 m. Most kids coming from Arequipa acclimate fine. Expect shortness of breath on the climb out, it’s normal.
Is Colca Canyon Safe With Kids? (Straight Talk)
Short answer: yes, but only for the right ages, the right fitness levels, and the right expectations. Colca Canyon isn’t a gentle family stroll. It’s steep, exposed, dusty, hot, and remote. The paths are safe if you stay focused, pace yourselves, and hike with a guide who knows the terrain.
For most families, the trek is safest and most realistic for kids 6+, and honestly, the ideal age is 8–12, old enough to understand instructions, steady on their feet, and excited by the challenge. Kids under 5? We wouldn’t recommend it. The downhill alone would be a nightmare, and the early-morning climbs would push everyone past their limit.
The biggest risks aren’t dramatic, it’s the predictable stuff: loose gravel, long descents, intense heat, and limited shade for big stretches. Add a child who suddenly refuses to walk or needs carrying, and the day can get long quickly. That’s why this 3-day trek is far better than the 2-day for families. The pace is slower, distances are more manageable, and you’re not racing daylight.
A guide makes everything safer: they set a sustainable pace, know the shady spots to rest, spot unstable sections, find and grab cactus fruit and keep everyone on track when the trail branches. Ours was calm, patient, and brilliant with the kids, exactly what you want in that environment.
Family Tip: Don’t rely on buying water on the trail. It’s expensive and heavy. Start with more than feels comfortable, you’ll use it. Then obviously you’ll have to buy.
What to Expect on a 3-Day Colca Canyon Trek With Kids
Here’s the part no tour brochure will admit: a 3-day Colca Canyon trek with kids is equal parts beautiful and brutal, and it swings between the two faster than your legs can keep up.
You’ll start early, painfully early. Think 4 a.m. minibus pickups, half-awake children wrapped in hoodies, and that weird pre-sunrise cold that hits harder at altitude. The road winds through the mountains for hours, and by the time you reach the viewpoints, everyone’s confused, hungry, and suddenly wide-eyed because the canyon is huge. You’ll stop at the miradores and, if you’re lucky, spot condors gliding right over your head. We saw three, each at a different viewpoint, the kids lost their minds in the best way.
The trek itself is a mix of extremes: very hot sun, limited shade, steep descents, and long sections that feel endless. The climbs? They’re real. They’re sweaty. They’re the kind you don’t forget.
Accommodation is rustic, simple rooms, thin mattresses, basic showers, early dinners. Food is straightforward: soup, rice, vegetables, basic protein. Kids adapt quickly. Adults grumble a bit, then get over it.
What might surprise you is how fast children recover compared to adults. They bounce. You limp. They snack. You question your choices. They’re excited. You’re carrying half their stuff.
It’s an emotional loop: excitement → fatigue → unfair levels of child energy → pride → collapse → repeat.
And honestly? That’s what makes it unforgettable.
Day 1: The Hardest Day (4 a.m. Pickup → Long Downhill)
The day starts in the dark, literally. A 4 a.m. pickup outside your hotel, two half-asleep kids, backpacks that already feel heavier than they should, and that sinking “we really signed up for this” moment. The minibus winds out of Arequipa for three to four hours, climbing through the mountains while everyone slowly wakes up, eats a makeshift breakfast, and tries to get comfortable on seats that weren’t designed for comfort.
You’ll stop in Chivay for breakfast, then hit the iconic Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint. This part is magical. Massive cliffs, that early-morning cold, and condors gliding across the sky like they own the place. We saw three, all at different moments, and each time Atty and Aurie went full National Geographic narrator. It was a good morale boost before the real work started.
Eventually, you’re dropped at the trailhead where you meet your guide. Ours was an older local man, completely unbothered by the heat or the terrain, slow, steady, patient, and brilliant with the kids. We grabbed extra snacks and drinks (all wildly overpriced), took a deep breath, and began the descent.
And the descent does not end. It’s hours of downhill, steep, dusty, rocky, relentless. The final push into the first village hits hard: a short but sharp uphill climb right when your legs are already shaking. The kids surprised us. They just kept going. Meanwhile, my knees were plotting their own escape.
Arriving at the first accommodation felt like reaching a tiny, sun-drenched finish line. Rustic rooms. A simple but satisfying lunch. A couple of hours of rest before a 7 p.m. dinner. Then bed, early, heavy, and absolutely earned.
Day 1 takeaways:
This day humbles you. It’s stunning, exhausting, and a genuine test for everyone, but making it down together sets the tone for the entire trek.
Day 2: Shorter + Sweeter (Easier Hiking + Oasis Stay)
Waking up on Day 2 feels strange, your legs are tired, your back’s a bit stiff, and everyone moves slower than usual… but the panic from Day 1 has faded. Breakfast is simple (bread, eggs, fruit), bags get packed, snacks get divided, and you set off again. Compared to the brutality of Day 1, this stretch is almost gentle.
The route starts smooth: rolling paths, canyon views, a breeze that feels like someone upstairs finally turned the temperature dial down. The kids eased into it straight away. I did not, my ankle was nagging and the dust made every step feel heavier. But it’s manageable. Even enjoyable.
Then comes that hill, a steep, 15-30-minute climb that appears out of nowhere and punches your legs right in the soul. It’s sharp, sweaty, and deceptively long and what makes it worse is the full sun is out by then. But once you’re over the top, the rest of the day is all downhill or flat. Spirits lift. Conversations return. The kids start playing I-Spy with mountains. You realise you’re actually doing this.
And then you see it: the oasis. Palm trees, bright blue pool, colourful gardens, it looks completely out of place, like someone copy-pasted a holiday resort into the middle of a canyon. The Kids practically ran the final stretch just to jump straight into the pool. We followed, after pretending for five minutes that we were “just going to put our feet in.”
Lunch and dinner were the same simple almuerso-style meals, soup, rice, veg, maybe chicken. Nothing fancy, but exactly what you need after hours of sweating in the sun. The accommodation was rustic again, but the vibe made up for everything. Everyone sleeps better here.
Why Day 2 matters:
It rebuilds confidence. It reminds you that not every part of the Colca Canyon trek is pain. It gives kids the win they need before Day 3… which is a beast.
Day 3: The Big Climb (1,000m Up at 4 a.m.)
Day 3 starts earlier than any human should be awake. It’s 4 a.m., pitch black, and cold in a way that makes you question all of your life choices. Everyone moves silently, headlamps on, bags packed, kids half-asleep but weirdly calm. Then the guide gives a simple “vámonos,” and that’s it. You begin climbing straight into the darkness.
There’s no warm-up. No gentle incline. The trail goes up immediately and doesn’t stop. Switchbacks, dust, loose gravel, steep stretches where your calves burn before the sun even rises. The air thins as you gain altitude, and you can feel every metre of it. Adults puff. Kids bounce. Somehow.
Our kids shocked everyone. They paced themselves, stopped when needed, kept going when it mattered, and even overtook adults who were struggling. Every time they took a few steps ahead, the guide gave them a quiet nod, the kind that says “you’ve got this” without saying a word.
The climb takes around three hours (The guide gve us 4 but was suprised we did it in 3), but it exists outside normal time. It’s just you, your breath, and that tiny cone of light from your headlamp. When the sun finally appears and the rim comes into view, it feels unreal, a mix of pride, relief, and “please let this be the top.”
At the final viewpoint, people were genuinely clapping for the kids. And honestly? They deserved it.
We thought that was the end, but the trek wasn’t finished. Hunger does funny things, so we pushed straight on to the breakfast stop which was great, we had plenty of bread, eggs, then jam and butter and a fruit smoothie…me and Tania was desperate for our mornig coffee by then,
Then came the part we didn’t love: the extra stops. Hot springs (optional but paid tbh was relaxing), a restaurant lunch that felt way overpriced at S/45 per person, and a string of tourist-focused stops that dragged out the journey home. At that point, all four of us just wanted a bed and silence.
But still, Day 3 is the moment the trek becomes a core memory. It’s brutal, beautiful, sweaty, emotional. And standing at the top of that canyon together feels like something you’ll talk about for years.
Is the Colca Canyon Trek Hard With Kids?
Yes, the Colca Canyon trek is hard with kids, especially on the 3-day route. Not impossible, not unsafe (for the right ages), but definitely a challenge you feel in your legs, lungs, and morale, whilst having to constantly parent and be on mental guard they dont walk of the cliff.
Day 1 is a long, relentless downhill that hits your knees more than your fitness. Day 3 is a steep 1,000m climb before sunrise that tests every part of you, mentally and physically.
Kids, weirdly, often cope better. They recover faster, they don’t overthink every step, and they’re not carrying half the snacks or everyone’s water. The parts adults struggle with, heavy legs, heat, aching joints, kids just seem to breeze past after a few minutes’ rest.
Parents, on the other hand, juggle the extras:
carrying extra water
carrying snacks (and leftovers of snacks)
managing moods
monitoring pace
keeping kids close on narrow sections
dealing with heat fatigue
dealing with your own heat fatigue
The difficulty isn’t just the terrain, it’s the combination of distance, heat, early mornings, and kid-management on top of it all.
But here’s the truth:
If your child can handle:
4–6 hours of walking a day
uneven, dusty terrain
carrying a small backpack
heat + sun exposure
…they will be absolutely fine.
Most families who struggle do so because the adults underestimate the hills, not because the kids can’t hack it.
The Accommodation (Rustic but Fine)
Accommodation inside Colca Canyon is basic, and it’s better to know that upfront so expectations stay realistic. Think simple rooms, thin mattresses, cold showers (or bucket showers), and very limited electricity. No luxuries, no Wi-Fi, limited hot water, just the essentials.
For kids? It didn’t bother them at all. They were too busy exploring, eating, or trying to spot chickens wandering around the courtyards. For adults, if you’re not used to this it could be a slight adjustment, but after hours of hiking, even a basic bed feels like a small miracle.
The real highlight comes on Day 2, when many of the “oasis” lodges have a pool. After hours of sweating down the canyon, jumping into cool water surrounded by palm trees hits harder than any luxury hotel. It’s the moment everyone forgets about their aching legs.
Family reality:
Kids didn’t care about cold showers or simple rooms. We cared a tiny bit… but honestly, the setting, the views, and the tiredness cancel out the complaints.
Rustic? Yes.
Fine for a couple of nights? Absolutely.
Packing List for Families (What You Actually Need)
Packing for Colca Canyon with kids is all about going lighter than feels comfortable, because whatever you pack, you’ll be carrying and eventually, you’ll be carrying some of your kids’ stuff too. The canyon heat, the long downhill, and the final climb all punish overpacking.
Here’s what we actually used and were glad we brought:
Clothes (Ultra-Light)
1–2 outfits per person
A lightweight jumper or fleece
Breathable hiking clothes
Spare socks (trust me, bring extra socks)
Footwear
Trail shoes or sturdy trainers
No sandals, no Crocs, no flip-flops — the gravel will destroy you
Water & Hydration
2L water per person to start
Collapsible bottles help with weight
Snacks
High-calorie, easy-to-carry things:
cereal bars
nuts
dried fruit
salty snacks for the heat
Your kids will eat twice as much as you expect.
Sun Protection
Hats
Sunglasses
High SPF sunscreen
Light long sleeves for sun exposure
Night + Early Morning Gear
Headlamps (Day 3 starts in total darkness)
A warm layer for 4 a.m. starts
Health + Comfort
Small family first-aid kit
Blister plasters
Ankle support if anyone’s prone to rolling
Basic pain relief
Money
Cash for water + snacks inside the canyon (everything is overpriced but understandable)
Backpacks
Comfortable daypacks with hip straps
Kids carry their own tiny bags, but expect to take over by midday
What NOT to Bring
Heavy jackets
Bulky electronics
Extra shoes
Anything “just in case”
Light packs = happier kids + happier parents + fewer regrets.
Should You Do a Colca Canyon Trek With Kids? (Our Honest Answer)
The honest answer? It depends on your kids, and it depends on you.
If your kids are under 5, this trek is a no, the terrain, heat, and distances are simply too demanding. For ages 6–8, the 3-day version is doable, but only if they’re active and used to longer walks. The sweet spot is 9–12. They’re strong enough, curious enough, and old enough to understand the challenge. Teens will absolutely fly up and down the canyon.
But a big part of this comes down to the adults. If you or your kids struggle with:
heat
early mornings
steep descents
altitude
carrying extra weight
…then the trek will feel harder than it should.
If anyone has weak knees, ankles, or mobility issues, this isn’t the place to test them. And if you hate early mornings? Well… Day 3 starts in the dark at 4 a.m., so that’s something to consider.
But here’s the flip side:
If your family loves adventure… if you enjoy a good physical challenge… if your kids light up when they’re outdoors… if you want a shared experience that feels bigger than just a hike…
then the Colca Canyon 3-day trek might become the story you tell for years.
It’s tough, sweaty, emotional, and incredibly rewarding. Not perfect, not easy, but unforgettable.
Final Verdict
By the time we reached the top of Colca Canyon, we were exhausted in that full-body way you only feel after doing something hard, messy, and strangely meaningful. The kids were buzzing, proud of themselves in a way you can’t teach, the kind of confidence that only comes from doing something big with their own legs.
For us, it was easily the toughest thing we did in Peru. Harder than we expected, hotter than we imagined, and more emotional than we’d prepared for. But it was also one of the most rewarding experiences of our entire trip.
The kids proved something to themselves.
We proved something as a family.
And those moments, the tiny breaks, the “you’ve got this,” the early-morning climb in the dark, stitched together into a memory that feels bigger than the trek itself.
Would we do it again?
Yes, but smarter.
Lighter backpacks, more electrolytes, fewer snacks-that-melt, and a much clearer understanding of what’s coming.
Colca Canyon isn’t a casual family activity. It’s a challenge, a real one.
But if you’re ready for it, it becomes one of those core memories you carry far beyond Peru.
Sweaty, chaotic, unforgettable.
FAQ - Colca Canyon With Kids
Is Colca Canyon safe for kids?
Yes, Colca Canyon is generally safe for kids 6 and older, as long as you hike with a guide and keep a steady pace. Trails can be steep, dusty, and exposed, so constant supervision matters. Children under 5 usually struggle with the heat, long descents, and early-morning climbs, so this age group isn’t recommended.
How hard is the Colca Canyon trek for families?
The Colca Canyon trek is challenging, especially on the 3-day route. Day 1 includes a long, steep descent that tires knees quickly, and Day 3 is a demanding 1,000m ascent starting at 4 a.m. Kids often cope surprisingly well, but adults usually feel the strain more due to carrying extra water and gear.
How many days do you need for Colca Canyon with kids?
Most families need 3 days to trek Colca Canyon comfortably. The 3-day route spreads the distance out, includes more rest time, and avoids the rushed pace of the 2-day trek. Families who choose the 2-day version often find it too intense for children.
Is Colca Canyon worth visiting with kids?
Yes, Colca Canyon is one of Peru’s most memorable landscapes and offers families a mix of adventure, wildlife, and dramatic scenery. Kids usually love the condors, the small villages, and the sense of achievement from hiking. If your family enjoys nature and active travel, it’s absolutely worth it.
Can you hike Colca Canyon without a guide?
Yes, it’s possible to hike Colca Canyon without a guide, but it’s not recommended for families. Trails branch, distances are long, and the heat can escalate quickly. A guide ensures safe pacing, proper breaks, and reliable navigation, all essential when trekking with kids.
Do kids need to be fit to hike Colca Canyon?
Kids don’t need to be athletes, but they should handle 4–6 hours of walking, uneven terrain, and warm temperatures. Basic fitness and a positive attitude are usually enough. If your child enjoys walking, exploring, and outdoor activities, they’ll likely do well.
How much water should you bring for the Colca Canyon trek?
Start Day 1 with at least 2 litres of water per person. You can buy water inside the canyon, but it costs 3–4x more than normal. Electrolytes are essential for managing heat and helping kids recover after long stretches of hiking.
Is the 2-day or 3-day Colca Canyon trek better for families?
The 3-day trek is far better for families, it breaks the distance into manageable sections, allows more rest, and removes the rush. The 2-day trek is physically demanding, fast-paced, and usually too intense for children. Most family-friendly tours use the 3-day route for a reason.
What age is best for hiking Colca Canyon with kids?
Ages 8–12 are ideal for hiking Colca Canyon, kids are strong enough, confident enough, and usually excited by the challenge. Teens handle it very well. Children under 5 should skip the trek entirely due to the heat, distance, and steep terrain.
Where do you stay during the Colca Canyon trek?
During the Colca Canyon trek, families stay in simple local lodges inside the canyon. Rooms are basic, showers are often cold, and electricity is limited. Many Day-2 “oasis” lodges have pools, which kids absolutely love after long hours of hikin
