Condor's Cross
Condor's Cross
4.5
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4.5
443 reviews
Excellent
275
Very good
112
Average
45
Poor
7
Terrible
4
Jorit N
West Melton, New Zealand109 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
This is an amazing place to visit. Plan in for some extra time, and avoid a hectic day tour from Arequipa if you can, to stay at Cruz del Condor as long as you like. In the morning once the thermals are kicking in is best for visiting. We were lucky that one macho Condor sat down next to the road for us. Lots of small walks to enjoy the place as well.
Written 21 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johann&Sandra
8,264 contributions
Sept 2011 • Couples
Condor's Cross is located about 20 minutes by bus outside of Cabanaconde on the road toward Chivay. It is a viewpoint accessible from the road, easily identifiable by the big cross. From here, between about 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM, depending on the time of year and the weather, you are pretty much guaranteed to see Andean Condors flying over Colca Canyon. You are also pretty much guaranteed to see hordes of other tourists flowing out of tour buses to do the same thing.
Walk down from the main viewpoint to get different vantage points at different lookouts, and then continue along the trail that runs along the lip of the canyon for some dramatic views. The trail is rarely hiked by tourists, but it only takes about 20-30 minutes and you get some great looks at the canyon. There are a few points you can head back out to the road from to meet your ride.
Condor's Cross is of course a must-do, despite the hordes, because it's the one spot where they seem to see condors each and every day. Yes, you can see condors from the other viewpoints as well, but this one is easily accessible and you get to see the massive birds. Bring your binoculars and telefoto lens, but sometimes they fly right by you, so keep your eyes peeled. Don't give up too easy - we had a long break between sightings, so we decided to hike off down the trail, and then we looked back and right where we'd been sitting were about six condors circling right there!
Walk down from the main viewpoint to get different vantage points at different lookouts, and then continue along the trail that runs along the lip of the canyon for some dramatic views. The trail is rarely hiked by tourists, but it only takes about 20-30 minutes and you get some great looks at the canyon. There are a few points you can head back out to the road from to meet your ride.
Condor's Cross is of course a must-do, despite the hordes, because it's the one spot where they seem to see condors each and every day. Yes, you can see condors from the other viewpoints as well, but this one is easily accessible and you get to see the massive birds. Bring your binoculars and telefoto lens, but sometimes they fly right by you, so keep your eyes peeled. Don't give up too easy - we had a long break between sightings, so we decided to hike off down the trail, and then we looked back and right where we'd been sitting were about six condors circling right there!
Written 8 October 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tezzzka
George Town, Grand Cayman549 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
I was a little bit sceptical about watching the condors but it was an amazing show and one of the best parts of our trip. When we arrived there was only one condor sitting but after a while there were at least 8 condors gliding everywhere around us! They were just enjoying themselves, gliding and for me it was an unforgettable experience! Some tours arrive very early that they can watch the condors before everyone gets there but it is actually much better to arrive after 8am because that is the time they start gliding. Of course, there is more people there but at least you will see something!
Written 4 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
T&G
brighton115 contributions
Jan 2022
Just a tourist trap!!
You have to pay 70 PES about 18US$ (cash only and you can imagine why) to arrive at this point. It is crowded and only few people are wearing protective facial masks against all rules and regulations. Just a Covid spreading spot. Condors are smart enough not to show themselves.!!
You have to pay 70 PES about 18US$ (cash only and you can imagine why) to arrive at this point. It is crowded and only few people are wearing protective facial masks against all rules and regulations. Just a Covid spreading spot. Condors are smart enough not to show themselves.!!
Written 2 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marianne S
Cuenca, Ecuador126 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
If you don't mind paying a premium to stand around in the hot, dry sun to see a very deep narrow canyon with a bunch of people pushing and shoving for a proper vantage point to see a few condors, then go to Condor's Cross. Granted, I got lucky this day; as I was sitting in the shade a large dark condor decided to fly overhead, within 7 feet, between me and the larger crowd. A few more condors come with 100 yards of my vista, and that made the trip worthwhile.
Granted, I have been to Waimea Canyon, which was spectacular with color and flora and much better organized for viewing, so take this review into consideration. Additionally, I spent time in Colca Valley, was not a day-tripper, so I got to appreciate the natural environment of Yanque, hiked, saw black eagles, and enjoyed the hot springs in Tambo.
My advice would be to do the same...stay for a day or two, don't just spend your money doing a quickie tour here.
Granted, I have been to Waimea Canyon, which was spectacular with color and flora and much better organized for viewing, so take this review into consideration. Additionally, I spent time in Colca Valley, was not a day-tripper, so I got to appreciate the natural environment of Yanque, hiked, saw black eagles, and enjoyed the hot springs in Tambo.
My advice would be to do the same...stay for a day or two, don't just spend your money doing a quickie tour here.
Written 24 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dev45
Newcastle, Australia177 contributions
Sept 2014 • Couples
As someone else has said getting into the canyon is expensive and it takes a fair chunk of time. We did see condors at the condor lookout spot but I was a bit underwhelmed, especially when I found out later that they put carcasses under this spot to ensure the birds return. We did not take a tour, but took the tourist bus into the canyon. When we go there we did not feel like going into the canyon so we just looked down at it from some viewpoints and left the next day, feeling like we had wasted money and precious time. I would not recommend the canyon, I was expecting something like a very large grand canyon, but it just looked like a deep valley, and was not very exciting. Maybe it is better if you do walk down into the canyon.
Written 1 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucy B
London, UK8 contributions
Dec 2014 • Friends
We went to Arequipa intending to take a tour to the Colca Canyon. All the tours are identical, apart from Colca Treks (who were very expensive!). To enter the canyon you have to pay an entrance fee no matter who you go with, which makes it very expensive compared to other trips. Beautiful sights and we saw lots of Condors, but I'd probably recommend a DIY tour staying somewhere in the canyon if you have time.
The thermal baths weren't really worth a trip, and if you take a tour then watch out as they take you to a pricey buffet meal with no options to go elsewhere (take a picnic if on a budget!).
The thermal baths weren't really worth a trip, and if you take a tour then watch out as they take you to a pricey buffet meal with no options to go elsewhere (take a picnic if on a budget!).
Written 9 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
azen11
Toronto, Canada73 contributions
Jul 2012 • Family
Amazing viewpoint of the Colca Canyon. The condors loved the crowd. We saw 14 of them at one point in the sky and quite close to us. There is short trekk between this viewpoint and the Mirador del Cura. If you can do it, you will see more condors with no crowd.
Written 12 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
3drules
Portland, OR26 contributions
Apr 2012 • Couples
There are some trails along the rim that start here and you can walk around. The scenery is breathtaking. The best time to see condors is when it is warm enough for there to be some thermals in the canyon - if anyone says 8am-10am and they haven't checked the weather, don't believe them. The day we went it was very cloudy in the morning and the condors stayed home until noon when it got warm. Then we saw 8 of them.
Written 18 May 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Wandering Reviewer
Melbourne, Australia12,190 contributions
Dec 2017 • Friends
Although we were dropped off at a location about 45 minutes stroll away, we could see this cross and knew this was where we needed to head.
It was a lovely walk and a great achievement to end up here where so many other tourists gather.
There is something magical about this place, even though the condors don't always hang out to please the tourists.
You can get food and refreshments here and many buses also park here.
Wheelchair friendly. Kid friendly. Good parking.
It was a lovely walk and a great achievement to end up here where so many other tourists gather.
There is something magical about this place, even though the condors don't always hang out to please the tourists.
You can get food and refreshments here and many buses also park here.
Wheelchair friendly. Kid friendly. Good parking.
Written 12 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a good hike from this point
Written 2 August 2022
No hike - but there is a path along the edge which takes you away from the crowds and a bit later when the condors are higher you get good and silent views of them. Can hear them glide closely overhead. At the main viewpoint quite noisy from 830 onwards.
Written 3 August 2022
Hallo, wij willen met eigen vervoer de colca canyon gaan bezoeken. Weet iemand of we de huurtauto ergens in/bij Cabanaconde kunnen parkeren als wij die dag gaan wandelen?
Alvast bedankt!
Written 10 March 2019
Quiero ir al colca a ver el vuelo del cóndor, hay alguna forma de llegar sin caminar mucho o como es? No me quiero perder esa experiencia pero se me dificulta un poco. Gracias
Written 26 June 2017
hola puedes ir en movilidad hasta el misml mirador, no tienes que caminar si no lo deseas.
Written 9 September 2017
Ciao a tutti,
sto progettando un viaggio in Perù con il mio ragazzo e vorremmo trascorrere 2 giorni nel Colca Canyon. L'idea è di fare Arequipa - Chivay - Cobanaconde - Puno, passando dai vari paesi proposti dai vari tour.
Non abbiamo però trovato un tour che ci soddisfa e quindi stiamo pensando di fare senza guida.
E qui la mia domanda: ci sono dei bus che seguono più o meno i percorsi proposti dai tour che ci portano da Arequipa a Cobanaconde in un giorno passando da Chivay?
Perché ho trovato una proposta interessante per il ritorno da Cobanaconde a Puno, ma purtroppo non riesco a trovare nulla per l'andata, se non bus che arrivano già alle 10 di mattina a Cobanaconde, perdendo però le varie tappe in mezzo...
Grazie, saluti
Céline
Written 25 July 2016
We did take the regular bus from Arequipa to Cabanaconde. Cheap but not very comfortable. Stayed in Cabanaconde over night and the next day early went to see the condors. It is 10 min by car from Cabanaconde to the Mirador. And the best about staying in Cabanaconde is that you get there before the crowds that start arriving around 7:30 in the morning. Our arrangement was to go to Puno after Cabanaconde. We took a small bus from the mirador (prearranged) to Chivay and from Chivay (noon time) we took another very comfortable bus (full only with tourists)all the way to Puno (arrived in Puno 9 or 10pm). Hope this helps .Ciao.
Written 20 November 2016
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