Cruz del Cóndor
At Cruz del Cóndor, the canyon floor sits 1,200 metres below your feet, and on most mornings between June and September, Andean condors rise out of that void without a single wingbeat. The canyon walls warm in the early sun, thermals build, and birds with wingspans up to 3.3 metres simply open their wings and let the air do the rest.
The viewpoint takes its name from two things: those morning flyovers, and a stone cross set on a striking rock promontory above the platforms. Two observation terraces are connected by stairs — the lower one tends to be quieter and puts the birds at a slightly different angle.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who've been more than once tend to arrive before the tour buses and head straight to the lower platform. The upper terrace fills fast; the lower one empties quickly when guides start moving groups back to their vehicles. Stay quiet — noise pushes the condors away — and consider the Antahuilque Viewpoint a few kilometres back toward Chivay for condor activity with almost nobody else around.
The story behind Cruz del Cóndor
The site was originally called Chacllacruz. Toward the end of the 20th century, researchers and early travellers noted that the thermal currents rising from the canyon floor here were unusually reliable — ideal conditions for condors to launch and gain altitude with minimal effort. Word spread, and the spot was gradually adapted for visitors: safe paths were cut, observation terraces built, and the stone cross erected on the promontory above.
The name Cruz del Cóndor — Condor's Cross — fused those two facts into one. In recent years, air pollution from campfires and tour buses has made sightings somewhat less consistent than they once were, a tension the site is still working through.
Good to know
The Colca Boleto Turístico (S/70 for foreign adults, valid 5 days) covers entry and is bought online or at the Chivay control — not usually included in tour prices. Most organised visits allow 45 to 90 minutes; independent travellers can linger as long as they like. Avoid January and February, when sightings are rare.
Mornings at 3,800 metres are cold even in summer — bring a windbreaker, gloves and sunglasses regardless of the calendar month. The dry season from August to early October gives the clearest skies and the highest chance of condor activity; the wet season (peaking January–February) brings cloud cover and very few sightings.
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What travellers say about Cruz del Cóndor
Beautiful place to come and few amazing condors flying. Get there early around 7 to 8am. On this day we say twenty Acondors flying up close. There are public bathrooms and free parking. Lots of vendors and people when we went on Easter weekend.
Absolutely breathtaking location. Words literally cant describe this location and it's vastness and beauty. We did the day trip, mainly because it's rainy season, but would have wanted to do the two day hiking experience. Well worth the long day.
Spectacular! Very nice to see condors in their habitat. It can get very crowded and not easy to get optimal spot. I was so lucky that the young condor landed on the rocks near me. ❤️ Really absolutely amazing experience! We were on motorcycles tour and riding to the viewing area was stunning, awesome scenery along the way.
Nice place with a nice view they say best time to see condor is in the morning. Lots of people around along with people in condor costumes.
Fantastic views. While it does cost 70 soles each to enter the Canyon that lasts for 3 days. We stopped here for 2 nights in our camper. Very quiet at night and even when the mini buses arrived most parked up by the view point and off the road Toilet only open in the morning when the tour busses are about. Saw Condors, Andean Fox and a Giant Hummingbird.
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