THE COLCA CANYON

Length of visit: one or two days

Daily

An excursion of 12 hours is offered for someone who does not have two days, ideal time to visit the Colca Canyon. However it is necessary to leave Arequipa at 4:00a.m. to reach the observatory of the Condores by 8:00. The trip is conducted along a dirt road which takes you to the Viewpoint of Cruz del condor ( 246 km from Arequipa at 3,225 m.a.s.l.). In Quechua it is called "chacla" because there they "chacllaba" the Earth: they made offerings to request its help and protection. In this place the valley has a depth of 1,050 metres. Before sun rise, you can see dozens of condors who, taking advantage of the "thermals" of the place soar from the depths and glide for many minutes without flapping their wings. You return to Arequipa after lunch.

As mentioned early it is ideal to make this visit in two days. In a journey of 205 km between Arequipa and the town of CHIVAY you can see many places of singular beauty such as: PAMPA DE CAÑAHUA (95 km. from Arequipa and at 3,800 m.a.s.l.) where the Vicuñas, Alpacas and Llamas abound; the VENTANA OF THE COLCA (143 km from Arequipa and 4,100 m.a.s.l); the typical villages of SIBAYO (174 km from Arequipa and at 4,110 m.a.s.l) and TUTI (184 km from Arequipa and at 3,960 m.a.s.l.) with colonial churches of incalculable value; the archaeological ruins of the COLLAHUAS, inhabitants of the place before the Inca conquest; the village of COPORAQUE (3,628 m.a.s.l) and the ANDENERIAS built between the VI and VII centuries. Along the way on the banks of the Colca River a cold lunch will be served. Arrivel at Chivay will be at sunset, to spend the night at a comfortable lodge.

The second day after visiting the mirador CRUZ DEL CONDOR (41 km from Chivay) the towns of YAQUE and MACA will be visited. From here the SABANCAYA volcano in intermitent eruption can be seen. Return to Arequipa will be along a dirt road which will cross a pass at 4,850 m.a.s.l from where an extraordinary view of the CHILA, mountain range and of all the volcanoes of the region can be experienced. Arrival in Arequipa is in the afternoon.

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