Peru Travel - Exploring Colca Canyon in Arequipa

When you think of canyons, the Grand Canyon is probably the first to come to mind, and it is certainly impressive. But travelers to Peru have the chance to visit a canyon that's twice as deep as the Grand Canyon - Colca Canyon in Arequipa. It offers magnificent views and a multitude of excursions and activities for intrepid tourists. It's also one of the best places on earth to catch a glimpse of the Andean Condor.

Colca Canyon is in the Peruvian department of Arequipa, about 4 hours by road from the city of the same name. The trip along the roads leading from Arequipa to Colca is an adventure just on its own as it travels along the high plateau where you can see herds of vicuña and magnificent mountain peaks. The road passes near the town of Cañahuas and the Puruña stone forest, an area covered with unusual sandstone formations. Don't forget to stop and shop at the Cañahuas market, where you can buy hand made artisanal goods for which the area is famous. The trip offers plenty of photo opportunities with inhabitants both human and animal, and of the gorgeous landscape including the El Misti volcano.

Visitors to Colca Canyon have a wide variety of activities to choose from, and there is something to fit anyone's interests. There are many small towns that offer opportunities to see Peruvians living in much the same way as their ancestors did years ago. Chivay is the main town on the left side of the valley, and is representative of what you can see throughout the canyon. The church in Chivay, Nuestra Senora de la Asunción, is decorated with artwork from the 16^th through 18^th centuries. The hot springs at La Calera on the edge of the town are also a must visit.

Those interested in catching a view of the famous Andean Condor can catch a bus from Chivay to La Cruz del Condor. Here, near the deepest part of the canyon, the condors catch the early morning and late afternoon thermal air currents that allow them to soar high above the earth in search of food. If you'd like to stay nearby, there is lodging and food in Cabanaconde which is only about an hour's hike away. The area also offers camping for those who prefer to rough it.

For more adventurous travelers, Colca Canyon offers plenty of exciting activities. Tour companies offer treks through the canyon that include climbing different peaks in the area such as Ampato Volcano or Chachani Mountain. White water rafting in the Colca River is also very popular, with rafting packages from 1 to 10 days available from a variety of tour providers.

Colca Canyon offers a combination of historic towns and natural beauty that makes it a unique place to visit. When you also consider the exciting adventure activities available and the opportunity to see the Andean condor in its natural habitat, you'll understand why the Colca Canyon is one of Peru's most impressive travel destinations.