Colca Canyon - Arequipa

Like a giant gash through the Andes, the Colca Canyon (200 km (125 miles) long and 3,400 m deep) winds majestically through the mountain landscape with the turbulent waters of the Colca River flowing through it.

Condors, lords of the skies, alongside a variety of flora and fauna, inhabit this magnificent land, giving life to one of the most spectacular regions in all Peru. Here you will find the legacy of an ancient culture that has been preserved to this day.

The 14 villages that spread over both sides of the canyon reflect a richly blended indigenous and colonial heritage. In these picturesque villages, clustered around their fine baroque churches, life goes on as in the past, delighting travellers who may almost feel they are visiting a living museum.

The walls of the Colca Canyon are adorned with large sections of Inca and pre-Inca terracing. During tours of the Colca Canyon ruins of Inca settlements can be seen.

An ideal destination for walking and trekking there are numerous tours of the Colca Canyon available. A visit to Colca Canyon is not complete without a stop at the Condor Cross or Cruz del Condor, a viewpoint overlooking the valley. Everyday, particularly between 9 and 10:30am, the fabulous Colca Condors fly by seemingly purposely showing off their grandeur to the few loads of tourists waiting.

The Colca Canyon landscape is covered with over 200 varieties of plants, 117 species of birds (including the colibri andino, the world’s largest hummingbird), and many alpacas, llamas and vincunas.