Colca Canyon
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The Colca Valley is a highly visited area of the Andes Mountains where you will be able to view and trek, down the Colca Canyon. Think Grand Canyon, only deeper. Yes, the depth of the Colca Canyon is twice the depth of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. It is a sight and wonder to behold as you make your way down the steep paths to its depths. There are two types of tours to choose from when visiting the canyon. You can take a trekking tour or a scenic bus ride. One of the main attractions is to view the Andean condor, the world’s largest bird. Cruz del Condor is the lookout area where tourists go to catch a glimpse of the morning flight of the condors. The lookout point is about 4,000 feet above the Colca River, where you can observe, with amazement, the enormous wing span of these revered birds.

Colca Canyon Condor
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Arequipa, 100 miles to the southeast, is a likely beginning point for taking your tour to the Canyon. In the Colca Valley you can come across some little villages that are a nice stop along the way. Chivay is the nearest town to the Colca Valley, with a decent and moderately priced selection of hotels and restaurants. Take a visit to the La Calera hot springs and relax after a lengthy day of touring the Canyon. If you decide to take the trekking tour you may want to stay in the village of Cabanaconde, where most treks begin. You can find some very affordable hostels here. If you are doing a package tour you will probably be booked at a basic but comfortable hotel in Chivay. There are also some better quality Inns and Lodges in the valley, if you prefer something more luxurious. Whichever way you decide to tour this vast, breathtaking work of creation, you will not be disappointed. Its magnificence will leave an imprint on your mind and in your spirit, to its very depths.