The Colca is a valley and canyon located in the middle of the Andes. It is one of the deepest canyons in the world, reaching a depth of 4,160 meters (up to twice as deep as ‘The Grand Canyon’ in the United States). Its abrupt geography was formed more than 150 million years ago. A great variety of flora and fauna settled there, where the presence of the Andean condor, the largest flying bird in the world, stands out.
While you are traveling to Peru you may need to keep communication or a translation app. That’s why you may need to use one of our mobile phone plans for tourists to have a tourist sim card. In order to make a nice trip here in PeruSIM. Here’s everything you need to know about Colca canyon.
Currently, the Colca Valley and Canyon is the second most visited tourist attraction in Peru (only after Machu Picchu). During the trip, the visitor travels through traditional Andean villages such as Coporaque, Yanque, Maca, Chivay and more. The route includes a hiking trail and the option to relax in thermal baths or do adventure sports. The tours depart from the city of Arequipa.
The Colca Canyon has a depth of 4,160 meters, making it the second deepest canyon in the world (only after China’s Yarlung Tsangpo, which is 5,590 meters deep). Research indicates that the canyon was formed some 150 million years ago. There are slopes of up to 60º. In its surroundings there are stone forests. There are also caves or grottos where ceramic remains, petroglyphs, fossils and even human remains have been found.
Where is it located?
The Colca Canyon is located in the middle of the Andes Mountains in southern Peru. It belongs to the town of Chivay, province of Caylloma, Arequipa region.
How to get there?
The starting point is the city of Arequipa, from where you have to take transportation to the town of Chivay (approximately 3 hours). The town of Chivay, the capital of the province of Caylloma, is where you will find the largest number of lodging options nearby. From there you must walk to reach the Colca Canyon.
Flora
The Colca Canyon has an Andean ecosystem, which is home to different species of trees and plants, such as: queñua forests, ichu (also known as puna grass), bofedales, yaretas, cactus, tolares, the puya Raimondi, among others.
Fauna
Like the ecosystems, the fauna of the Colca Canyon is varied. There are currently 231 species of vertebrates. Some species stand out, such as the Andean condor, the parihuana, the llama, the alpaca, the vicuña, the taruca, the Andean fox, the vizcacha, the peregrine falcon, and the ajoya, among others. Some of these species are endangered and vulnerable.
The flight of the condor
In the Colca Canyon is one of the most famous spectacles of nature in Peru: the flight of the condor. At the ‘Condor’s Cross’ viewpoint, it is possible to appreciate the flight of up to 20 of these birds, considered the symbol of the Andes Mountains.
The Andean condor is considered the largest flying bird in the world. It has a height of 1.3 meters. With its wings outstretched, it reaches an extension of 3.5 meters. It weighs between 11 to 13 kilos. They feed mainly on carrion. They live between 50 to 75 years. For the Inca culture, they were sacred birds that communicated the world of the gods (hanan pacha) with the earthly world (kay pacha).
Andean peoples
Along the Colca Canyon, several Andean villages full of history have settled over the years, such as Yanque, Achoma, Maca, Pinchollo, Cabanaconde, Coporaque, Ichupampa, Lari, Madrigal and Chivay (capital of the province of Caylloma). In addition to the beautiful landscapes (such as the snow-capped Ampato, Coropuna, Solimana and Huallahualca), these towns are full of history, archaeological remains and, above all, many traditions.
Adventure sports
During the trip to the Colca Canyon you can do different adventure sports such as rock climbing, cycling, canoeing, but above all, hiking trails. Most of these treks last 3 days and 2 nights and start in the town of Cabanaconde. The stretches are full of spectacular scenery. It crosses rivers, lagoons, Andean villages and viewpoints.
Hot springs
The towns surrounding the Colca Canyon offer thermal baths that originated thousands of years ago as a result of the volcanoes that dominate the Andes Mountains. The thermal baths of the towns of Chivay (the baths of La Calera), Yanque (the baths of Chacapi), Callalli (the baths of the Inca) and Caylloma (the baths of Coñeymayo) stand out. The waters of these natural attractions have a temperature that varies from 36ºC. to 50ºC. and have elements that relieve muscular and rheumatic pains such as: calcium, zinc, iron and others. The entrance fee to these places varies from 1 Peruvian sol to 15 Peruvian soles.
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