Colca Canyon is amongst one of the deepest canyons in the world and is located in the southern part of Peru.
It is over 3,000 meters deep, which makes it nearly twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the United States. That said nevertheless, Colca Canyon is still quite unknown to most tourists, overshadowed as it is by Peru’s more popular offerings, such as the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
This canyon is in the Andes Mountains, and it takes five hours’ drive from Arequipa city. Getting there is quite an exciting journey in itself; to get to Colca Canyon there is the pleasant ride on highland plains, by snow-capped volcanoes and typical Andean villages.
They are beautiful, with their fields terracing for thousands of years by the Collagua and Cabana indigenous peoples. These pre-Hispanic terraces—most of which are currently in use—are evidence of the creativity and endeavour of the Andean populace.
For any kind of trekker, Colca Canyon presents a vast number of opportunities for any kind of trek. The most popular route is the descent into the canyon itself: the descent to the viewpoint over the Colca River and spending the night in one of the villages at the valley lowland.
The climb is steep, and the trail is rough in most places, but once at the top, the view to enjoy is incredible. And that is partly why this really is a hike for serious hikers in good physical health condition, because the walk back involves conquering steep, rough terrain.
Apart from Trekking, Colca Canyon is among the most popular sites of river rafting; the flow of water in the Colca River is very chaotic, with very steep currents for those willing to take the risks. The final wonders of the attractions of the canyon are hot springs that allow for rejuvenation in various locations that offer thermal waters after the day filled with activities; all this set in a magnificent mountainous backdrop.
However, Colca Canyon is also spun with histories and cultures. For the most part, tourism in the region involves exploring archeological sites, tombs, the petroglyphs that are existent in the region, and church buildings that are the remnants of Spanish colonization.
To get to Colca Canyon means to go to the heart of the Andes, passing through incredible scenery, people, and experiences.
Mark