Trek to Colca Canyon

Between Cusco and Machu Picchu and Huaraz and the high peaks, Hollie and I had a week or so to explore and be adventurous. We originally considered going to the rainforest, but prices were a little high and we still didn´t have our yellow fever vaccination. So we decided to head to Arequipa and seek our fortunes there. As soon as we arrived, there were signs (and Peruvians jumping out of tour agencies) lauding the vast and varied attributes and acolades of the Colca Canyon. ´World´s second deepest canyon!´ ´See Andean Condors!´ ´Must do for every traveler!´ So without much hesitation, we began visiting tour companies to check out prices and trips. The first company we went to was recommended in The Lonely Planet and looked pretty good - pretty expensive as well. In the end we went with the fourth company we investigated for less that 1/4 the price of the original.


The bus ride was 5 hours long and I was getting pretty car sick, but I just told myself that it would all be worth it. As soon as we began hiking we realized all the pictures we had been shown were taken on clear days during the rainy season. It wasn´t technically a desert, but it was very deserty. Incredibly dusty with mostly cactus and a few other shrubs growning. Not exactly what we were hoping for, but we were determined to make the best out of it.

Our first night we stayed in a family run hostel on the other side of the canyon. What was impressive about it was that there are no roads and only long, steep, dusty trails to the small village. What was unimpressive was everything else - particularly the food. Hollie and I have been enjoying some fine Peruvian food, even at the budget level. Unfortunately the quality of food on this trek was noticably below anything we had experienced before - mostly rice, potatos, and mystery sauce.




The next day we rose early and hiked to the Oasis. This was really a beautiful spot. You can see it below; near the bottom of the canyon with waterfalls feeding the swimming pools. We finally began to really enjoy our time in the canyon. Above is a picture of us with our group. Nice enough, except that they were from Spain. Unfortunately our guide talked to them mostly in Spanish and gave us the cliff notes in English.

One of my favorite moments of the trek was Hollie´s encounter with an Alpaca. As we got ready to leave the Oasis, Hollie decided to make friends with an innocent looking alpaca. As she approached with soothing calls of ´nice alpaca´ ´nice alpaca,´ all of a sudden the alpaca spit at her!

´How rude!´ thought Hollie...and spit right back!







On our last morning we drove to the ´Cruz del Condor´(Condor Cross) in hopes of catching a close up glimpse of that largest of Andean carrion birds. The cross was positioned on a spectacular point beyond which the canyon dropped near vertically for over 3,000 ft. We were the first group to arrive (7:30am), so there were just a few of us standing there shivering in the early morning sun. After 15 minutes of gazing into the canyon (and still shivering) we spotted our first condor. It was still quite a distance away but looked magnificent. Just 5 minutes later and several more appeared. They gave us a great show, flying within 30 ft or so. My picutes aren´t the best, but below you can see those that were most in focus.


















In the end we have decided to remember our trek to the Colca Canyon with fond memories. One more day in Arequipa - White Water Rafting - and then off to the Cordillera Blanca.