Three Days in Colca Canyon

Colca Canyon is the world's deepest canyon, and it's located about 5 hours from Arequipa Peru by car.  I had the great privilege of traveling to the canyon with Guillermo Rendón Cuadros, the Colca Specialist, and Naturaleza Activa, the best adventure tour company in Arequipa.  We descended all the way into the canyon on first day and stayed at a "familiar home," where we were served up hot showers, traditional food and culture and slept in private cottages for the night.  On the second day we hiked along the canyon until reaching the oasis, also known as Paradise.  The name is fitting, we relaxed poolside for three hours, swimming and drinking cold beers before being served a traditional lunch, all in in the towering presence of the Colca Canyon walls.  After digesting for another hour we climbed out of the canyon in three hours on a grueling switchback trail.  It was almost too much for me with all of my camera equipment.  My legs were sore for a few days after.  The next day we stopped by Cruz del Condor to get some amazing views of the Andean Condors that grace the cliffs of Colca Canyon. From there we drove through the Colca Valley to the town of Chivay and were treated to some hot spring therapy for our sore muscles and bones before heading back to Arequipa.  Overall the trip was excellent.  If you want to know more about Colca Canyon, see Guillermo's blog at: http://thecolcaspecialist.blogspot.com/

Enjoy the views:

The road to Colca

Me at the "familiar house"

Putting my feet up in Paradise

Climbing out of Colca Canyon

Traffic on the way out

Cruz del Condors