oasis

If you’re going to Peru, make sure you visit the Colca Canyon (Cañón del Colca).

This canyon is massive, it’s actualy one of the biggest in the world and is almost twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA !!  Peru’s Colca Canyon (Cañón del Colca) is around 3,300m deep and stretches for about 70km.   This canyon isn’t like any other canyon though – In the Colca Canyon (Cañón del Colca) you’ll find the Andean Condo, an Oasis, a river, small villages and lots of different animals including alpacas!

(see the Oasis??)

Where is the Colca Canyon (Cañón del Colca)?

Peru’s Colca Canyon is located in the South East of Peru.  To get there you should first go to Peru’s second largest city, Arequipa, which is this amazing city filled with mirth and beauty.  I actually stayed there for a few weeks and learnt Spanish! – You can read about it here.

So once you’re in Arequipa you can organise a tour to the Colca Canyon, or, you can make your own tour! (which is what I did).  If you do want to go with a tour I’d recommend Peru Hop.  They’re very renown in Peru and offer great tours!  You can check them out here.
I caught a bus from Arequipa and it took me straight to the Canyon.

What to do?

(I was lucky enough to have this guy as my tour guide/friend)

There’s actually a few things to check off the list, so if you do a tour make sure they include them, or if you go on your own, make sure your bus stops at these destinations.

1.     Seeing the Condors

The Andean Condors are some of the world’s largest birds.  They almost look like people flying around with wings.  They’re MASSIVE.  I think their wing spand reaches 3m!  On the way to the Colca Canyon there is a lookout called, Cruz del Condor.  Make sure your bus stops there! If you’re lucky enough you’ll get a pretty close view of groups of condors flying by.  It’s amazing.  The only thing is that a lot of people go to this lookout so be prepared for that!

2.     Visiting the villages

Within and also lining the Colca Canyon you’ll find lots of villages!! It’s really amazing.  If you’re going on your own be sure to look at a map first and visit a village which is on your route.  One of the bigger ones is called Chivay!  They even have hotels set-up!

3.     Go to the Oasis

My favourite part was trekking down to the Oasis.  You can see it right from the top of the Canyon.  It’s truly amazing.  As you’re hiking into this 3,300m deep canyon you can see this tiny green spot and as you get closer you see this beautiful greenery.  There are lots of plants, palm trees, a river and even pools to swim in!  It feels almost surreal.  At the Oasis you can even find accommodation so I’d recommend staying there for the night before continuing your journey.

4.     Visit the hot springs

Something which I didn’t get to do, mainly because I was already hot and exhausted, was visit the natural hot springs.  You should definitely go though!  I heard that La Calera Hot Springs were amazing so make sure you visit them if that’s something you wish to do.

Where to stay?

(If you look hard enough at this photo, you’ll see the Oasis – stay there!)

You can stay at most of the villages within the Colca Canyon (Cañón del Colca), so don’t worry too much about accommodation.  Also if you go with a tour company, they’ll organise all of this for you.  A really well trusted tour company with lots of experience in this is Peru Hop so make sure you get in contact with them if you want to go!

TIP

Make sure you take cash with you – it’ll make your life A LOT easier!

ANOTHER TIP

If you’re trekking up and out of the canyon, MAKE SURE you leave early in the morning (and take water, plenty of it).  The walk back up takes anywhere from 3-5 hours so be sure you leave at around 4.30am because walking with the suns heat makes it so much harder to do.

(Even some of the friends you make on the way will need water!)

FINAL TIP

Enjoy yourself!  Although the walk is tiring and arduous, try to enjoy it.  The Colca Canyon (Cañón del Colca) has been used by the indigenous people of Peru so be sure to respect it’s energy and magic.  It’s a fascinating place to visit and many people don’t even know it exists!

I hope you find your own special way to enjoy the magic of Peru’s Colca Canyon (Cañón del Colca)  🙂

(From the bottom of the canyon, in the river, near the Osais)