Hola! Welcome to Colca Canyon

The Colca Canyon cuts through the mountainous landscape of the Andes like a giant gash (200km or 125 miles in length and 10,725 feet deep). The turbulent Colca River flows through the canyon. The river originates in the glaciers of the Andes and while rushing down to the Pacific Ocean through the ages, has cut into the volcanic rock and created the vast Colca Canyon. The canyon is considered to be twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.

If you stop by at Chivay during your tour of the Colca Valley, you will probably hear about the La Calera hot springs. A soak in these natural springs (open daily from 8 AM - 8 PM) will relax your aching muscles after a long day of exploring the Colca Canyon. Signing up for a Colca Canyon tour or trek is a good idea. It is a great way to experience the great outdoors in Peru. You will also find a great range of hotels in the Colca Canyon, and you can even use our Colca Canyon map to choose your Colca canyon hotel based on its location. You will find good value hotels in Yanque, hotels in Cabanaconde, and hotels in Chivay, hotels in Arequipa Peru .

If you take a tour of the Colca Canyon, you will also come across ruins of Inca settlements. High above the canyon on both flanks of the valley are fascinating Peru villages that were once home to the original Collagua and Cabana groups. You will notice that the canyon walls have large Inca and pre-Inca terraces cut into them. Many of the agricultural terrace complexes seen in the valley have been around since the pre-Inca era and are still being used. You can also explore archaeological remains such as cliff tombs and geoglyphs in the area.

The Colca Valley offers a glimpse into a well-preserved ancient culture. In the fourteen villages on both sides of the canyon, visitors can catch glimpses of a heritage that is a rich blend of the indigenous and the colonial. The homes of these people are built around beautiful baroque Peru churches and their style of living still retains its traditional flavour, often making visitors feel like they are in a living museum.

Many travellers are attracted by the fantastic scenery of the canyon, and some come here to see the world-famous Andean condor. The magnificent condors soar above the valley, and the earth is enriched by a huge variety of flora and fauna. The best vantage point for condor watching is the Cruz del Condor area, 30 miles west of Chivay. If you head there in the morning, you will not be alone, as lots of people come here to see the largest flying bird in the world. Around 9:00 AM, you will see these extraordinary birds circling below the lookout area, which towers above the Colca River at a height of about 4,000 feet. The condors slowly begin to soar higher and higher, often circling just above the awestruck crowd. The Incans held the condor in high regard, and watching a condor hunt for prey is a rare treat you should not deny yourself of while on vacation in Peru.

We are local to the Colca Canyon and can help you find the perfect Colca Canyon hotel and also offer some interesting and exciting Colca Canyon tours. Let us help you plan your ideal Colca Canyon holiday!