Colca canyon
It is located north of the city of Arequipa, at 164 km (102 miles), 3.15 h from ArequipaColca Canyon , the second most deepest in the word, 3400 metres (11 150 ft )deep ,Its highest point (condor croos-4 350 m.a.s.l.-14 268 ft), isa n hour and a half from chivay town (6 570 inhabitans). Over this valley, the erosion from the Colca River creates a canyon of about 70 km. (43.5 miles) length, being the deepest of the world, 3000 meters (9,842 feet). Very beautiful landscapes with strong wind, over flight by condors which are the biggest birds in the world.In the mirador "Cruz del Condor" located among Maca and Cabanaconde's town (place of privileged view), is very common to see condors in majestic flight.
Between December and March, the waters of the Colca River offer for the lovers of canoeing, one of the best places in the world for the practice of this sport. It includes rapids of high speed (gradient + V), and great isolation in certain tracks. The upper part (Andagua) and the middle of it can be navigated in kayaks by sportsmen with much experience. This is an area of pure adrenaline.
This area was traveled and explored for the first time in 1979 by an expedition of students of the University of Cracovia (Poland), who baptized the route with the names of Canyon of Juan Pablo II, Canyon of the Poles and Reparaz Canyon in honor to its discoverer Gonzalo de Reparaz Ruiz.
Geography
The Colca River starts high in the Andes at Condorama Crucero Alto and changes its name to Majes, and then to Camana before reaching the Pacific Ocean. Parts of the canyon are habitable, and Inca and pre-Inca terraces are still cultivated along the less precipitous canyon walls. The small town of Chivay is on the upper Colca River, where the canyon is not so deep but where many terraces are present in the canyon and continue for many kilometers downstream. As the canyon deepens downriver, a series of small villages is spread out over the approximately 35 miles (56 km) between Chivay and the village of Cabanaconde. The canyon reaches its greatest depth and, in contrast, about 15 miles (24 km) to the southeast rises the 20,630-ft (6,288-m) Nevado Ampato, a snow-capped extinct volcano.
Attractions
Attracting more and more visitors each year to the Colca Canyon, in addition to the awesome sights, are the Andean condors. The Colca Canyon is home of the majestic Condor. Tourists can see the big condors at fairly close range as they fly through the canyon. The canyon is the natural habitat of the great Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), a species that has seen world-wide effort to preserve it.
Cruz del Condor' is a popular tourist stop to view the condors, the pass where condors soar gracefully on the rising thermals occurring as the air warms. The condors hunt in the early morning and late afternoon, so it is best to be there during those times. At this point the canyon floor is 3,960 ft (1,200 m) below the rim of the canyon.
The Colca Canyon is also ideal for Adventure Sports. In addition, the La Calera natural hot springs is a wonderful way to relax after a day's touring. The hot springs are located at Chivay, the biggest town in the Colca Canyon.
Colcas
One of the survival skills of the ancient Colca people was the ability to store large amounts of grain for hard times the warehouses, known as 'colcas', gave name to the valley. In the 'cool' caves of Pumunuta, it is possible to see circular colcas a meter (3.28 feet) in diameter, mad of mud and straw.
Cruz del Condor
Usually, in such a deep valley, the rising winds are surprisingly strong which big condors take advantage of to soar into the sky easily.
Between Maca and Cabanaconde, where winds are even stronger, is the Cruz del Condor, and observation point, perfect for watching the condors while they fly majestically.
Churches
There are almost 20 towns along the valley, which people preserve the ethnic richness of their past more than any other region of the country.
The main ones are Chivay, Cabanaconde, Huambo, Maca, Achoma, Yunque, Larl and Coporaque, all very religious towns, whose Catholic faith also keeps alive pre-Columbian elements. Each town has its own church, bearer of its Hispanic and an example of architectural sobriety and purity based on the ashlar stone.
Ethnic Richness
An ethnic group, bearer of ancient and still strong traditions, has dwelled the valley for more than 2,000 years. They are the Collaguas who arrived to the Colca valley from the high regions and seem to be descendants of the Aymaras because of their language and customs. Even under the Inca dominion, they kept themselves relatively Independent, and preserved their own traditions.
It is sold that the supreme Inca Mayta Capac married a Collagua princess in order to formalize the conquest of the valley, and he built for her an elegant country house made of copper, near Sibayo.
Rafting along the Colca-Majes River
From December to March, expert and trained rafters can go along the high and middle section of the river, explored by the 1979 Polish expeditions. It includes very difficult and isolated rapids, as the towns are far from the torrent. Although the low section may be ran over in rubber rafts, only expert people, trained in kayac rafting can do it in the canyon sections.
The name of the Colca river changes as it flows down to the Pacific ocean, Past the canyon; its name is Majes. Here, there are more chances for tourists to go in rubber rafts.
The chances of finding shelters and access ways are better. Although its navigable section (Andamayo-Aplao river) does not have long rapids, the beauty of landscape and the clean river course allows enjoying the comfortable trip. The area is open year round to visitors.