Colca Canyon – Where Condors Soar Overhead
If you want to see one of the most spectacular places in Peru, then Colca Canyon should be high on your list! It is the second deepest canyon in the world (deeper than the Grand Canyon in the USA!) and a true paradise for nature lovers and mountain landscapes.
Condors at your fingertips
The biggest attraction of the Colca Canyon is undoubtedly the condors. These gigantic birds, with a wingspan of up to 3 meters, can be admired from the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint. Just get up early in the morning and wait a bit - the moment when these royal birds rise on the air currents is a sight that will stay in your memory for a lifetime!
Condors are some of the largest flying birds in the world, and Colca Canyon is one of the best places to see them in the wild. Their majestic flights over the canyon’s precipices are a true spectacle of nature. If you want to get great photos, the best time to see them is in the morning, when they soar on warm air currents. Sometimes they fly so close that you can see their impressive silhouettes and distinctive black-and-white plumage.
Trekking through the canyon
For more active travelers, the Colca Canyon offers great trekking options. A popular route leads from Cabanaconde to the bottom of the canyon, where you can spend the night in the Sangalle oasis. It is a green enclave with pools and bungalows, an ideal place to rest after a demanding descent. And the next day - time to climb back up! Down about an hour on quite difficult stairs, up about 1.5 hours, but it is possible to drive to the other side of the river. It is a long but beautiful journey, leading along the slope of the canyon.
Other trekking routes include scenic hikes along the canyon, where you can admire breathtaking landscapes, waterfalls and terraced farmlands that have been used by local communities since the time of the Incas. During the trek, you can spot llamas, alpacas and even wild vicunas grazing on the canyon slopes.
Hot Springs and Local Culture
If you prefer relaxation over trekking, there are many hot springs in the area, such as La Calera. You can also visit picturesque villages such as Yanque or Maca, where you can see beautiful colonial churches and learn about the Quechua culture.
Interestingly, in the Colca Valley you can also see terraced fields that date back to pre-Inca times. Local people still cultivate traditional farming methods, and their lives go on in a calm rhythm, in accordance with the cycles of nature. Here you can try local dishes such as chupe de camarones (a creamy soup with river shrimp) or delicious roasted alpaca.
In short, Colca Canyon is a place you have to see with your own eyes. The views, the condors and the incredible energy of this place make every moment spent here special!
