Arequipa & Colca Canyon: An adventure from the ancient capital into Peru’s deepest canyon

Etched 13,650 feet deep into the lush green Peruvian landscape, the Colca Canyon is one of the most spectacular natural phenomenons in all of South America. 

Plummeting to twice the depth of the Grand Canyon, this epic rock fissure is one of the deepest in the world, and winds a colossal 100km through Southern Peru. Its steep craggy walls and knife-edge rock ledges make for dramatic viewing, especially when contrasted with the rolling mountains which surround it. The wildlife that lives here is equally as impressive. 

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Despite their declining numbers, the Andean Condor can be glimpsed soaring above the rock formations, riding thermals created by the plunging canyon walls.

Graceful vicuna, the alpaca’s wild cousin, and tarucus deer roam impossibly across rock-bound terrain. Brightly-hued flocks of flamingos, and giant hummingbirds can be spotted in exposed areas. 

The human population is just as colorful, with three separate ethnic groups calling the area home. The Kollowas, the Cabanas, and the Ccaccatapay all lay claim to shaping the canyon’s rich heritage, and continue to keep the traditional heart of the region beating today. 

The canyon had been a hub of culture for centuries, with indigenous communities populating it even before the Incas arrived in the 1300s. This long history has gifted the area a host of unique remnants, which include 6,000 year-old rock art, and pre-hispanic ruins. Sadly, many tourists miss out on exploring this ancient treasure trove in their haste to visit Machu Picchu. 

But for those willing to take a chance on a lesser known attraction, the Colca Canyon provides a unique and rewarding taste of Peruvian culture and wildlife, and can be visited with relative ease as part of a guided tour. 

The closest city to Colca Canyon is ancient Arequipa, roughly 100 miles from its boundary. The city is best known as a launchpad for Andean adventure, with its envious location close to many of Peru’s biggest attractions. However,  The city is an attraction in itself, with its grand Baroque centre, carved from white volcanic stone, earning it the nickname Ciudad Blanca – White City. The food, architecture, and historic force combine to create a haven for those looking to experience Southern Peru at its most authentic.

The Colca Canyon takes a little less than four hours to reach from Arequipa, via a route which takes in stunning views of surrounding natural features. If you opt for a longer tour, your guide will likely pause at some of the key ones, including the Chachani, Misti and Picchu Picchu volcanoes. This trio of volcanoes are all inactive, but make for dramatic viewing due to their gargantuan stature.

You may also stop for lunch at one of the pretty villages perched between the city and the canyon. The two day tour offered by Viator pauses at Coporaque, known for its community tourism, for a guided walk around the narrow streets and dip in the local hot springs. 

If you are on a day tour, such as the one offered by Peru Andes, your afternoon will be spent touring various spots around the canyon, enjoying a range of perspectives of the epic fissure. This excursion includes a visit to the Mysterious Lagoons of Antahuilque, with their thousand-years-old agricultural terraces, rising like a lush staircase into the distance. 

Other operators opt to visit the Mirador Cruz del Condor, a viewpoint which offers one of the best views of the iconic condors, circling the canyon. From here you are able to see deep into the canyon, and can fully appreciate just how vast the chasm is. 

Multiple-day tours will then head on to that night’s accommodation, usually a lodge or hostel, depending on your budget. Many will bed-down in the town of Chivay, capital of the Caylloma province, and conveniently located next to the canyon. Most tours include overnight accommodation in your booking price, but it is worth checking with the operator beforehand.  

If you are looking to get the blood pumping, then consider a specialist hiking tour. Peru Hop has a great two day trek option, which will see visitors lead deep into the canyon by a qualified guide. Day one includes a descent into the village of Sangalle, approximately 1900 meters above sea level. After a night’s rest, you will trek for around 3 hours to reach the town of Cabanaconde, reaching the viewing point as the sun begins to rise. This option is relatively hard physically, but does not require any technical skills to complete. 

To really push yourself, check out the three day hiking tour by Flashpacker Connect. This trek will see you tackle 8, 7, then 5 miles, hiking for a total of 14 hours over the three days. Your hard work will be rewarded with unrivaled views of abandoned “witches’ houses”, terraces, and the river Colca.