Cabanaconde makes a good base for walking in the Colca region, and is the start point for all walks into the canyon.

The most popular walk in the area is from Cabanaconde to the Oasis (Sangalle) next to the river.

This walk descends 1,300 metres down the side of the canyon on a very impressive trail, giving fine views of the river and the mountains.

The rock strata passed while descending are very impressive. The walk down takes about 1½ to 2 hours, and is straightforward, although at points the trail is quite steep and slippery.

The trail down is easy to find, although it is a good idea to ask the people working in the fields if it is the correct path, as there are a couple of points near the beginning where you can go wrong. Head past the Hostal Valle del Fuego from the Plaza, and cross the rubbish heap.

When you come to the canyon you can see a blue swimming pool next to the river. That is the oasis.

The Colca Canyon is a beautiful part of Peru offering stunning scenery and one of the best opportunities to see condors in the wild. Originally, the area was inhabited by the Collaguas and the Cabanas, and the Incas also occupied the area for a short time.

The Collaguas were an industrious and prosperous people, and the terraces throughout the canyon indicate their agricultural and architectural skills.

When the Spanish occupied the valley in 1540, Viceroy Toledo ordered that the population, which had been dispersed throughout the valley, be gathered into fourteen villages, which survive today. This made it easier to control and tax the inhabitants.

The first rafting expedition in the Colca was carried out by the Polish Student Expedition in 1981, where they travelled from Canco to the Andamayo River, where the Colca River becomes the River Majes.

Initially, the expedition tried to leave from Cabanaconde, but the difficulty of the rapids and rocks damaged their kayaks and inflatable boats.

Since then, a number of further rafting expeditions have been carried out, but given the extreme difficulty of the river, and the impossibility of rescue in case of accidents, these are still rare.

It is possible to cycle in much of the canyon, and there are many pretty rides through traditional towns.

Some of these are quite easy, although obviously the scope for more challenging riding is high.

Mountain bikes can be hired from Colca Adventures in the Plaza de Armas in Chivay.

The company also organises guided half-day tours around Chivay.

The Colca Canyon has many high peaks that can be climbed, and present interest not only in the climb itself, but also in the importance of the mountains.

Most had spiritual importance for the inhabitants of the area. Coropuna, at 6,613m, is the third-highest mountain in Peru.

And Ampato, at 6,310m, is where the remains of the Inca mummy'Juanita' were discovered.

Mismi, at 5,597m, is accepted as the true source of the Amazon River.