Trekking in Peru – trekking in the Colca Canyon
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.
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Where is the Colca Canyon
Colca Canyon, located in Southern Peru is one of the deepest canyons in the world at 10,725 ft and runs over 100 km. Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon but with less steep walls, the Colca Canyon remains relatively undiscovered by tourism.
As part of the Volcanic Mountain Range of the Occidental Andes, spectacular vistas are formed by the volcanoes, some of which are still active including Hualca Hualca, Ampato and Sabancaya which looms in the background.
A fertile region, the canyon is dotted with traditional villages where farming still takes place on the pre-Inca and Inca agricultural terraces.
Reached after a journey through rugged landscape dominated by volcanoes and seemingly only home to llama and vicuna, it is simply paradise.
History Colca Canyon
The Colca Canyon has been the traditional home of the Collagua and Cabana peoples for ages: they are thought to be descended from the Aymara culture. The canyon has always been remote: although it was part of the Inca Empire, it maintained a high level of autonomy from Inca rule, mostly because the geography made it difficult to govern. The world Colca comes fro the holes in the valley walls, which the natives used to dig as places to store food and bury their dead.
When the Spanish came, they established several towns in the area, but they did not last and have been lost to time. It wasn’t until the 1980′s, when the river was harnessed for hydroelectric power, were usable roads built in the region. Even so, the drive from Arequipa to Chivay—about 50 miles as the condor flies—is a four-hour trip, minimum.
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