Colca Canyon, Peru

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Entry posted by korver · June 21, 2021

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After exploring Bolivia, we travel west into Peru to explore the Colca Canyon - a river canyon in southern part of the country that's famed as the world's deepest canyon, reaching depths of over 13,600 feet in certain places. This well-known trekking destination is also a habitat for giant condors, on view from overlooks like Cruz del Condor. The canyon landscape comprises a green valley and remote traditional villages with terraced agriculture that predates the Incas - and we'll be taking a look at all of these sights and more in today's update.

We'll begin our trek into the canyon with a look at one of the local villages on the outskirts of the canyon - Pampacolca. Since ancient times, the locals have been able to preserve their ancient Incan traditions and beliefs - and it's common in these parts of Peru to see the natives put on a grand festival once a year.

After a few days in Pampacolca, we head out into the Canyon - which sprawls out for miles around, making for a stunning sight from above.

Many of the hillsides that flank the canyon have been farmed by the locals since ancient Incan times - and these mesmerizing, maze-like arrangements do their job quite well, giving the farmers much more land to work with in a part of the world where space is at a premium.

A few more overviews of some typical terraced farmland that surrounds the canyon - from dry to wet season, making for quite the contrast.

We return to the edge of the canyon with another trip through the terraced, mountainous countryside - and during the rainy season, these hillsides truly come alive with a vibrant display of lush vegetation.

We return to the heart of the canyon with a look above the Cruz del Condor overlook - with a few of the canyon's famed condors in view.

The tour concludes with one more overlook over one of the deepest parts of the Colca Canyon from above - these dizzying heights are truly awe-inspiring, and something you won't find anywhere else on the planet.