Deep Canyon, Deep Emotion

 

The Colca is an incomparable tourist destination that every day attracts to more tourists of the world. It combines nature, culture, archaeology and adventure in a route where the landscapes leave us speechless.

You need at least two days to discover the Colca; 3-4 days are recommended for a basic tour, if you are interested in the adventure.

Along all the cities covered by the Colca River, it could be discovered traces of millenary pre-Inca cultures (Collahua and Cabana), crops in platforms that stand on the sky as steps, volcanic mountain range landscapes, thermal waters, geysers, volcanoes, snow-capped mountains, small lakes, falls; and colorful Andean cities, that maintain their habits, rites, magic, dancing, clothing and beautiful colonial churches. Besides all of these, you can find the landscape of the deepest canyon of the world, the habitat of the Andean Condor, one of the few places in the world where we can see it flying freely and majestically through the sky.

 

 

The towns of the Colca

The Colca Canyon  includes the towns of Cabanaconde, San Juan de Chuccho, Huambo, Majes, Chivay, Yanque, Tapay, Llatica, Belén, Achoma, Maca, Pinchollo,  Coporaque, Ichupampa, Lari, Madrigal, Canocota and Tuti.

 

Places of interest:

 

 

Thermal waters with temperature near 60ºC are originated from the banks of the Colca River due to the latent volcanic activity. This place is called La Calera, where different tempered swimming pools and other relaxing facilities were built.

 

 

 

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Before the entrance to the valley’s terraces and the entrance to the city of Chivay, the first contact with the Colca valley is a splendid viewpoint; from it you can admire the beautiful open country farmed by the “collaguas” population, as multicolor carpets, surrounded by chains of former volcanoes, whose channel is meandered by the Colca River.

 

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At both sides of the Colca River, on the former lacustrine terraces, there is a string of populations, and in each one, their beautiful colonial churches are enhanced, where original icons of the Cuzqueña school, gold and silver objects, ancient manuscripts and pictures of crucifixes, virgins and saints are kept inside. (Church of Maca)

 

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It is the congregation place of every visitor to the Colca. It is close to the district of Cabanaconde; the craggy walls of the canyon are observed, where the Colca River meanders by its depths. It is also the favorite place to see the Condor’s flight. 

 

 

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Former capital of the Cabana Culture, it is surrounded by the millenary platforms that testify the splendid past in the agricultural tasks. Its inhabitants inherit the musical and native dancing traditions, women wear polleras (skirts) and multicolor bodice, gently embroidered at the present. Its wonderful church certifies the importance of this town during the colony, maintaining its influence in the mestizo festivities such as the bullfight and patron saint’s day, celebrated with mass dancers.

 

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Near Cabanaconde, there are many volcanoes, such as: Hualca Hualca, Sabancaya and Ampato (home of Juanita). Geysers and fumaroles appear due to the volcanic activity; one of them is the geyser of “Infiernillo”, where thermal waters vapors are permanently produced, which howling are raised to the firmament, delighting the visitors. The access is from the road that connects to Cabanaconde.

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From La Cruz del Condor viewpoint, the Colca River is narrowed and its channel reaches great depth, leaving a drop of more than one thousand meters from the Cabanaconde terraces to the river’s channel. At the bottom of the valley, there are small alluvial terraces where hikers can experience the wildlife, very suitable for resting and relaxing. There are cabins with basic services and many swimming pools with tempered water. The access is from Cabanaconde.

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One of the most exciting places for hikers is the visit to the “Huaruro" Fall. Legends tell about mermaid’s charms and mysteries. After many kilometers of adventure, the visitor will arrive to the Llahuar country house, located in the Colca River’s banks, where the visitor will receive rest and relax in the thermal baths, and will enjoy fishing and extreme wildlife.

 

 

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These mythical and majestic volcanoes are still in activity. The Ampato is famous for having constituted the home of Juanita, the worldwide famous Inca mommy of an amazing conservation. The most appropriate access towards the summit is starting from Cabanaconde.

 

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The Mocurca small lake is located at the foot of the Ampato and Hualcahualca volcanoes, over 4,000 meters over sea level. It has more than 7 Km. length and tiny fishes called “challhua” live in its waters. It is also the habitat of wild ducks, flamingos, seagulls, kiwies, Andean gooses, among others. The legend tells that this lake was originated from the impact of a huge stone thrown from the Coropuna volcano.

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Near Cabanaconde and the Tapay village, there are many pre-Inca fortresses, probable belonging to delayed Huari culture. It is composed of rectangular buildings with trapezoid doors, separated by steps, small squares. Although its treasures have been plundered, it is possible to distinguish its traces.

 

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Between the Pinchollo and Maca villages, the former Inca engineers, in big rocky blocks, reproduced the terraces at scale and calculated the hydraulic irrigation system. Very near, there are the “suspension tombs” in the craggy and not accessible slopes of the Peñablanca hills, where the Collaguas buried their dead persons.

 

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Located at 3 hours of long walk from Cabanaconde. In this place, the waters arise from the cliffs, forming small falls or water wells, where condors take their bath. There’s also a pre-Inca fortress in this place.

 

 

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