Colca Canyon Tour

So much to do on any Peruvian tour, what you should see and what you should you miss. When traveling to Peru there are parts of the country that should not be missed. Everyone that travels to Peru visits the legendary Machu Picchu and the Cusco area of the country; yes, that area is necessary for the history and the beauty of the Andes Mountains. Many other areas also are worth your holiday time and dollar. Lima is the capital of Peru and has much to attract the visitor. Try the restaurants and see the mix of old and new cultures. The jungle should not be missed with all the natural beauty you could ever want to see. However, today we are going to talk about one of the most beautiful places in Peru and what you will see on a Colca Canyon Tour.

Located around a six-hour drive from Arequipa, a Colca Canyon tour is a must-see on your next vacation to Peru. The canyon is 13650 ft. deep and is the second deepest canyon in the world. Most people who travel to the canyon set out from the Southern Peruvian city of Arequipa. Arequipa is without a doubt one of the nicest cities in Peru, both climate and city wise. The colonial city is built from white volcanic rock, giving the city its name as the white city. Three volcanos surround Arequipa with El Misti still active.

Travel out of Arequipa and past the volcanos to the town of Chivay, the journey will take around six hours to complete passing some spectacular scenery. Once you arrive in this quaint little town, you can enjoy the wonderful hot springs at La Calera to soaking away your travel pains. From the hot springs, there are amazing views of the Andeans Mountains.

Travel from Chivay to the Colca Canyon will take an hour and the Colca Canyon is unlike any other canyon you will visit. The canyon is fertile and inhabited, with pre-Columbian terracing and traditional Andean villages, some villages date back two thousand years and the ancient peoples who built the villages also built an irrigation system in the terraces that collect water from the snow above. At the canyon, see Sabancaya Volcano that stands at 19600 feet above the canyon and is considered one of the most active volcanos in the Americas.

There are many treks that go down deep into the Canyon, staying the night at one of the many villages along the way. Walk down to the River Colca and see the village of Cabanaconde.

The best place to see the Condors in Peru is at the Cruz del Condor Mirador. From here, you will get the best views and see the wonderful Andean Condor. Native to South America the bird makes its home in the canyon. A relative of the vulture, the condor is not very nice to look at up close, but when flying the bird has a wingspan of 10.5 ft. The birds gracefully soar on the thermal drafts created in the canyon. For a once in a lifetime experience and for the most chances of seeing the condor go to the canyon in the dry season which is May to December. Make sure you take your camera, as the birds are not camera shy and do come very close.

It is also worth visiting the Canyon in the rainy season as it is very lush and green and features many flowers. Whatever time you choose to visit Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, you will see some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, sheer cliffs that rise into the sky, something that you will never forget. The added bonus is the majestic Condor to which you will get up close and personal. So do not miss out on the Colca Canyon as part of your Peru adventure.

The town of Chivay has some luxury hotels you can stay as part of your luxury tours in Peru.

Situated in a beautiful setting the hideaway and spa Las Casitas del Colca offers a rare opportunity to experience the traditional beauty of Peru. Slip into a gentle pace of life as you spend time in harmony with the astounding nature and warm local communities of this lush valley. Not only is there the luxury accommodation to enjoy but also breathtaking hikes, condor watching, trout fishing and more: the Colca Canyon offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. Back at the hotel, guests can try their hand at Alpaca feeding or unlock the secrets of local cuisine with a hands-on cookery class.

Before you decide on what tour you will take in Peru you will need some Peru travel advice, find a travel agent with years of experience in the travel industry that can advise you on the best places to visit in Peru. While on your vacation do not forget to see the magnificent Colca Canyon and the surrounding areas. While there take some time in Peru’s second city of Arequipa a pleasant city to spend some time with some of the best climates in Peru.

Peru has many wonders waiting for you to be discovered. Here in Cusco Peru Travel, our speciality is to make your trip an outstanding experience, fill-in this form and let your tailor-made luxury Peru vacation begin.