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Colca Canyon

Colca Canyon (Peru)

Practical information on Colca Canyon

  • Encounters with locals
  • Viewpoint
  • Hiking / Trekking
  • Mountain
  • River
4 / 5 - 4 reviews
How to get there
Two hours from Chivay by bus
When to go
Between April and November
Minimum stay
1 to 2 days

Reviews of Colca Canyon

Seasoned Traveller
129 written opinions

An epic adventure awaits you at  Colca Canyon! The trip involves a 3200-metre descent down to the river bed. 

My suggestion:
An enjoyable place to stop at on the way to Colca Canyon is Cruz del Condor. It's basically a lookout point offering views out over the canyon and from where, if you have more luck than I did, you'll get to see condors gliding through the air. The best time to visit is very early in the morning.
My review

The numerous terraces cut into the Colca Valley are part of a pre-Incan system of agriculture that's still in use today by the region's Andean communities. Along the road leading to Cabanaconde – the small village where the canyon adventure really begins – I encountered several communities worth stopping off at.  

The descent down to the bottom of Colca is quite steep and demanding. This is the world's second deepest canyon. When I visited, I fully arranged everything so that I could spend the night there. You can actually camp right at the bottom of the gorge, or you can rent a very simple, though sufficiently comfortable, room. The next day, after a restful night far from civilisation, I tackled the climb back up to the top. Don't forget your water bottle! I personally found myself short of water after just one hour's walking, and that with a blazing sun beating down too. It's an experience that's guaranteed to leave you with unforgettable memories, though perhaps not for the right reasons!

Colca Canyon is one of Peru's most popular destinations. However, there is something a little sinister about the place for many Peruvians, with it having been the site of several disappearances. One such case received a great deal of media attention and even served as the inspiration for a  telenovela  (a serial television drama) that was shown across the whole country.  

Cruz del Condor
The starting point for the canyon trip
Seasoned Traveller
129 written opinions

An epic adventure awaits you at  Colca Canyon! The trip involves a 3200-metre descent down to the river bed. 

My suggestion:
An enjoyable place to stop at on the way to Colca Canyon is Cruz del Condor. It's basically a lookout point offering views out over the canyon and from where, if you have more luck than I did, you'll get to see condors gliding through the air. The best time to visit is very early in the morning.
My review

The numerous terraces cut into the Colca Valley are part of a pre-Incan system of agriculture that's still in use today by the region's Andean communities. Along the road leading to Cabanaconde – the small village where the canyon adventure really begins – I encountered several communities worth stopping off at.  

The descent down to the bottom of Colca is quite steep and demanding. This is the world's second deepest canyon. When I visited, I fully arranged everything so that I could spend the night there. You can actually camp right at the bottom of the gorge, or you can rent a very simple, though sufficiently comfortable, room. The next day, after a restful night far from civilisation, I tackled the climb back up to the top. Don't forget your water bottle! I personally found myself short of water after just one hour's walking, and that with a blazing sun beating down too. It's an experience that's guaranteed to leave you with unforgettable memories, though perhaps not for the right reasons!

Colca Canyon is one of Peru's most popular destinations. However, there is something a little sinister about the place for many Peruvians, with it having been the site of several disappearances. One such case received a great deal of media attention and even served as the inspiration for a  telenovela  (a serial television drama) that was shown across the whole country.  

Cruz del Condor
The starting point for the canyon trip
David Debrincat Seasoned Traveller
459 written opinions

180km from Arequipa, the Canyon de Colca is the second deepest canyon in the world. It's time for beautiful walks at the heart of marvellous landscapes.

My suggestion:
The 2-day walk follows the same route as the 3-day one. I advise you choose the former as it is less expensive and largely sufficient.
My review

It is 01:55am and I am leaving for 2 days of hiking at the bottom of the Canyon de Colca. A highlight of my trip to Peru. Let's go together.

After the first stop at Cruz del Condor to admire the majestic flight of the condors, the hike begins. With a depth of 3,400m, this canyon is the second deepest in the world. The deepest is actually its close cousin, the Cotohuasi. The landscapes are superb. A river snakes along at the bottom of this enclosed valley. The hike continues, surrounded by mountains, and it is magnificent.

I wake up the next day at 04:30am. The night walk begins at this time to be able to see the sun rise over the canyon. Three hours of walking begin, all uphill. It's tough, but magical when the sun's rays finally decide to appear and drench the canyon in their light. The effect is otherworldly, and all fatigue is instantly forgotten.

The Canyon de Colca
David Debrincat Seasoned Traveller
459 written opinions

180km from Arequipa, the Canyon de Colca is the second deepest canyon in the world. It's time for beautiful walks at the heart of marvellous landscapes.

My suggestion:
The 2-day walk follows the same route as the 3-day one. I advise you choose the former as it is less expensive and largely sufficient.
My review

It is 01:55am and I am leaving for 2 days of hiking at the bottom of the Canyon de Colca. A highlight of my trip to Peru. Let's go together.

After the first stop at Cruz del Condor to admire the majestic flight of the condors, the hike begins. With a depth of 3,400m, this canyon is the second deepest in the world. The deepest is actually its close cousin, the Cotohuasi. The landscapes are superb. A river snakes along at the bottom of this enclosed valley. The hike continues, surrounded by mountains, and it is magnificent.

I wake up the next day at 04:30am. The night walk begins at this time to be able to see the sun rise over the canyon. Three hours of walking begin, all uphill. It's tough, but magical when the sun's rays finally decide to appear and drench the canyon in their light. The effect is otherworldly, and all fatigue is instantly forgotten.

The Canyon de Colca