Colca Canyon

The name ”Colca” refers to the small holes made in the cliffs of the canyon. These holes were used in Incan and pre-Incan times to store food, such as potatoes. They were also used as tombs for important people.

The Colca Valley is a colorful Andean valley with towns founded in Spanish Colonial times. They were inhabited by the Collaguas and the Cabanas people. Today the local people still maintain old traditions and continue to cultivate the pre-Inca stepped terraces.

The Colca River that crosses the Canyon starts high in the Andes at Condorama Crucero Alto and changes its name to Majes, and then to Camana before reaching the Pacific Ocean.

The canyon is home to the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus), a species that has seen world-wide effort to preserve it. The condors can be seen at fairly close range as they fly through the canyon walls and are an increasingly popular attraction.

CLIMATE

Colca Canyon has a rather cool and dry climate. The rainy season goes from December to March. In June, July and August temperature can drop below freezing in the nighttime. The valley is as most beautiful to visit in April and May when the grass is green and the mountains is covered with snow.

NATURAL TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Cruz del Condor & “El Mirador Del Condor”

La Calera hot springs in Chivay

TREKS TO COLCA CANYON

Colca Canyon Trekking Program 4 Day

Colca Canyon Trekking Program 3 Day