SEE HOW IT IS

THE MOST OUTSTANDING:

• Enjoy impressive views of the Andes Mountains
• Learn about the history, culture, and wildlife of the area.
• A delicious buffet breakfast and lunch are included.
• A small group means more attention from your guide.

We will leave Arequipa early in the morning, around 3:30 am, so that we have time for a complete experience of the Colca Canyon. On our way into the canyon we will pass through spectacular mountain scenery and beautifully rugged terrain, stopping first in the small Andean community of Pata Wasi (meaning “High Home”). Here we can see some intriguing rock formations and views of the Chachani and Misti volcanoes. To help with the altitude, we will also stop to enjoy a traditional coca tea. As we approach the city of Chivay, which sits at an elevation of 12,000 feet (3,600 m) above sea level, we will pass colorful agricultural terraces found throughout much of the Colca Valley, some of which are They date back to the time of the Inca. After breakfast we will head to the famous viewpoint, or viewpoint, known as Cruz del Cóndor (Cross of the Condor), arriving at approximately 8 a.m. The viewpoint is located near the small towns of Maca and Cabanaconde. Here, strong winds rise from the canyon, providing a favorite haunt for Andean condors, the world’s largest flying birds. They fly in thermals, often in pairs, usually in the morning and late afternoon. You may see these huge condors with their three meter wingspans flying very close huge condors with their three meter wingspans flying very close to the viewpoint, providing a truly majestic sight. After observing and taking photos of the condors, your guide will take you on a short walk near the canyon, for about 45 minutes. Then we will return to Chivay, first stopping at the traditional town of Pinchollo and the Antahuilque viewpoint. This viewpoint offers wonderful views of the 1,500-year-old agricultural terraces that curve along the slopes like an amphitheatre. You can also observe some of the enchanting lagoons of the Colca Valley. The next stop is the Choquetico viewpoint, where we can see two very interesting features. First are the tombs colgantes, or hanging tombs, built by the Aymara-speaking Collagua around 1200 AD. These burial niches were cut into the cliffs of Cerro Cabanaconde and then sealed with rock walls. To reach these otherwise inaccessible cliffs, the builders probably worked their way down using ropes suspended from trees at the top. The second interesting feature that we can see here is the litomaquette, a model of the canyon terraces carved into a rock. Continuing, we will visit the small Andean town of Maca, which is located on the slopes of the Sabancaya volcano and the Nevado Hualca Hualca. Then we will visit the town of Yanque, which houses a pretty white church, a small museum of archeology and thermal baths by the river. Then we will return to Chivay for lunch before returning to Arequipa. which is located on the slopes of the Sabancaya volcano and the Nevado Hualca Hualca. Then we will visit the town of Yanque, which houses a pretty white church, a small museum of archeology and thermal baths by the river. Then we will return to Chivay for lunch before returning to Arequipa. which is located on the slopes of the Sabancaya volcano and the Nevado Hualca Hualca. Then we will visit the town of Yanque, which houses a pretty white church, a small museum of archeology and thermal baths by the river. Then we will return to Chivay for lunch before returning to Arequipa.