The white city of Arequipa, has undoubtedly an extensive list of tourist attractions, both cultural and natural, and it is well known that the greatest natural attraction of Arequipa, is the Colca Canyon, home of the mythical Condor, a natural beauty, worthy of being admired.
Here is some useful information for your next trip to the Colca Canyon.
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The Colca Canyon is located in the Arequipa Region, in the province of Caylloma, Chivay.
It covers an area of more than 200 kilometers in length and a depth of about 3,600 meters on the south side and 4,160 meters on the north side.
It is currently considered the 3rd deepest canyon in the world.
During 2019 this Canyon and the surrounding area was declared by UNESCO as a World Geopark, being currently a protected area.
It is currently one of the most popular tourist destinations in Peru.
Within the Colca Valley, you can find different attractions that you can take advantage of during your visit to this wonderful place.
A tourist complex called La Calera, in the Colca Valley, was inaugurated in Caylloma.
It is a set of 5 heated pools, whose waters are attributed medicinal properties since the water of these pools originates in the Cotallumi volcano, the water descends with an initial temperature of approximately 80º.
To make it suitable for human use, it undergoes a previous treatment to reduce its temperature to approximately 38º and also to take advantage of its Calcium, Zinc and Iron content, components that are ideal to reduce muscular and bone ailments.
The entrance fee is S/. 5.00 and S/. 15.00, Peruvian, the rates vary according to how many pools you want to enter, the opening hours are from 4 am to 19 pm, every day.
In addition, a few steps from the pools, you will find the site museum where pieces found in the archaeological excavations carried out in the Colca are exhibited.
The Colca Canyon, a natural wonder, is a formation that occurred 150 million years ago approximately, during the deglaciations in the Quaternary period, and also contributed the erosive process by the passage of the Colca River. Additionally, the morphology of the Colca Canyon was shaped by the presence of the Sabancaya and Hualca Hualca volcanoes.
Currently the Colca Canyon receives many visitors every day, trekking and bird watching activities are carried out, since this is one of the points where you can still see the majestic flight of the condor, as well as other representative species such as the taruca or Andean deer, hawks, and as for the flora you can appreciate the forests of queuña, yaretas, ichus and pajonales.
This viewpoint is located at 3,287 meters above sea level, is a viewpoint that offers a privileged view of the Colca Canyon, is a perfect place to observe the flight of the condors, the recommended time is in the mornings as these majestic birds take advantage of the hot air currents to glide without making much wear of energy, since the large size of these birds, do not make flapping, if not that are carried away by the wind currents.
It is located in the district of Yanque, in Caylloma, 3 hours from the city of Arequipa.
The Uyo Uyo archaeological complex is made up of 4 sectors: Urban I and II, Agricultural Sector III and Cemetery Sector IV.
According to historians in the Colca Valley there were two villages, the Cabanas and Kullawas, the curacas resided in Uyo Uyo, and from there they took control of the water, in order to have power over agriculture, it is noteworthy that the agricultural terraces are still in use.
It is believed that the settlement that inhabited this place was the Kullawa culture that developed in approximately 1300 A.D., with Inca influence.
Later the place was abandoned during the Spanish invasion, but thanks to the wonderful architecture, the walls have been preserved in perfect condition, so that currently and thanks to the investment of the municipality of Caylloma the archaeological site has been restored, and can now receive visitors who wish to know the cultural side of the Colca Canyon.
Currently the most popular activity in the Colca Canyon is trekking, an activity that is done in tours of 2 to 4 days, these activities are oriented for a public that already has some previous experience or a good physical condition, this tour is not recommended for pregnant women or children under 10 years old.
The trekking is not really complicated, it is the altitude that causes discomfort, the trails are in good condition and well marked.
Remember that it is always better to do this type of adventure activities in the company of a tour guide specialized in trekking, you can hire the service with licensed and certified agencies.
