“I see a condor.” yelled a watcher at the edge of Colca Canyon, Peru. It was a shout almost drowned out by the “oohs” and the clicking of cameras as the first of the giant condors soared on an updraft toward Colca Canyon’s rim. Colca Canyon, Peru, is twice the depth of the Grand Canyon, and it's home to many giant condors – birds with 12-foot wide wing spans.
Condors Soar in the Two-Mile Deep Colca Canyon, Peru
Two-mile deep Colca Canyon is off the radar screen of most Americans planning a trip to Peru, but it’s one of the most memorable places in the country. This giant gash in the earth isn’t easy to get to, but when you’re standing at the Cruz del Condor lookout gawking at the swooping giant condors you know it’s worth the five-hour drive on rugged dirt roads over 17,000-foot-high passes. Some say it's the deepest canyon in the world; other's claim there's another canyon nearby that's a tad deeper. The argument is ongoing.
A crowd at the Cruz del Condor lookout area is comprised of a 100 or so tourists on a busy day – and very few are American. The babel of languages is part of the charm, as you explore this remote region of Peru.
Stopping because there’s not enough room to drive past a cow and calf blocking the rutted road is a good excuse to peer over the edge of the canyon and take another picture. As you drive the narrow road with crumbling edges that are etched into the canyon’s sides, you’ll pass local women carrying heavy loads on their backs or herding laden donkeys, and crops growing on terraces that were hacked out of the earth in pre-Inca times.
Wash Road Dust Away in the Hot Springs
Toward day’s end, the hot springs alongside the river flowing through the canyon is a popular gathering spot. It’s easy to start conversations comparing the day’s events with travelers from other part of the world.
How To Reach Colca Canyon
The journey to Colca Canyon is part of the experience. It’s a five-hour drive Arequipa, Peru’s second largest city, much of it over rough dirt roads. But, you travel over 17,000-foot-high passes with incredible views and stop at the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where you’ll get a better understanding of this rugged landscape high in the Andes.
Trip Length and Tour Operators
Some tour operators offer day trips to the canyon, but it’s a very long day during which you’ll spend most of the time in a vehicle, with some fast stops to see the giant condors and a few other sights. You’ll have a more memorable experience turning the visit into a three-day trip. Dasatariq is a well-respected travel company with offices in major Peruvian cities who can arrange a visit to Colca Canyon.
Where to Stay in Colca Canyon
There are a few hotels in Chivay, the biggest town at the canyon, plus a few on the rim. For a special experience stay at the Orient-Express Hotels’ ecolodge Casitas del Colca, which sits on the brink of the canyon.Pictures of Colca Canyon, Peru
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