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The Colca Canyon

Described by visitors as "spectacular," the Colca Canyon, Peru region is definitely on our list of recommended destinations.

Although one of the lesser-known tourist destinations in Peru, the Colca Canyon area is rapidly gaining in interest.

On this page:

What is Colca Peru?

About the Colca Canyon

Special Features of the Canyon

Culture and Customs

Additional Activities

Here are some details of why it is becoming
so popular.

What is Colca Peru? The Colca Canyon?

Colca is a river in an area located in the extreme north-east of the Arequipa region, a few hours north of the city of Arequipa, Peru.

Carved by the Colca River, the Colca Canyon is one of the most important travel destinations of Peru.

Colca Canyon, Peru Mirador del Condor Colca Peru Canyon mirador del condor

- by Jose Porras

The Colca Canyon is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the United States.

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What is special about the Colca Canyon in Peru?

The Colca Canyon in Peru has a number of attractions.

First of all, it is the most remarkable canyon in the world. At its deepest point, the canyon falls from its rim to its floor for an incredible drop of 13,648 feet (4,160 meters).

From the "mirador" (lookout) at the Cruz del Condor (Condor Crossing) you can see condors, the world's largest bird, in full flight. The canyon at this point is 3,960 ft (1,200 meters) deep.

Colca Canyon, Peru Condor Colca Peru Condor

- by Colegota

The condors catch the uprising warm drafts along the sides of the canyon, and usually can be easily seen by the visitor in early morning and late afternoon. Watching the condors at the Colca Canyon is becoming a new major tourist attraction in Peru.

During the your visit, you can see interesting natural landscapes as well as, llamas, alpacas, guanacos, vicuna and vizcachas.

Features of Colca Peru: Formation and Geography

This valley developed along a fault line in the earth's crust. Erosion during the course of thousands of years by the longest river in the Peruvian coast then deepened and defined the canyon.

The Colca River itself is more than 200 kilometers (124) miles long, about 65 kilometers of its length are within the Canyon. The only way to see the full length of the canyon is by raft or kayak. The combination of rapids and remoteness are part of what many consider one of the best river trips in the Western Hemisphere.

The highest ridges are up the permafrost region of the high Andes mountains. The valley floor thousands of feet below is much more temperate.

There are 14 villages spread along the course of the river valley. These towns are full of life and color.

Culture and Customs

Don't limit yourself to the unique wonders of the Colca Canyon itself. Check out the indigenous population. Descended from the ancient Collahua and Cabana peoples, the current inhabitants retain many of the old traditions - unique clothing, dances, legends, and customs.

Built on the sites of the older pueblos, the current villages were established during the Colonial Period. The archtecture reflects this period.

Near the head of the Colca Peru river canyon, pre-Inca terraces are still in use for agriculture.

Additional Activities

In additon to the animals mentioned above, there are more than 100 species of birds and 300 species of plants in the Colca Canyon, some 32 of which are of the cactus family.

Colca Canyon, Peru
Colca Peru Canyon plant life

- by Veronique Debord

The many facets of the Colca Peru area make this region ideal for hiking, trekking, canoing, climbing, and cycling as well as bird watching and photography.

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