Blogs from Chivay, Arequipa, Peru, South America

David here... Our next stop in Peru was Chivay. When we looked at places we wanted to go, Colca Canyon was high on the list, next after the Sacred Valley. On a map it looked a straightforward onward journey south from Cusco. However our research showed that the route was not 'normal' in Peru, most people going the other way round or going via Arequipa, which would mean back tracking. We found one tour company - 4M Express - that offered the Cusco to Chivay route on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (with the Chivay to Cusco journey going on Monday, Wednesday and Friday). We booked the journey with 4M about a month in advance at a cost of $60 each, so quite expensive. But this was a tour and not direct transport so you got ... read more

The common denominator is down, way down, hours of just, down. But there were some other similarities... about half way along the Colca trail we started to see a crescent of green oasis at the bottom, and it reminded me of the view of Phantom Ranch as I'd descended the Kaibab Trail. And there were mules on the trail and a fair number of other hikers. The geology did not appear to be as interesting on the Colca, it lacks the layers of colored rocks that make the Grand Canyon so brilliant. Although there was a stunning rock outcrop that reminded me of the devils post-pile. The trail itself was in excellent shape, nicely constructed with lots of switchbacks. Bone dry so the main 'watch out' was slipping on loose grit and gravel, but no wet ... read more

Me voila a present au sud du Perou, dans la ville d'Arequipa. Je decouvre avec surprise le soleil permanent et des nuits a peine fraiches. Cela change de la Cordillere des Andes! En me baladant, j'ai decouvert cette jolie ville coloniale, dont le centre ville fut entierement construit par les espagnols. J'y decouvre de belles faÇades blanches munies de balcons qui longent les maisons, et surtout la place centrale, qui se nomme la "place des Armes". A la tombee de la nuit cette place est magnifique. On peut voir clairement 3 volcans en arriere plan, ainsi que sa cathedrale joliment illumine le soir. La fontaine d'eau et la foule peruvienne qui s'agite sur cette place donne a cette place beaucoup de vie. J'ai beaucoup aime me balade autour de cette place le soir pour chercher avec ... read more

Colca canyon Die bussie moet ons tussen 7:30 en 8:00 kom optel. 8:05 wil ons die toer mense bel om te hoor of hulle miskien van ons vergeet het. Toe ons die booking vir die ou by ontvangs wys en vra dat hy hulle moet bel , was sy reaksie in gebroke engels: "No, not late, that is normal" 8:10 het hulle ons toe kom optel in 'n heel verbasende ordentelke bussie (Mercedes bussie) Die toergids het sommer dadelik oor altitude sickness begin verduidelik, en hoekom coca leaves kan help daarvoor...iets met alkoliedes uit te waai. Ons stop toe by 'n kleinwinkeltjie, en stock op met coca leaves, coca sweeties en mineraal water, reg vir die aksie!So teen 3500m het ons die coca leaves begin kou, jy moet 25blare op 'n slag kou, anders he... read more

Went on a two day tour from Arequipa. Saw some great scenery that we had missed before due to the overnight bus ride to Arequipa. The roads are very windy and and the land is very dessert-like with many cactus and volcanic rock strewn about. We were lucky to see wild Viccuna and learned about the differences between llama, alpaca, and viccunna. I didn't try the cocoa leaves (for atlitude) as I was worried they might make my stomach upset. We reached the highest point at 4900m! Here there are rocks stacked up as offerings to the gods. I got very light-headed and had to walk so slow and sit to take some breathers. But good news - I didn´t faint and land in the squat toilet :) I felt better as we descended to Chivay ... read more