Colca Canyon

---

The Colca Canyon is the deepest canyon in the world and is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. We spent an amazing few days here travelling first though the Colca Valley and then into the Canyon. Here the people maintain a tradional way of life, farming the near vertical Inca terraces. The canyon is at very high altitude so the hiking here almost killed us, but we are told it is good practice for the Inca Trail. The Coca plant is used to help reduce the effects of altitude so we have been consuming plenty of coca tea, coca cookies, coca toffee etc.

On the way we spotted vicuna, llamas and alpacas (delicious grilled on hot stones).

On the second night we were lucky enough to have dinner with a local family who made us very welcome and even killed and cooked a guinea pig for the occasion. Despite their very basic living conditions in two mud floored rooms they cooked up a feast which included a starter of local cheese and potatoes followed by alpaca and vegtable stew and finally the guniea pig.

Condors spotting is one of the top things to do in the canyon so we got up early and were rewarded with an aerial display, with these huge birds soaring majestically on the early morning thermal currents all around us.

---

Photos

Colca Canyon
Road side market

Colca Canyon
Sunset in Chivay

Colca Valley
Farming the old fashioned way

Colca Canyon
Sunset over the canyon

Cabanaconde
Dressed up for dinner

Cabanaconde
Goodbye Squeaky!

Colca condors
Early morning soaring

Comments

[sheila]

Strange eating habits
It's lovely to receive your up-to-date news but I'm getting very concerned about your eating habits. Guinea pigs, alpacas, what next? I'll be sure to lock the dogs away when you come to visit next. I'm looking forward to your next adventures, the blog is almost as good as being with you. Lots of Love, Sheila

[Mum & Dad]

All I can say is that after consumming so many of those little furry things, you both deserve to be reincarnated as Puruvian Guineapigs!!! You are obvioously having a great time. Can't wait to hear about your climb on the Inka trail.