The Colca Valley is a destination that combines the richness of natural scenery, towns and people of ancient customs, sources of thermal waters, and excellent sceneries for adventure sports. A route of beautiful Andean landscapes, the zone of volcanoes and snow-capped mountains, and easy observation of vicuñas in the wild or birds of the high Andes in the area of Pampa Toqra.
The Colca Valley has an unsurpassed scenic beauty, an archaeological legacy, the ancient inhabitants of the region, the rustic colonial villages of living culture, mysterious petroglyphs, caves where you can find colcas and pre-hispanic terraces, where they are still sowing.
Location:
The Colca Valley is located in the north-eastern end of the Region of Arequipa, province of Caylloma. 165 kilometers away from the city of Arequipa, and 40 km from Chivay. The main town and capital of the area of Caylloma.
Altitude:
The highest point of the Colca Valley is the Ampato mountain (6288 m.a.s.l). The lowest the confluence of the rivers Colca and Andamayo (970 masl).
Attractions:
Thermal baths La Calera:
After an unforgettable hike through the Colca Canyon, the hot springs of La Calera have the perfect temperature to replenish the energies. Its waters come from the Cotallumi volcano. It has an initial temperature that is around 80 °C to 85 °C, but in its course, this decreases to 38 °C. They contain beneficial minerals for the skin, the treatment of arthritis, and rheumatism. The waters contain 30 % calcium, 19 % zinc, and 18 % iron.
Church of the Inmaculada Concepción (Yanque):
Rebuilt at the end of the 17th century. It has a rectangular-shaped nave with a Latin cross floor plan, embedded chapels forming the arms of the transept, sacristy, and contra-sacristy. It has two towers, a bell tower each, straight buttresses, to consolidate the high sidewalls, and a sheltering arch on buttresses that protects the front side.
Church of Santa Ana (Maca):
Built-in 1760, of romanesque style with strong mestizo influence. It is located longitudinally to the main square of Maca. It is surrounded by a wall of ashlar, which has decorative elements in the form of large planters. Its plant is a Latin cross floor, and the altar with gold leaves and canvasses of the Cusco School highlight the interior.
Mirador Cruz del Condor:
From here, you can appreciate the canyon in all its splendor. Also, it is a strategic point to observe the lay-out of the iconic condor, bird of ancient great size.
Colca Canyon:
Listed as the deepest canyon in America, it reaches 4 to 160 meters in its highest point, in the town of Canco. The Mountain range of the Chila (Bomboya, Serpregina, Mismi, Quehuisha) is located on its left, and on the other side, the Hualca Hualca, Sabancaya, and Ampato. You can see Mount Ubinas and beautiful Mount Coropuna in the distance. It’s viable to start hiking into the Colca Canyon from the district of Cabanaconde.
Archaeological site of Uyo Uyo:
“Collagua” culture has compartments intended for ceremonial use and housing. The Stone field, especially spherical and of different colors, was used for its construction. It embraces a magnificent composition of landscape and ecological, ideal for hiking.
District of Sibayo:
The birthplace of the typical Rumillaqta neighborhood (The Stone Village). It is characterized by its buildings of stone and mud with thatched roofs. Its streets retain the same lay-out-out since its foundation in Cologne (1776). Highlights:
The colonial Church of St. John the Baptist:
Restored in the middle of XVIII century. It has an atrium of considerable extent, it performed the function of the atrium cemetery, and allowed the development of the collaguas funerary rituals. Built-in ashlar stone, It has a Latin-cross lay-out.
Ecomuseum of the “collagua” Culture and Craft Center, Away Wasi. The visitor can observe and participate in the process of transformation of the alpaca fiber.
Terraces:
The cultural manifestations of the original inhabitants of the Colca valley are the terraces, which are large land extensions that cover a significant part of the valley. Its construction dates back to the time of the Collaguas and Canaguas. Others are more ancient and were built by the Incas.
Flora and fauna:
The most important and remarkable inhabitant is the condor (vulturgryphus), the master of the heights, and the flying bird of larger size in the Andes. They are also worthy of mention the LequeLeque (vanellusresplendens), Guallatas (Chloephagamelanoptera), Andean flamingo or parihuana (Phoenicoparrusandinus) and among the mammals. We can mention the Andean fox or Atoq, the Skunk or Añas, wild cats or Osjos, vicuña, taruca, vizcacha, wild guinea pig, among others.
Wititi Dance:
It was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO (2015), the traditional Dance the Wititi is one of the cultural manifestations of more complex and widespread of the Valley of the Colca, Caylloma, Arequipa. It is danced in groups of couples during the main religious festivals of the rainy season, so that has social meanings and rituals linked to the agricultural cycle and the courtship loving among young people.
The main character of the dance and for whom it is named, is the wititi, a man whose dress is made up of two skirts, female overlapping, a shirt, a sling, and a montera. It is said that the use of women’s clothing was a strategy that allowed the male to approach and woo the young girls without being perceived. Another version recounts that the use of the skirt was a tactic of defense against the attack of foreign enemies.
Wititi Dance is also a representation of strength and battle-hardened character of the locals.
What activities can I do in the Colca valley?
The Colca canyon offers the adventurer geography rugged with beautiful scenery, real challenges, that will make this place the private space for adventure, excitement, and adrenaline.
Being able to go trekking, horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing, canoeing, the horse with flames, cargo, observation of flora and fauna, see geysers, waterfalls, visiting areas, prehistoric and archeological sites.
When to go?
Colca Canyon can be visited at any time of the year, the best is between March and June. That is where the condors abound, and the area is running green from the rainy season (which ends in March). That would be the ideal season since the sighting of the condor, the biggest flying bird in the world.
During the day tends to be sunny, but the weather drops quite a lot during the night(June and August). When temperatures can drop to zero degrees.
How to get there?
151 km from Arequipa to Chivay (3 hours by car and 3 ½ hours by public bus).
42 km from Chivay to the Viewpoint of the Cruz del Condor (1 ½ hour by car).
From the bus terminal of Arequipa, take a bus to Chivay. An approximate cost of 10 to 15 soles.
In Chivay, you can find out where to stay, eat, or relax in the hot springs of the town. But the most important thing is that from here, you can start the route of the viewpoints, getting to the Cruz of the Condor and other nearby villages.
The most recommended and secure option is to hire a tour operator. Because they are qualified to take you to this archaeological site in a better way and can solve any inconvenience.
The least recommended is taking a taxi, some taxi drivers offer “individual tours,” but the costs are very high.
Recommendations:
Use trekking shoes, which will protect you every step of the way.
Wears light clothing at the same time warm clothes (you never know when you will need them), especially cotton clothes.
Because of the constant changes in temperature, you should carry warm clothes (jacket, gloves, hats, or chullos, socks, warm pants),
Hydrate, take small sips of water on the road.
Carry snacks, nuts, or energy bars that will give you strength in the way.
Apply sunscreen every 2 hours minimum, and bring along a cap or hat to protect yourself from the solar radiation.
Do not leave trash in the place take care of the Environment!
It is undisputed the wonders that we have throughout the Peruvian territory. Also, the beautiful “Cotahuasi Canyon” is considered without a doubt. An excellent place to visit and also to enjoy nature and feel at peace.
For this and the different tours within the broader national territory, contact Inkayni Peru Tours. Born in Cusco, this company is dedicated to making your trip the most pleasurable and comfortable with our trained professionals; we will advise you each time, always ensuring your satisfaction, comfort, and security within our service.