Peru Colca canyon tour

Colca Canyon - This canyon formed by the river Colca river in southern Peru.
The Guinness Book of Records for the year 1984, the Colca Canyon is called the deepest in the world, twice deeper than the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA. But it is almost impossible to compare them, it was too different. A characteristic feature of the Colca canyon and its surrounding valleys is that they inhabited. Ever since pre-Inca times here settled peoples Collagua and Cabana.

22 photos via Andreev

1) To get to the Colca canyon in two ways: from Arequipa, as does most of the tourists, or from Huambo, as did we. In this case, it will have to overcome 140 km of gravel road is very bumpy but beautiful.





2) GPS to show the maximum height of 4200 meters. The car (Suzuki Jimmy) stiffened by all means, rumbling, grumbling, but went.



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4) All the way we were accompanied by cactuses. And not only quite bored pear (after Big Bend), but also graceful high Peruvian torch cacti (Trichocereus peruvianus), with large yellow flowers.



5) The fauna too pleased. First, almost comic scenes, when we were due to the hill crowd poured out goats and sheep, stretched into a thin line at the top of the hill.



6) And then we saw the rare animals of the family of camelids vicuna. Externally vicuna remind the guanaco, but smaller, more slender and graceful, and much more timid. We met a group of grazing in the tall grass, almost merging with it. Close not only not admitted, and even rushed to their heels, it had only to leave the car.



7) Often the road to Colca canyon passes through small villages. Each of them felt it my duty to put on a solid entry and exit arches with a greeting.



8) The locals went to the elegant, bright clothes. And it did not matter - whether they work in the field, selling souvenirs, or just relax in front of his house, looking at passing.



9) that feature Peruvians we really liked. It was felt that they dressed up is not for the amusement of tourists.



10) The Colca Valley is known by many names: The Lost Valley of the Incas, the Valley of Wonders, the Valley of Fire, The territory of the condor and other. It seemed as if time has stopped here, and we look at some historical film.



11) The road, meanwhile, was taking higher and higher. Many people are just coming down here "gornyashka" (altitude sickness).



12) Natural fence improvised.



13) So, periodically stopping, drove to the famous Mirador, areas Cruz del Condor, where the people in the gorge takes soaring Andean condors. We decided to do it the next morning, but for now just admire the scenery discovered. At the time, the setting sun successfully highlight "Mirador", having rested in the wall of the canyon. The result was a real "end of the world."



14) The walls of the gorge covered with abundant silver agave.



15) Banister or no fences at the edge of the canyon there, so you need to walk carefully not to be screwed with a height of 1200 meters.



16) It seems that the locals have used every piece of land in order to stick to your vegetable garden.



17) Multi-level agricultural terraces.



18) The gardens, terraces, perfect harmony with the landscape. Notice how close a road to the edge of the gorge (lower right part of the photo).



19) The gardens a slightly different design on the opposite side of the canyon.



20) Local kids exploit donkeys.



21) Donkeys pulled away in the dust after a busy day.



22) A winding road through the valley of Colca.



"And the words froze in his chest ...»

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