"Colca Canyon" Colca by darthmilmo

Colca Travel Guide: 105 reviews and 311 photos

Mirador del Condor at Colca Canyon

From Arequipa, I took a bus to the nearby Colca Canyon for a couple of days of fun. It’s an amazing bus ride. I woke up just as we entered the Colca Canyon, which is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The vegetation is so different that you cannot compare them both. Watching the snow peaks as we entered the canyon was spectacular. I took the bus all the way to the end of the canyon on Cabanaconde. I had alpaca (similar to llama) steak for dinner that day. It was delicious. I even lucked out and got to see a lovely festival for a local saint going on at the main plaza. I opted not to hike into the canyon today and instead to get a nice view of the unique Andean condors at the Mirador Cruz del Condor. The best view times are early in the morning. Watching the condors at el mirador was a highlight on the Colca Canyon trip. It is amazing how they fly, more like glide, in air in the majestic canyons. I got too see 3 condors flying above me at short distance, of course my camera was not ready (Murphy's Law at its best I guess). Oh yeah, the view of the canyon was breathtaking as well. It was impossible to take a full picture from top to bottom of canyon wall on one photo. I returned that afternoon to Arequipa and took a night bus to Cusco.

Last visit to Colca: Dec 2000
Intro Updated Dec 1, 2002
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Reviews (6)

Mirador del Condor Things to Do (4)

Mirador del Condor This is a great place to watch for Andean Condors. The best time is early in the morning. If you... more travel advice

Getting there and around Transportation (1)

As in anywhere in Peru, there are several local buses plying the routes of the Colca Canyon so there is no need to go in... more travel advice

Chivay Things to Do (4)

This is often the first town on the Colca Canyon where most visitors stop. The main plaza is lovely and is sourounded by... more travel advice

Cabanaconde Things to Do (4)

This town marks the the end of the line for most visits to the Colca Canyon. There is a lovely church in the main plaza... more travel advice

Restaurants (1)
Best Alpaca Steak in Peru!

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Written Sep 12, 2002

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Colca Canyon

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Comments (3)

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jmmorgan Jan 11, 2004 at 9:04 AM

The views of the canyon look awesome. Added to my list of places to visit.
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Docu2001 Nov 10, 2003 at 10:40 AM

Good mountain pics ...
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acemj Feb 3, 2003 at 1:32 PM

From the looks of that canyon, I wouldn't even care if I saw a condor. The canyon is beautiful all by itself!!