The trek through either the second or fourth deepest canyon (depending who you ask) was dramatically scenic. The whole hike had diverse ecosystems. Our guide educated us the wealth of uses for the insects, cacti and trees that benefit health and can be used for livelihood of the population of the canyon.
We spent 2 nights, 3 days trekking down into the canyon, through secluded villages that have no road access (they rely on mules to carry in essentials), and then headed out of the canyon before sunrise and breakfast on our last day.
Plaza De Armas in Arequipa (yes same name of the square in Cuzco)
Santa Catalina Monastery
"A city within a city." The monastery was several city blocks.
The beginning of the hike looking down into the canyon.
A Native Peruvian tending her sheep.
The end of the hike the first day.
Our first night's stay, the roaring river was feet from our bamboo hut.
View of the Canyon.
Marcelo, our guide, walking along irrigation canal leading to the village where we ate lunch.
View from the very bottom of Colca Canyon.
Our second night accommodation. There was actually a working light bulb inside this one.
Hiking out of the Canyon before sunrise.
The top! We climbed the 1200 meters vertical in 2 hours and made to breakfast by 8 am.
Cabanaconde (the town our hike ended in) has a meeting every Sunday. The mayor addressed the crowd and discusses the pasts week's news and divides the next week's community work.
Where Colca Canyon turns into a valley. We stopped for the view on the way out of town. If you look really closely you can see Inca and Pre-Inca terraces used for farming.
We have made it to Chile. More to come from our upcoming beach towns!
How was hiking in Arequipa after being in Cusco at 11,000ft? Do you feel that you are more acclimated because being at that elevation for a couple of days? Isn't Areqiupa at a higher elevation than Cusco. Beautiful views! Looks amazing!
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