Exploring Colca Canyon Colca Canyon Holidays & Tailor-made Tours

The Colca Canyon is one of the world's deepest canyons and home to the Andean Condor.

The Colca Canyon is the second deepest canyon in the world, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the USA. The region has its own history, culture, ruins and tradition and is a wonderful place to explore. The deep valleys and generally sunny weather provide updrafts for the soaring condors, a truly majestic sight to observe. Cacti can been seen everywhere, as well as ferns, orchids and even palm trees at the lower valley floors. 

The local people dress in traditional clothes, with white hats worn by women woven in straw and embellished with medallions and sequins.

The local Colca people still cultivate terraces along the canyon walls in many places, and many traditional towns and villages can be found all along the length of the canyon. The small, unpretentious town of Chivay is undoubtedly the most important in the area, located in the Middle Canyon on the upper part of the river where the canyon is not so deep.

In the Upper canyon, the tiny traditional village of Sibayo (altitude 3900 metres) has adobe houses with straw roofs. The village of Tuti is known for its cultivation of broad beans and the weavinh of clothes. It is also a good place for a gentle hike among some stunning scenery.

Apart from hiking and viewing the conders, you can enjoy many activities in the Colcan Canyon, including horse riding, a visit to La Calera Hot Springs and for the more adventurous Zip-lining over the Rio Colca.