Not to far from the stunning city of Arequipa, is Colca Canyon. Colca Canyon is the second deepest Canyon in the world, second to the Grand Canyon. You can hike right down to the bottom and back up again, so myself and 2 friends decided to give it a go.
When arriving at Arequipa, we had booked to stay at Selina hostels, and we had looked at the tour they offer and decided to book through them. It was a great tour and I do recommend.
Contents
Journal Of Each Day
Day 1 – Approx. trekking time 7 hours
Our alarms went off at 2:45am. We quickly got ready and were out the door of our room at Selina Arequipa. Pick up for our 2 day tour was 3am. Once we got on the bus I was able to get a good nap in, I got really good at napping anywhere as the start times in Peru were always early and the bus rides were always long.
After a quick stop for breakfast, we headed to Cruz del Condor where we watched for Condors, the biggest flying bird. I am not much of a bird watcher, but these were really cool! The scenery here was also gorgeous! From here we drove another 45 mins or so to the start of the trek.
“The view the entire way down was incredible”
We gathered at the top of Colca Canyon as our guide went over our itinerary for the next 2 days. We could just see the village where we would be staying the night. I was thinking how are we gong to do this, how do people do this everyday?! We set off down the canyon, the path was very rocky and uneven the entire way. It felt a little like an obstacle course trying to get down, which I actually found quite fun. The view the entire way down was incredible, I couldn’t stop taking photos.
When we got to the bottom we had a well earned rest next to a river bridge where there was a local lady selling drinks. Then we continued onto our lunch spot. Our lunch spot was in a little house at the bottom of the Canyon in San Juan de Chuccho, a 3 course meal serviced by a lovely older couple.
We headed to our final destination for the night, Oasis Sangalle. Passing other houses and farm animals on the way. We had a quick swim in the freezing pool before playing card games, having dinner, then getting an early night sleep.
Day 2 – Approx. trekking time 4 hours
Today was all about the climb!
The way up was steeper then the way down, as we were taking a different faster path. Looking up from the bottom it looked pretty impossible, but I was sure eventually, we would make it up.
As soon as we started walking up I felt my lungs struggle already. Being from Australia, we do not have anywhere that is a high altitude, and this was the first hike we had done on our trip. I just kept thinking, you will get there, just keep going and you will get there. Myself and my 2 friends I was travelling with were all at the back of our tour group, we aren’t super unfit, but I think our bodies were in a little bit of shock.
About two thirds of the way up, our guide stopped us 3. He said to us, if we continue at this slow pace we are not going to make it to the top in time and will miss the group. He told us we needed to catch a mule the rest of the way. There were a few groups that had past us already on mules, and to be honest, even though I wouldn’t get to the top on my own, a mule at this point sounded great. So we waited there for a mule to arrive and take us the rest of the way.
“I have never held on so tight to anything before!”
This was an experience to say the least. This climb was on a cliffs edge the entire time. When you are walking, it is freaky, but you are in control of your legs. When you are on a mule, you are not in control, and you are higher so can see more down the cliff. I have never held on so tight to anything before! The mules know exactly what they were doing and knew the way. But not being much of a mule rider myself, it was an interesting experience!
Once we got to the top, the rest of the group were already half way through breakfast. We ate and head off to the next spot.
We went into the town of Maca, we explored the town and had some drinks before going to the thermal baths. The thermal baths were great! This was exactly what we needed after a huge couple of days. We then had lunch and headed back to Arequipa around 5:30pm.
What a huge 2 days! I loved it all, and even though it didn’t finish the way I thought it would, I wouldn’t change a thing. #GoodForThePlot
Itinerary In Detail
Day 1
Pick up from Selina hostel Arequipa – 3am
Chivay – Breakfast
Cruz del Condor – watch for Condors, the biggest flying bird
Cabanaconde – Begin trek down into Colca Canyon, 10am
San Juan de Chuccho – Lunch
Oasis Sangalle – Dinner, swim, stay
Day 2
Start trek up the Canyon – 5am
Cabanaconde – Breakfast
Maca – Thermal baths and town visit
Chivay – Lunch
Return to Arequipa – 5:30
Tips
Complete training prior. This hike was one of the harder ones I completed (or rather, didn’t complete). If you can train very steep inclines, this would be best.
Acclimatise to the altitude. Arrive early to acclimatise to the altitude prior to the trek, normally they recommend 3 days, you can do 2-3 depending on what you need (especially if you are from Australia like me!). I recommend speaking to a travel doctor or GP about this for safety.
Bring a power bank. There is no electricity at the accomodation.
Have good hiking shoes. The path is not paved or flat, a good pair of hiking shoes is essential for the uneven dirt/stone paths.
Planning a trip to Peru? If you would like to read more about my trip for more tips, you can see all my Peru blogs here.
