It’s a must-see place to visit in Peru for the unmissable scenery, the unique flora and fauna and the fascinating insights into the customs of Peru’s people before Inca colonisation.
Journey from Puno to Colca Canyon to experience the magnificence of nature — this stunning part of Peru is calling out to curious travellers and lovers of nature.
Exploring the Colca Valley
The Colca Valley is a deep canyon formed by a major faultline that fractured many centuries ago. Over time, the flow of the Colca River eroded the volcanic rock of the valley, forming the world’s current deepest canyon.
This region is stark and beautiful, home to endangered native wildlife and enormous birds of prey. Beginning with the town of Chivay, let’s explore the Colca Valley to see why so many include it on their Peru itinerary.
Chivay
Chivay is a town over 3.6km above sea level and is known as the entry to the Colca Valley. Most visitors pass through Chivay on their way to the valley's main sights, and it’s worth a stop if time allows.
Before the Inca arrived, the Cabanas and Collaguas lived in this region of Peru, leaving a legacy of their customs, building styles and traditions. Below this tourist town, agriculture flourishes and above, livestock roam the upper highlands.
Chivay, Colca Valley, Peru by Fatima Trasmonte
The La Calera Hot Springs are thermal pools heated by the Cotallaulli volcano, believed by locals to have healing properties for skin, joints, and muscles, and are perfect for relaxing during any free time after a day of sightseeing. Travellers can find keepsakes at the local market held in the plaza, and shops also sell high-quality locally-made handicrafts.
Abra Patapampa, Colca Canyon’s highest point
Patapama, Colca Canyon, Peru by Flickr
About 30km south of Chivay is Abra Patapampa, the highest lookout in the Colca Valley. When the skies are clear this lookout provides a stunning vista across the mountains. It’s worth noting that the altitude here is over 4,800m above sea level, so coming here after spending some time at a high altitude to acclimatise will make the experience more enjoyable.
The name ‘Patapampa’ means ‘high flat place’ and from here the views extend to the mountains of Chachani, Misti and Pichu Pichu. Around the viewing area are ‘apachetas’, rocks stacked by travellers to give thanks for the experience.
Traditional Andean villages
Between Puno and Chivay, the town of Colca Valley, the winding roads pass through various quaint traditional villages. Patahausi sits at a fork in the road where buses and trucks stop to refuel and travellers can find snacks, a small restaurant and various handicraft stores.
Vizacachani is a small village of around 200 people. Toccra is another village on a high plain between El Misti and Colca Canyon, around 4,300m above sea level and home to various native birds and animals. It’s an excellent region for bird watching — near a high icy lake, waterfowl and flamingos can be seen in season.
Traditional Andean villages placement - Peru by David Hein
The Chucura Pass is 4,870m above sea level, with views of ochre mountainsides (when not covered with snow). If the weather is fine, it’s a stunning place to capture images.
Yanque is a quaint town with spectacular views of the Condor River and the Sabancaya and Mismi volcanoes nearby. At the plaza in the heart of the town, schoolchildren perform folkloric dances in the morning. At one side of the plaza is the Immaculate Conception Church, the most architecturally beautiful church in the valley with its baroque mestizo style.
Unique and ancient Andean agriculture
Andean agriculture placement - Colca Canyon, Peru by Marion Bunnik
Throughout the Andes Mountains, terraced rows allow locals to grow food and nourishment. The highly advanced agricultural techniques used throughout the region can be attributed to the earliest Andean inhabitants.
Using terraces to turn the mountainsides into arable land enabled denser settlements, and colcas, stone reservoirs at high elevation, stored grain and root vegetables in cold and dry conditions that meant food lasted through periods of hardship, providing stability and enabling political power to develop.
Around 600 AD, Cabanas and Collaguas lived in this region, creating the terraces that have survived to today — there’s a wonderful example of this terracing at Llaqta Cucho (meaning ‘amphitheatre’) near Yanque.
View Andean condors at the Cross of the Condor
The Cross of the Condor placement - Colca Canyon, Peru by Paul Cook
Cruz del Condor is a viewing platform where travellers can experience the magic of the Andes. Mountains rise high into the sky, the canyon spills deep below, and soaring above are the Andean condors, enormous birds with an average wingspan of 2.5 metres.
Condors are central to Andean folklore and mythology and from here, it’s easy to see why.
Wildlife of the Colca Valley
The national park around Colca Valley is home to all four species of the camelid family which includes the well-known alpacas and llamas, along with wild vicunas and the timid and rare guanaco. There are also many birds that call this valley home throughout the different seasons, from flamingos to Andean geese, Puno teals and ducks with bright blue beaks.
Vicunas are threatened wild relatives of the alpaca and they may be seen on the high plains near Colca Valley. While they are now a protected and endangered species, poachers unfortunately still hunt them for their expensive wool.
The wildlife changes with the altitude — as the trees turn to shrubs on the higher slopes the llamas and alpacas on the roadside change to vicunas in the higher areas, running and chasing each other through the open land.
Wildlife placement - Colca Valley, Peru by Marion Bunnik
Tips for travelling at high altitudes
The Colca Canyon is around the same elevation as Cusco. When visiting this region, stay hydrated, avoid heavy meals or alcohol for the first few days at high elevation, and drink the coca leaf tea (‘mate de coca’ in Spanish). It really helps!
See the Andean condor soar above Colca Canyon — an unforgettable moment in time
Embrace the moment and open up to new perspectives by witnessing the majesty of Peru’s Colca Valley. This is a once in a lifetime experience to see endangered animals in the wild, travel to high altitude and rugged mountain country and witness the raw beauty of nature in Peru’s highlands.
With a small group tour, travelling through Peru is simple. Board with a group of like-minded companions and open up to new adventures — now is the time to seek out firsthand the wonders of Peru.
FAQs
Why is Colca Canyon famous?
The Colca Canyon is famous for being the deepest canyon in the world, and a place to sight the majestic Andean condor which can be seen in the mornings soaring above the valley.
What is the closest town to Colca Canyon?
Chivay is the closest town to the Colca Valley, and the main visitor centre with accommodation, restaurants and other facilities (including hot springs!). The nearby village of Yanque is also accessible from the Canyon.
Is it worth going to Colca Canyon?
Colca Canyon is a must-see for nature lovers and those curious about pre-Incan civilisations in Peru. There’s hot springs, treks, lookouts and awesome viewpoints that make this valley well worth visiting.