The world's deepest canyon

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A Colca Canyon tour is a beautiful and unforgettable experience. This canyon is home to the largest birds on planet Earth; the Condors. With a wingspan of over 10 feet (what?!!!) these majestic birds use the hot air currents to propel them up out of the canyon. Seeing these birds fly right over your head should be on your bucket list. Randy's Peru Adventures can make that happen.

 

The canyon was first populated by hunters and gathers about 6,000 years ago, Colca Canyon means “qolqas”, or "the mud and stone granaries" which are built into cliffs and caves throughout the valley. The dry, cool climate in these qolqas served as refrigerated storage for crops and seeds. Qolqas can be seen throughout the valley, although they are most prevalent in Puente Sifon in Yanque. Just like Arequipa, Colca Canyon was first settled by the Cabana and Collaguas people. They were eventually absorbed into the Incan Empire during which they perfected the terraces and irrigation systems already present.

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In 1540, the Spanish arrived, and 30 years later the natives were ordered to move into group settlements. These settlements are the roots of the current towns in the canyon. Not until 1940 was there a passable road from Arequipa to Chivay, which was built to serve the silver and copper miners. In May 1981 the Polish Cannonades rafting expedition made the first descent into Colca Canyon and determined it to be the world’s deepest canyon. It was later confirmed and published in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1986. The Cruz del Condor is a popular lookout location in Colca Canyon where the mystical and mighty Andean Condor can be seen at close range most every day. Caves of Mollepunko, Mummy of Paraqra, Forteleza de Chimpa are among the top archaeological sites in the canyon.