Through Glass and Prose: Colca Canyon

I landed back in the States a week ago and I'm finally getting around to sorting through and posting pictures from the rest of our travels over the last three months. First on the list chronologically is our trip to Colca Canyon. Alex had two friends visiting us from the states, Christina and Ceciley. They had plans to go to Colca, the 2nd deepest canyon in the world, while myself and my friend Jacob had plans to one-up them and spend a few days in the more remote (and deepest canyon in the world) Cotawasi Canyon. We figured separate guys and girls canyon time would be cool. However, for some reason all of the bus tickets were sold out to Cotawasi, so we scrapped our plans and I tagged along with the girls to Colca. Thanks for letting me crash Girls Hike!

I have to start by saying that Colca Canyon is TWICE AS DEEP AS THE GRAND CANYON! It is an incredible 13,650 feet deep! That's almost as deep as the tallest US mountain is tall! This may be easier than hiking into Cotawasi (because Cotawasi is more remote) but this will not be easy. Pack your bag but keep it light.

We used our usual guide company Wayki Tours and had Joel as our guide. We woke up around 3:30 AM, grabbed our bags and headed to our scheduled pick-up spot at Plaza Yanahuara. We got on a bus with a dozen other travelers who made up two different tour groups. Two hours or so later, the sun was up and we were ready to start Day 1. The descent into the canyon and down to the river, lasted about 3 hours where we crossed a bridge. From there, it was another 3 hours to the Oasis, where a refreshing pool awaited us, impossible to resist.

The following day was a steep 3 hour gluteus building workout. I will not mention names, but some of our party rode mules instead.

I took over 700 pictures on this two day hike so that could be part of the reason why it's taken me this long to make this post. That's also the reason why there will be so many pictures below, and few words. Colca Canyon top 24. Enjoy.

We were lucky to see the condors cruising at Cruz Del Condor

Early view of the Oasis as we walk away from it on the wrong side of the river towards the bridge. It kind of looks like South America from here.

oh man, I want one

Tiny Bridge!

This cross was erected by the Spanish at an ancient and spiritual place where the indigenous people worshipped only the earth through puma, condor and snake.