Peru is one of the 10 mega diverse countries of the world, it contains innumerable natural resources with hundreds of endemic species of fauna and flora; a paradise for the observation of birds and orchids or for the exploration of mythical and remote natural landscapes, some still virgin, always full of life.
The rivers that originate in the Andes range from the western slope to the coast and from the eastern slope to the jungle, with waters that form the Peruvian valleys and flow into the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. Such is the case of the gigantic Amazon River that has its sources in Peru and its mouth in Brazil.
In some cases, the routes that these rivers make work landscapes with deep canyons formed by nature during centuries or the falls of waters surrounded by a varied vegetation.
Located to the north-east of the Arequipa region at about 3 600 m s.n.m., very close to the Ampato and Sabancaya volcanoes, is the Colca Canyon, considered one of the deepest in the world, reaching approximately 4,160 meters depth. With an Andean vegetation privileged by its climate, this impressive valley belongs to the province of Caylloma.
From the Mirador de la Cruz del Cóndor, visitors can enjoy the flight of this majestic bird in danger of extinction that inhabits the canyon. Its varied fauna will make the traveler can also enjoy the presence of animals such as alpaca, vicuña, vizcachas, foxes, pumas, eagles, hawks, owls, among others. In addition, the biodiversity of Arequipa is so extensive that it allows us to see the field poppy, the ichu, the tolar, the yareta, the quiñoa and other herbs.
In the Colca Canyon, tourists will have the opportunity to practice extreme sports such as canoeing, mountaineering, mountain climbing, fishing, trekking, among others. This canyon belongs to the Colca Valley, a large agricultural site that has viewpoints to enjoy the landscape and still maintains its ancestral customs for the Collaguas people, former inhabitants of the area.
The Colca tour of 1 day, we begin with the pick up of the passengers of their respective lodgings at 2:30 a.m. to 3:00 a.m., then go to the town of Chivay, where we will stop to have breakfast and be able to buy tourist tickets , then we will continue our journey to the Cruz del Cóndor with a time of 1 hour and 30 minutes, in the Cruz del Cóndor we can appreciate the formation of the canyon and the flight of the Condor.
In the area we will be about an hour, then we will go to visit the natural viewpoints of Wayrapunko, Antahuilque, Choquetico place where we can appreciate the work of our pre-Inca ancestors, hanging tombs and litho-scale models, returning with the respective stops of the villages of Maca and Yanque and finish in Chivay to be able to go to the hot water pools, to relax for about 1 hour, then return to the town of Chivay and lunch and return to the city of Arequipa where we will arrive at approximately 04:30 p.m.
The Cotahuasi Sub-basin Landscape Reserve (RPSCC) is located in the province of La Union, 9 hours and 30 minutes by car from Arequipa, the valley allows you to visit traditional villages and enjoy hot springs, the Sipia waterfall and the geological faults of the canon. With 3,562 meters of depth, it is one of the largest in the world.
The Cotahuasi Sub-basin is a representative sample of the Tropical Andes of southern Peru, which, due to its location in the Southern Andes and the upper reaches of the Ocoña River, has unique geographical conditions that result in biological diversity of global importance in each of its twelve zones of life, the same that are distributed in a space that goes from the 950 msnm and it rises by the canyon until snowed superiors to the 6,100 msnm.
In the surroundings of the canyon, temples and archaeological zones have been identified with extensive and ancient platforms that reflect the ingenuity of the native peoples in adapting to their environment, conserving the ecosystem in a harmonious way.
It has impressive landscapes surrounded by the Coropuna and Solimana snowcapped mountains and with the Sipia Waterfall, which has a free fall of 150 meters and forms a permanent rainbow to the delight of visitors. It is a perfect setting for adventure sports such as trekking, canoeing, paragliding, hang gliding, mountain biking, rock climbing, fishing and horseback riding.
The valley of Cotahuasi is surrounded by beautiful and picturesque villages with colonial churches, which mostly maintain their traditional characteristics. Its archaeological attractions range from cave paintings from time immemorial to roads and Inca buildings of great splendor.
At the bottom of the Canyon is the Sipia Waterfall, which has a free fall of 150 m, where beautiful rainbows are frequently formed that appeal to tourists who come to this area.
In addition, we can not fail to mention the imposing valley of the volcanoes, the stone forests, the varied hot springs and the forests of beautiful Raimondi Puyas.
Geological complex located in the district of Suykutambo, province of Espinar, Cusco region, at 4,801 meters above sea level. It is a point where the gorges of three rivers converge: Apurímac, Callumani and Cerritambo to join in the Great Apurímac. It presents imposing geological formations of volcanic origin 80 meters high, and forest richness composed of queñuas (Polylepis) and tholas (Parastrephia lepidophylla). With rock formations 80 meters high, of volcanic origin, which give rise to their name and where they cross the rivers.
The rivers, slopes and plains of the area facilitate the practice of adventure sports such as trekking, paragliding, canoeing and rock climbing. Every year the Festival Ecodeportivo de Turismo y Danza Autóctonas takes place in the place.
Impressive natural scenery located between the departments of Apurímac and Cusco. In an area of its route marks the division between the departments of Cusco and Apurímac, forming a very deep canyon of singular beauty. It is an ideal place for rafting as it has unique rapids and waterfalls of high degrees of difficulty. Apurimac River Rafting.
The valley is two hours from the city of Abancay. It is located at 3,600 meters above sea level with impressive landscapes such as the Salcantay mountain range. It is a perfect circuit for trekking.
Nearby you can find the thermo-medicinal baths of Cconoc and the archaeological complex of Choquequirao, called the last bastion of the Incas, with an andenería that seems to be suspended in the air.
From any of the viewpoints, the landscape is contemplated: Cóndor Huachana, San Cristóbal, Capitán Rumi, Taramocco, Capulioc, Kiuñalla, Cachicuna and Huascatay.
Located 25 km north of Caraz.
Formed by the Santa River as it passes through the Callejón de Huaylas, it is the place where the Cordilleras Blanca and Negra are closer to each other. The canyon, located between 1400 and 1850 meters above sea level, is 15 meters wide and almost 1000 meters deep.
The Duck Canyon hydroelectric plant is located in the place, which supplies electricity to almost the entire middle north of Peru.
