Colca Canyon Day Trip with Puno Connection: Is it Worth It?
Alright, so you’re mulling over a day trip to Colca Canyon with a hop over to Puno, right? That can be a whole heap to pack into one stint, that is right. It’s quite a distance, and early wake-up calls come with it too, it is true. But it packs in so many astonishing sights that just maybe you could get memories for a lifetime. In this breakdown, what I will do is, talk you through exactly what you could experience, share insights, and give my frank opinion so you can figure out if it’s the right call for you, which will save you some heartache later.
The Allure of Colca Canyon
Colca Canyon has this draw for peeps wanting to see more than the usual tourist spots, anyway. It’s more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, just so you know, and sprinkled with charming villages where life happens at a wonderfully relaxed tempo. As a matter of fact, the vibe is almost dreamlike in those places, anyway. This gorge gets so many adventure lovers flocking in so that they see how it goes, and for peeps chasing that next incredible snap too, okay. What makes the spot quite attractive? How about the opportunity of sighting Andean condors that circle over the canyon – honestly, that’s an iconic sight.
Why go to Colca Canyon? You will find out, as a matter of fact, that the area isn’t just rocks and views: people are living their lives in its valleys. Communities going all the way back to pre-Inca days add much life to this wild territory, I am telling you, but also you get to know a bit about ancient farming habits, unique local crafts and textiles, and, very nearly, the type of fiestas I bet you have never observed elsewhere! By the way, and this can be really something, visiting makes sense to those of you wanting cultural contact on the highest level, and views and condors, so that it covers most peoples vacation boxes.
What the Day Trip Entails
Here’s the scenario. You’ll start your stint at some god awful time when most peeps are still catching their dreams, in fact (think 3 AM-ish), for real. Don’t worry too much – very commonly hotels and tour providers set you up with a simple breakfast grab to keep your tummy on quiet as you bounce up over the mountains! What occurs now, is, usually the bus gets moving out from Arequipa well before dawn and after approximately three-to-four hours we arrive at Chivay for an hour or more to loosen up.
Alright so from here comes one amongst tour highlights; it may happen quickly next so hold tight, too. A viewpoint, that might be Cruz del Condor, delivers such views into gorge abyss; this location is one-of-a-kind where these mighty Andean Condors may show off above you!
Right so keep that camera right on for now and stay tuned! Typically the itinerary next features villages like Yanque and Maca – small communities brimming so that peeps learn more of them or snag gifts and photos, almost. Finally the adventure now moves straight onto the trek all through Puno using several breaks offered so that everyone stretch their limbs when doing a six hour stretch – which takes passengers quite close to Lake Titicaca.
The Puno Connection: Seamless or Stressful?
Linking from Colca Canyon to Puno is something tourists opt to do and it allows visitors to explore Peru using efficiency and is also handy – and in lieu going for return traveling back for Arequipa that. Nonetheless know – trips as this, just this single stretch from valley areas over to shore sides off Titicaca might eat upwards approximately 6 tedious hours regarding traveling that might check individual.
Still so operators mostly set travelers through bus tours this means several bathrooms with some halts; regardless don’t just bet always regarding smooth cruises; mountainous route aspects sometimes generate twists turning which sometimes just tend leave certain traveler with an uncomfortable queasiness! You would do alright in making certain one consider each part earlier whenever choose regardless of whether switching coming from gorge upwards regarding to shore sounds more preferable!
What to Expect: A Personal Account
When I went? Man alive! Well almost a blur caused simply that start too early so as not go off my rockers, that’s basically it. Just as you like your guide just kept spitting out these astonishing historical items while this sunlight trickles gently everywhere on gorge sides – which made one just too stunned instead remain grouchy – almost, maybe!
Right, so, at Cruz del Condor viewing what majestic looking big avian shapes almost, or rather dancing around just way upward; seriously jaw hit rock for almost any split-second moment or two actually.
I noticed myself being too glad of experiencing village peeps sharing stuff or traditions and getting local crafts so that I get to enjoy that. Nevertheless, those buses got rather unpleasant just about 3pm-7pm while you might zoom closer coming straight onto Puno yet… phew.
If any insight could do any help at all? You need those sleeping pillows along! Or make certain, just perhaps, ensure any electronic things get much battery that would last many hours plus get various morsels available while those sights outside the bus come rather very similar quite quickly once almost sunset point approaches anyway too!.
Making the Most of Your Trip: Tips and Tricks
Planning stuff cleverly tends make all those huge trips successful but enjoyable so let us think what goes where just like professionals!, okay:
- Getting Acclimatized First: Colca is sitting well upwards- consider almost any extra duration around Arequipa adjusting height altitude ahead, perhaps (failing almost you probably will experience headachey moments along that excursion – no thanks).
- What Stuff Would Get Packaged Inside: Coats used as defense from winds which cut over canyons.
- Cash Gets To Remain At Hand! Little settlements rarely may use cards whenever we are discussing something unique so make sure one uses small notes inside peruvian soles anytime grabbing treat while viewing rural settlements across our roads folks!
- Get Any Trip Right: Shop and compare reviews online rather check through that service description directly as per business you are going through; keep checking others who have been before and follow that closely now!.
Is It Worth It? Weighing the Pros and Cons
Is this thing genuinely well valued with you giving money and moment from daily routine stuff? Well…it relies to some extent on precisely how yourself deals especially as an enthusiast!
Advantages? Seeing this place has fantastic condor display/ breathtaking scenery across valleys where cultures stand proudly. Linking straight via Titicaca prevents yourself almost any back and forth hassles while perhaps helping conserve moment just. Nonetheless… remember one’s alarm would wail earlier during said 3/4Am marks!! Plus people will stay travelling long tedious sections across steep regions with probable nauseated motions almost during afternoon stretches, right now.
Now while these bits tend mostly outweigh bad then I would most certainly consider yes- provide chances where one wants greatest hits out here within a shorter duration…although simply staying alert and relaxed counts. If at any time staying long across areas counts much above merely seeing stuff briefly/convenient route- might decide not have day run while heading directly up at altiplano.
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