Complete Review: Arequipa to Colca Canyon & Chivay Excursion

So, you’re thinking about hopping on that Arequipa excursion to Chivay and Colca Canyon? Well, that trip is almost like stepping into a totally different reality, is that right? The area bursts with scenic views and interesting cultural experiences and offers sights that genuinely stay with you for the long haul. This is very much a real, deep look, isn’t it, into what you can expect, along with a few pointers from my time out there to just maybe assist in making your exploration even better.

First Steps Out of Arequipa

That leave from Arequipa, typically super early, actually sets the stage for what is arguably an unforgettable experience. Often you depart when it’s still dark. As the sun comes up, that desert view gradually turns into this landscape with these huge mountains. First you go through the Reserva Nacional de Salinas y Aguada Blanca, a location that’s so, too it’s almost surreal, featuring alpacas and vicuñas roaming rather freely. We actually paused here, if you can believe it, for some quick photos, to sort of combat the initial effects altitude has. Remember, it will likely creep up on you; altitude is fairly impactful during this portion of the trip, alright? Drink plenty of water, is that understood? I would also consider taking along some coca candies; apparently that helps with the change in altitude, or so I was told.

Chivay: More Than Just a Pit Stop

Chivay is this town that we swung by well before making it to the Colca Canyon itself. A little town is also a very good area to reset a bit, eat some food, and, potentially, get your fingers wet with some of the nearby hot springs. When I was over there, a fair amount of folks took an opportunity to get those thermal baths in working order. This just is supposedly extra nice after, that being the case, the long journey. The town’s local market, in the same way, offers a bit of that insight into everyday existence in the Andes, if you didn’t know. You can easily locate various artisan crafts and, also, nearby produced items over here. If that’s something you enjoy, maybe bargain very lightly and also take away something distinctive to remember that excursion. Actually that applies to any of these stops along the way; taking the chance to speak with some regional people really will include levels to your encounter, in fact, enriching your comprehension and appreciation for all that community offers, is that not true?

Colca Canyon: Watching Condors Take Flight

Of course, that major part: Colca Canyon is arguably the reason lots of folks choose this excursion from the start, I think. Among earth’s deepest canyons, that provides these panoramic sights that extend way far. People wake up earlier in order to swing by Cruz del Condor – which basically translates as “Condor Cross”. That area is arguably the greatest location to spot condors drifting upon those thermals. This is such a remarkable encounter. When I watched all those enormous creatures drifting so easily higher than that canyon deepness, I was literally stunned. Now I will recommend to make sure you reach pretty early, to almost combat that masses and assure the best spot; it really will become a well known place, in any case. Now, have those cameras ready and a tiny amount of persistence. Even while condors are not assured, just that grandness alone from this canyon is worthy of that trip. That is certainly part of what you are paying for!

Experiences Beyond the Canyon View

That journey is, similarly to what I said, quite distinct as well. Various organized excursions will include stops to see various towns just like Yanque and Maca, just so you see a bit of that local culture. The colonial churches as well as just the traditional clothes make a bit of insight into how that life there is different compared with everything at your house, correct? On my way around, there, too it’s almost as if you can go inside neighborhood properties and literally notice craftspeople on the grind or people consuming some kind of conventional foods. Talking with that natives brings this different measurement onto that excursion and, therefore, connects you, in some respects, greatly in some measure. By being respectful, then open and asking and paying attention to their histories, in a way, you almost have experiences, therefore, you really would not in any manner otherwise.

Dealing with Altitude

Okay, really a speedy word concerning altitude; actually don’t go treating it gently. That most ideal technique in order to actually acclimatize tends to be so easy: move slowly, potentially get there earlier. Shelling out multiple nights inside Arequipa in advance is obviously very helpful! Sip an abundance of fluids; coca tea also works well. Overexerting isn’t very good too it’s almost like it creates symptoms that can just feel quite unpleasant, in a way, slowing you significantly! Pay attention really clearly directly into whatever your entire body is undoubtedly signalling back, just in order to take rests in the event it needs to, is that not true?

Photographing the Canyon

Photographers, hear me out: The Colca Canyon will give you something great when taking images, so be mindful, basically! At dawn specifically, the delicate illumination really allows it to be so wonderful for only capturing landscapes, yet that high temperature is certainly very unforgiving. Having sufficient storage, perhaps various lens types and also defending your equipment directly into that desert wind is really really valuable and important; dust isn’t fun really. Get testing in addition to enjoy finding innovative perspectives – I guarantee, that efforts definitely is seriously very really worth the price whenever revisiting that captures afterward and, as well, just seriously actually appreciating their excellence repeatedly, is that right?

Where to Stay

For being inside of the Canyon themselves for countless days (that I do certainly highly suggest), contemplate finding places similar to Chivay plus Cabanaconde for places in order to chill in, could be? You actually just may obtain that great budget friendly hostels or a fancy spot if the budget is very forgiving in certain respects. Personally, staying somewhat over that area permitted greatly expanded exploration that, as a matter of fact, significantly decreased long transport occasions back to somewhere such as Arequipa and likewise, simply in most respects made that vacation feel further interesting along with immersive – absolutely in many ways generating extra-unique sensations, is that correct?

What to Eat

For really a true taste out from that Colca Valley attempt taking regional cuisines; very, really a well known meal often can be sopa de quinua and various recipes cooked directly inside clay-based cooking cookware, arguably! Furthermore, make sure to check out alpaca steak, as well – if that doesn’t quite jive in a ethical context (I totally understand), possibly search for any spot offering local, area cultivated greens instead – typically seriously just as superb anyway if consuming that type of choice, and much more nutritious. Don’t feel embarrassed, so to almost venture exterior typical restaurant suggestions both; you will discover a decent volume neighborhood diners (called comedores) usually giving reliable options plus awesome prices at least. A quick chat will easily almost always explain basically no challenges and is a means inside of assisting smaller institutions specifically in any event, clearly, appropriate?, is that so? I’ll admit to loving this exploration!

Is It Worth It?

Yeah for those very long days of journeying perhaps it should truly generate one wondering just whether a visit such as that, there too it’s almost like whether the Colca Valley has virtually any of the cost after it is basically considered, actually! In all respects I strongly suggest truly truly YES genuinely. That pure awe from specifically considering these birds is, furthermore the canyon itself- coupled to the authentic happenings encountered along all through is simply a bit amazing really just. You actually not just find- a geographical miracle still genuinely even furthermore find more comprehension in connection by utilizing lifestyles totally unrelated alongside an entirely entirely dissimilar heritage. It essentially grows an improved awareness in order just towards everything near us truly or in certain respects even, that which lays simply over those limitations and as well as helps me personally I actually have believe me a truly highly important element and also the type from venture truly will just probably really in fact quite literally alter everything on a level much higher also more profoundly instead of the stuff at home even anyway really.