A valley, a bunch of towns, several snowcapped mountains,
tens of cultivation terraces. A waterfall, a couple of hanging
bridges, a "puya" forest and also a cactus one.
Pre-Hispanic and historical ruins and Aimaran mummies, waris
and incas; but above all a gigantic, huge and fantastic canyon:
Cotahuasi, the deepest canyon all over the world that has
3,535 meters depth according to the researchers' opinion.
This destination in Arequipa is such amazing! Here, geography
is cut by powerful rivers, exciting ravines and deep abysses.
Populations, unaware of time passing by, keep their old countenance,
refusing to change, refusing to lose their old habits.
Cotahuasi Canyon near the city of Arequipa in Peru is considered
deepest of the Americas. Its maximum depth is 3535 meters
in the sector of Ninancocha, 335 meters more than the Colca
Canyon, but less deep than several canyons in the Himalayas.
The Cotahuasi Canyon is an impressive edge that the river
has opened between two enormous mountainous bulks: the Coropuna
(6425 m.s.n.m.) and the Solimana (6093 m.s.n.m.). One extends
from spurs of the snow-covered Solimana to the confluence
with the Ocoña river. It is formed by the Cotahuasi
River, the one that is born in the lagoon of Huanzococha to
more than 4750 m.s.n.m. and later it receives the contribution
of the Huayllapaña river in the neighborhoods of Pampamarca,
by the north, and the Huarcaya next to Tomepampa, towards
the west, crosses thus all the canyon later to be united with
the Maran River and to form the Ocoña River that ends
at the Pacific Ocean. Cotahuasi Canyon is thought to be the
deepest canyon in the world.
Itinerary
Day 01: Arequipa to Cotahuasi
We will pick up from your hotel and we leave from Arequipa
City to the Cotahuasi Canyon. In the way we will visit Toro
Muerto Petroglyphs and Pre-Inca tombs. Then we will visit
the Majes valley, Andamayo Canyon and we can observe the geological
natural formation called the Castilla Castle. Continue to
Cotahuasi Canyon by private card. We arrive at Cotahuasi town,
rest at the hotel (L+D).
Day 02: Cotahuasi - Sipia Waterfall
After breakfast we start our trek in the Cotahuasi Canyon
, descending 4 hours, to the valley of Piro , Cuyao bridge,
Toro bridge and finally arriving to Sipia waterfall. This
day we can see geological walls of the deepest Cotahuasi
Canyon in the world, a spectacular large river going to
the pacific ocean that can be appreciated in this beautiful
place and the variety of colours contrasts. This is a lovely
place the wild geography in the Cotahuasi Canyon. In the
afternoon we will return to Cotahuasi Town. (B+L+D).
Day 03: Cotahuasi - Puica - Luicho
Hot Spring
Early morning (6:00a.m) after breakfast, we continue our
trek to highlands small village, called Puica (3600 meters
above sea level). This is a typical village with several
habitants dedicated to the agriculture and domestic animals.
From here we start walking , approximately 2 hours, to Jatun
Llaqta archeological site. This is well-connected with Wari
culture and Inca times, and was used as administrative center
by the Inca army of this zone. After lunch we will descend
(4 hours) the Canyon and Alca valley. We arrive to Alca
town and visit / swim in the medicinal hot springs of Luicho
that are 45º C. (B+L+D).
Day 04: Cotahuasi - Back to Arequipa
After a solid breakfast we will start to walk to the left
of the Cotahuasi River. This day we will walk 6 hours until
Cotahuasi Town, going through terraces areas, small towns,
suspension bridges, little rivers that flow into the Cotahuasi
Canyon. We will stop briefly in villages and we can observe
the local people doing daily activities etc. Approximately
at 2:00 p.m we will come back to Arequipa City. (B+L).
B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner
Inca
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