Colca Canyon Trek - PICS!!

Two condors chillin'

We have returned from our Colca Canyon trek and it was AMAZING!! The views were beyond gorgeous and the weather was perfect. The hike in was pretty intense...it reminded me of the Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon only a little shorter. On the first day, we stopped to see all the condors that live in the canyon. They were considered holy spirits or gods by the Incas, and after seeing them in person I can understand why! They were humongous and beautiful. We sat and watched a bunch of them fly around for awhile and then were on our way to begin the trek.

 

Beginning of the canyon and hike

Part of the trail with Jack

We bagan with a couple hours of hiking down into the canyon to the first village where we would stay for the night. It was a long way down! Luckily, we did the three day trip instead of the two day, so we stopped once we reached the first village. It was beyond gorgeous...we got to stay in little adobe-type huts on the edge of a cliff that overlooked the major river that runs through the canyon. It was almost like a jungle with so many plants growing and all types of neat fruits and veggies. There were also some beautiful animals....we have seen a lot of kitties with different colored eyes. This little beauty tried to eat our dinners the first night! And the second. And anytime there was food :)

The canyon has a lot of exports of fruits and veggies, but there are no real cars or roads down in the canyon. The only way in and out is by hiking what we hiked down into the canyon (and a similar trail out the other side). So often, you see people or mules carrying everything. Very impressive, seeing as I was a whiney mess with my teeny little daypack :)

Oasis!

The second day we stayed in a place called Paradiso Oasis. It was literally the most welcome site! Beautiful scenery and a pool as well as really nice adobe rooms. We got to rinse off and be lazy for a day, hanging out by candlelight at night and listening to the river outside. Pretty sweet! We enjoyed it while we could, because the next day we woke up at 4:30 and began the brutal hike out.








It was two and a half hours straight up to the top of the canyon. Literally. I was amazed my legs weren't complete jello by the end of it, because I have never used them so continuously and aggressively, I swear! That is probably a lie, but still. I am very proud of us! Now we are back in Cusco after an overnight 10 hour bus ride (Peruvian buses are BOMB by the way...like beds!). We are here for a few more day and then back to the states!

Me pointing to where we have to hike out...
the tiny little trees in the top left!

We did it! And a half hour quicker than we thought we would!