Colca Canyon
Home to some of Peru’s most captivating scenery, Colca is one of the world’s deepest canyons and a superb place to trek.
Colca Canyon Treks
With a depth of 10,730 ft, Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world and stretches around 70km.
We highly recommend including a visit to Colca, staying at least a night to give you time to walk in the afternoon and return early in the morning from a nearby lodge to watch the sunrise and the condors soaring up from the canyon on the warm air drafts. These extraordinary birds with the largest wingspan of any flying bird and a lifespan of around 70 years can be seen at close range as they fly past the canyon walls.
Wildlife is often spotted in this beautiful area of Peru. The giant hummingbird, the Andrean goose, and Chilean flamingo can all be seen as well as animals such as foxes, deers, chinchillas and vicunas – a relative of the alpaca. This is also a colourful cultural part of the country where local people maintain their ancestral traditions and cultivate the pre Incan steep terraces.
- Visit the world’s deepest canyon
- See the Andean condor
- Stunning views and landscapes
- Stay in a beautiful lodge overlooking the Colca River
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Best time to go visit Colca Canyon
The Colca Canyon can be visited throughout the year but we would recommend going between March and June when you’ll find the trekking trails in good condition.
During this time of year the iconic condors are most active and you have a much higher chance to see them during this dry season. The more important factor in seeing the condor is actually time of day so head for morning or late afternoon for the best chance of spotting them soaring through the skies.
The rainy season in the Colca Canyon ends in March and is a lovely time to start visiting. This is the start of a good time for trekking in the area when you can expect sunny days and cool nights.
Best time to go visit Colca Canyon
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Colca Canyon (FAQS) NEED TO KNOW
How fit do I need to be to trek the Colca Canyon?
A reasonable level of fitness is required if you wish to undertake a multi day trek in the canyon. Treks can be anything from two days upwards and there are a variety of routes. The trek out of the canyon, ascending a 1000m in the day, can be fairly punishing. A Colca Canyon trek is usually considered by those who are spending at least two weeks in Peru – there is simply too much else to see.
How many days are treks in the Colca Canyon?
Most trekking routes can be done in two days with an overnight stay in one of the villages. However, the trek is challenging and we would recommend taking at least three days for the Colca Canyon trek. This gives you more time to appreciate the villages you walk through without being completely exhausted. Overnight accommodation can either be in a private camp or in a comfortable lodge on the canyon floor.
Is it safe to take children to the Colca Canyon?
It is not advisable to consider a trek with children under 15 as a high degree of stamina is required for the long ascent, as well as the descent. Of course seeing the canyon from the top is a fantastic experience for any age child – being twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, it is an extremely impressive sight.
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