Colca Canyon Adventures...

Colca Canyon, the second deepest canyon in the world (nearby Cotahuasi is the deepest), is a scenic 3 hour drive from Arequipa. The drive takes on a steep ascent to climax of close to 5000m (15,500ft), and then a decent of 3800m to the charming mtn town of Chivay. In the pictures above you can see: 1) me posing by a sign pointing to Mt Ampata, where excavations took place for the finding of Juanita the ice mummy.

2) JLD at the hot springs outside of Chivay...well worth the trip if you do the Colca Canyon Tour.

3) an Andean condor flying above Colca Canyon. I really enjoyed this part of the excursion.

4) Llamas being hearded down a mountian rode above the canyon.

The altitude is very high on this tour so if you take the tour be prepared to get a head rush when you go over the mtn peaks. I sprinted for about 100m so that I could feel the altitude and almost fainted. Best to bring some fresh coca leaves if you can find them to help with the altitude.