April 11 driving from Arequipa to Colca Valley

 

Arequipa is very dry so they use every available spot to grow vegetables and crops

Next morning? You guessed it, an early start to drive a little way north to Chivay the town closest to Colca Canyon and deep/high in the Andes. It was a wonderful drive and we had the most delightful driver and as a unexpected bonus we had him and the car all to ourselves – the ongoing civil unrest on top of Covid has severely affected tourism in Peru. But back to the drive … The scenery was absolutely breathtaking but the roads in many places were challenging as we were driving on the main road to Cusco so there was a lot of traffic and in places where we wound around mountainsas it was quite treacherous as well.

A mix of llamas and alpacas

Our driver was intent on ensuring that our visit was memorable so he stopped often and drove slowly so we could drink in the mind-blowing countryside.  We ascended from Arequipa winding our way through amazing landscapes, surrounded by towering mountains and puffing volcanoes, past flocks of vicuña, alpacas, llamas and even some scattered guanacos. Past ginormous Andean Geese and many beautiful birds including flamingos. 

We saw many llamas, alpacas and vicuna crossing the road

Beauty and tanquility spread out before us

In the background Volcano Sabancaya 5980m is constantly smoking

This is one of a number of truck stops

There were quite a few abandoned buildings along the road

Rail was extensively used in earlier times

We reached the highest point of the road where signs described the volcanoes around the horizon.

We scooped around the crater rims of ancient volcanoes to eventually arrive near Chivay, the capital of the Caylloma province in the Arequipa region. The town is located at about 3,600m so we were still panting and lacking in energy but that of course was amply compensated by our enthusiasm and excitement at the possibility of seeing the Andean Condor, one of the largest flying birds in the world.

We passed some stunning land formations and strange rock strata

Part of an ancient crater 

We were heading for that distant valley - the Colca River valley

The Incas dug water channels and they are still being
used to channel water to the valleys

We stopped for lunch along the way and had a delicious meal;
mine included a Colca Sour made with local cactus juice

That night we stayed at Refugio Hotel in the Colca Valley with the Colca River roaring passed us between towering rock cliffs. Magnificent! Lindsay went for a wander and found a Giant and other Hummingbird species – he was excited. We dined by a roaring fired and went to bed each cuddling a hot water bottle. It was chilly!

A raging torrent roaring through the valley beside our hotel