Chivay - Colca Canyon - Arequipa 8 July

SATURDAY 

Chivay to Colca Canyon 

Deep deep gorge. Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. Claimed to be over 3km deep but from where we were standing it was 1500m down and another 1500m up on the other side.

We came to see Condors and weren't disappointed.

They have a 3m wingspan and we watched them cruise up from below riding the thermals until they were at our height. One even flew about 5m right over our heads.  Huge birds.  I was told that if a cow ventures too close the the canyon edge they are capable of pushing it over so they can have a feed in a few days when it starts rotting. Hence the farmers don't like them much.

After doing the Condor viewing with dozens of other tourists we did a canyon walk away from the crowds for 30 minutes or so.  The silence was wonderful as we took in the enormity of this canyon.

On our way back to Chivay for lunch we stopped at a small town called Maca.

There we were encouraged to sample the local cactus juices.  I had one that inside looks similar to a pale kiwi fruit but tastes bitter and Lindsey had a red one which was sweet and not unlike boysenberry.

Back on the bus to Chivay for a quick walk around the market to grab some lunch and then on we go for a three hour drive returning to Arequipa.

A group of eight of us went out for a meal.

I had fillet Mignon however what I got was more like rump steak and they weren't interested in how I wanted it cooked. Lindsey had a nice looking chicken dish with a tasty sauce.

In bed by 8:15 and I fell asleep straight away to wake for an hour at three before finally rousing at 7am. This wandering around at altitude is tiring. We are all feeling anxious and excited about our forthcoming trek to Machu Picchu on Tuesday.