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The Valley of
Colca
The Valley of
Colca is
located in the province of
Caylloma, north
of the city of Arequipa,
180
km (111.8 miles). This valley is dotted with many small
towns that sprang up by
Pre-Inca societies.
The
early Collaguas and Cabanalos developed an in-depth knowledge of
agricultural engineering and managed to construct great
extensions onto the mountainsides that are still used today by
their descendants for cultivation of corn, potatoes, broad beans,
alfalfa, quinua, barley and wheat.
The Colca
River was use
as the route to Cuzco and
other Andean locations for the Incas and their predecessors.
Churches were built along the way, notably the one at Coporaque.
Colca
Valley has been
known by different names, such as, The Lost Valley of the Incas, The
Valley of Wonders, The Valley of Fire and The Territory of the
Condor. It wasn't until the early 1930's that the Colca valley was
explored again, this time for the American Geographical Society.
In 1984 the “Guinness
Book of records” declared The Colca Canyon as the deepest canyon in
the world. This is one of the main tourist attractions of the
region, measuring 3,400 meters (9,842 feet) deep and 100km (62,137
feet) wide. At the Colca
Canyon, you may enjoy a
variety of exciting sports including trekking, mountain
climbing, canoeing, and camping.
“Cruz del Condor” is a
popular tourist stop, located among Maca and Cabanaconde’s, where
one may marvel at the breathtaking sunrises or sunsets, witness the
flight of the majestic condor in its native habitat, all this,
while viewing the impressive scenery’ unforgettable.
Other attractions of the Colca are the folkloric towns. Each
one has managed to maintain its original history through out time.
They show their impressive churches in Renaissance and Baroque
styles. Their habitants are proud to wear the traditional clothing
during different festivals, including traditional songs and dances
that reveal the history of the Colca
Valley.
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