Second day of the Colca Canyon trek.
Colca Trek
At 3.40am, we are all ready with our headlamps to start the hike.
Daytime temperatures in the canyon can reach 36 degrees, so it is advisable to start the ascent at night and avoid the middle of the day.
It seems crazy to start walking without breakfast, but you can always stop for something to eat along the way.
Sunrise
The path is easy, wide and winding. In less than 4 kilometres, we have to climb 1,200 metres. It is also important to bear in mind that Cabanaconde is almost 3,300 metres above sea level, so if you are not well acclimatised, it can take its toll.
In any case, there is a solution for everything. If you are not feeling well or have an accident, you always have the option of hiring a horse or mule to take you up.
Dawn breaks when we still have an hour and a half to go.
Colca Canyon
At 7 am we reached the top. Next to the viewpoint there is a stall selling hot drinks, fruit and snacks at reasonable prices, so we had a coffee and a banana.
Colca Canyon
When we all get together and after taking some photos, we walk to Cabanaconde for a well-deserved breakfast of eggs, avocado, bread, jam, butter and herbal teas.
Colca Canyon
The whole group
Our next stop after breakfast was the Chacapi hot springs near the town of Yanque.
Yanque Church
Hot Springs
The price of the hot springs is not included in the tour; we pay 15 soles per person. We have an hour to enjoy ourselves and relax.
The complex has several hot water pools next to the river. They have toilets, showers, changing rooms and lockers to store your belongings. After all that effort, it's a great plan.
An hour later, we go to eat at the Incafe restaurant near Yanque. It is a traditional buffet-style meal. We try typical local dishes such as rocoto relleno (stuffed pepper), adobo arequipeño (meat stew), alpaca, chicharrón, ceviche... Everything was delicious. You can pay by card without any surcharge.
Vicuñas
We returned to Arequipa, but first we stopped at the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve to see llamas, alpacas and the elusive vicuñas, which are in danger of extinction. We also stopped at the Volcanoes viewpoint, which offers views of Chachani (6,057 metres) and Misti (5,822 metres), volcanoes that surround the city of Arequipa.
Alpacas
The last stop is at a restaurant to use the toilet or have a drink.
We arrive in Arequipa at around 5 pm. We shower and go out to find something for dinner.
Arequipa is very lively; this week there is a miners' convention and there are people everywhere.
We find a stall in front of the San Francisco convent selling hamburgers and criollos for 10 soles and buy two.
Arequipa
On the corner of Valhalla Rock Café, at a street stall, we bought a portion of fried sweet potato served with a honey-like syrup for 8 soles.
With our entire dinner, we went to the hotel terrace to enjoy it.
Misti
Tips. Don't forget to bring a hat, walking sticks, sunscreen, a headlamp, and at least a litre and a half of water.
Accommodation in Arequipa Casa el Errante double room with bathroom, $19/night
Chacapi Hot Springs 15 soles/person
Lunch at Incafe restaurant 80 soles
Dinner at street stalls, two hamburgers 20 soles, one portion of fried sweet potato 8 soles
- Log in to post comments
