Colca Canyon Immersion Experience – Live Like A Local

Venture into Peru's breathtaking Colca Canyon, the second deepest canyon in the world! Your adventure begins at the Pampa Cañahua National Reserve, where the imposing Chachani and Misti volcanoes lend a dramatic backdrop to this beautiful park. The diverse wildlife here is just as impressive as the volcanic vistas, so keep your eyes peeled for herds of vicuñas, llamas and alpacas, and even the elusive Andean eagles! Your next stop will be the spectacular Patapampa Pass, which at nearly 5000m is the highest point of the tour. Soak up the magical atmosphere – you will notice interesting  stone towers, or offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth) left by previous visitors – and take in the incredible views of snow-capped peaks: Ampato, Sabancaya and Hualca-Hualca. You might recognise the name Ampato, as this is where they uncovered the famous 'ice maiden' mummy Juanita, who is now on display at the Andean Museum in Arequipa. In the afternoon, you will descend into the Colca Valley, specifically the tranquil town of Yanque. Here, you can enjoy a true Colca Canyon immersion experience by meeting the indigenous Collaguan people, whose culture predates that of the Incas. You will spend the night in a homestay with a Collagua family, who will teach you about their traditional way of life. Discover commonly used skills such as candle-making, wool spinning and agriculture, or take a stroll to the nearby pre-Inca ruins. Round the day off with a relaxing visit to private natural hot springs, followed by an organic homegrown, home-cooked family meal.

Enjoy a tasty breakfast of organic Andean fare with your new family before heading into Yanque’s main plaza to watch a fascinating performance of the traditional indigenous Wititi dance. Admire the colourful local costumes of this spectacular show before perusing the vibrant market wares. The next stop for the morning will be 'Cruz del Condor', a natural lookout point over Colca Canyon named for the colony of Andean condors that live nearby. You can’t fail to be awestruck as you watch these magnificent birds go soaring past among the beautiful canyon scenery. This is one of the only places in the world to see condors in their natural habitat, so keep your camera ready! Continue to Sibayo, a picturesque village famous for its ancient masonry (the name means 'town of stones' in Quechua). Continue your Colca Canyon immersion experience by spending the afternoon with local families, who will teach you the traditional processes of spinning and weaving llama and alpaca wool. You'll even have the opportunity to go trekking with local llama herders and their animals along ancient mountain paths, far away from the tourist crowds. Spend the night in a homestay in this unique town, as you enjoy participating in some fun Collagua-style dancing to the live music performed by a local band.

Your Colca Canyon immersion experience continues with a visit to a community of alpaca herders, whose grazing grounds are located  a short drive from Sibayo. Take time to chat to the llama herders and learn the ancient art of shearing llamas and alpacas before enjoying a well-deserved Andean breakfast. Next, you will be able to contemplate all these memorable experiences amid the stunning backdrop of the Colca Valley, as you traverse an original Inca trail to Chivay. Here, you can rest your tired muscles after your hike with a rejuvenating soak in the natural hot springs and enjoy a lunch of delicious Peruvian fare. In the late afternoon, you will return to Arequipa, taking with you your new-found traditional skills, local knowledge and wonderful memories of your Colca Canyon Immersion Experience.