Arequipa and the Deepest Canyon in the World - March 2011

Arequipa, Peru

An impressive old colonial town, where all the buildings are made from a strange, white volcanic rock.

A fine example of the white volcanic rock.

 

This photo was taken inside the huge monestary. It was so large it had street names.

The Amazing Colca Canyon Three Day Trek



The Colca and Canyon and it's neighbour are reputedly the deepest Canyons in the world. The Grand Canyon must be the largest then, we think.

The minibus picked us up at the ungodly hour of 3am, so we could get to the viewing platforms for the condors. We could have had a lie in, as none showed themselves, however, we did see a couple on the last day.

We had a great group for our three day trek and made some good friends.

Richard and Jeremy on the easy (ish) first day descent.

Richard looking silly in my hat and doing the 'v's'.

Dinner at the first hostel - in the middle of nowhere, on the river bank.



Our group from L-R: Jeremy (US), Angelie (US), Nelani (US), the guide (Peru), Knut (Germany), me (UK), Knut's wife, Fredrique and their daughter, Freya. This is the bridge at the very bottom, just before our overnight stop at the oasis.  



The oasis - a well deserved treat and where we spent Richard's birthday.

Birthday drinks at the oasis.

Jeremy and Richard driven to help out in the kitchen by hunger.

A group shot at the top of the crater after a few hours of gruelling up hill climb (at altitude).

The monster of the canyon.



The baby llama makes a break for it - fed up with having to pose with tourists for pocket money.

  Back in Arequipa, some of the group met up for drinks.

Could this be the coolest dad in the world? Even his nineteen year old daughter didn't make it out!

We combined forces with another Colca Canyon group.