Colca Canyon

25/03/11 Colca Canyon is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. Although it may not be as dramatic as its height is created by mountains instead of a plateau and vertical drops. Twas pretty sweet though.

We hear you say "This be not a Canyon but a multi-talented musician!?" Tis the in-bus entertainment! This is one of the better ones, as the rest tend to perform a small dramatic monolgue before trying to sell you diet drinks or mini encyclopedias. This man got skills.

We left Arequipa in flip flops, went up over snowy mountains and landed in a rainy canyon. Ouch.

We found a cool place to stay in a town called Cabanaconde with Cats who join you for breakfast. We got up early to start our bike ride along the canyon. Also note, new Alpaca jumper! Sweet.

Grace leading the way to Cruz del Condor. See ya! Glad for clear skies after arriving in the rain :)

Farms with sheer drops to villages on the other side.

Cruz Del Condor. No Condors but a great view of the deepest part of the canyon and lots of these splendid ladies selling their wares. It's great that most of the local ladies still wear this stuff. Not just in tourist places. And if they dont wear it all, its tracksuit and pretty hat :) Grace would personally wear it the other way round, Blossom style ;)

We cycled on from the Mirador and this Condor found us! Massive!

White on top, black underneath.

DIY wild west security.com

Pinchollo. The next town from Cabanconde. A whole lot smaller and sleepier. We cycled on to here to look for lunch.

We found a family Hospedaje who agreed to cook us pasta :) This is Chela, she is one and half times bigger than a Condor feather.

Looking down. You can walk it in about 4-5 hours. We decided against the day trip there and back.

Here's the hat maker! 20 soles. 8 days work.

Cabanaconde ladies.