We had an early start treking along the top of the Colca Canyon in pursuit of the Andean Condor. The scenary through the Colca Valley again was stunning. We saw the Incan and pre-Incan terraces that were carved into the sides of the Canyon. They are still cultivated by local farmers in the same way today. There are maps carved in rocks along the valley that show where to get water from to irrigate the fields. This is my first Inca experience on the trip and was fasinating.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Colca Canyon is about 65miles (100k) long and is more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the United States, the deepest being 20,630-ft (6,288-m). However, the canyon's walls are not as vertical as those of the Grand Canyon. The Colca River flows along the valley and people live and farm on the very steep sides of the canyon.
The terraces
We are in Peru´s dry season so the crops are beginning to be sewn. In the wet season the the valley will be a lush green with snowy capped mountains.
Along the Colca Canyon
I did not want to get too close to the edge
Treking along the Canyon
Having a rest
Our tour group
Andean Condors
An Andean Condor
Close up photo of a Condor by Thuresson (not me)
So we managed to see quite a few Andean Condors. We started our trek away form the crowds of tourists that in their bus load go to the viewing point at Pinchollo. We walked along the top of the canyon and would every so often see Condors or Giant Hummingbirds, flowers and rabbits. It was a good time of the year to come to this viewing point as the Condors come here to find a mate. Once found they fly to the coast to the Islas Ballestas Island to eat the sea lion placenta. Hmmm yes interesting first dinner out with a new mate :-)
DID YOU KNOW?
The Andean Condor wingspan can reach 9 to 10 ft (274 to 310 cm) and is part of the vulture family. So are pretty big and ugly. They can live for 50 years or more, and they mate for life. They are considered near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN and Peru is now conserving them. The Andean Condor is a national symbol of Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador. Condors have been represented in Andean art from c. 2500 BCE onward. So special birds.
Andean Flicker
We saw some smaller Andean Flicker birds on the trek.
Flowering Cacti
I like Cacti plants.
Cross on top of the hill
At the top of the viewing point there was a decorated cross which I liked. Every year on the 2nd of May Andean communities celebrate with a party called Cruz Velacoy.
A group stop to take pictures
More terraces across the wide valley
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