The Colca Canyon was discovered by foreigners in 1985 who declared it the deepest canyon in the world. After a 4 hour ride up over the Andes from Arequipa to Chivay and a pass at over 16000 ft above sea level......our host for 2 nights is the lovely Casitas de Colca. A new deluxe lodge recently openend by Orient Express Hotels, the casitas, or little houses, are nestled in the tall trees with a trout pond nearby. From here we will visit the famed canyon as well as the Cruz del Condor where at least a dozen condors fly up from the valley bottom 12000 ft below to soar on the currents and air drafts above our heads.
Today we were lucky....we saw at least 12 of them.....all at the same time....fly up over our heads and off to find their sustenence for the day. Condors live to be over 75 years old and the show lasted for more than an hour with what we believed to be grandfather Condor making the last pass only five feet from where we stood. With his wing span of appx. 12 feet...our guide told us this big bird has been doing this for years....kind of like the finale to the show.
The rest of the day was spent in small villages hunting for the spectacular crafts which are hand made by the people here.
Back at "casitas" there is a show of Peruvian Paso Fino Horses and local dancing and music. I opt for a massage in the new spa and then dinner in my little house with a fire in the fireplace.
Too bad tomorrow we have to leave....but there are more exciting things to see back in Arequipa.....and more to tell you about at our next meeting.
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