Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cañón del Colca
GRANT DIXON/GETTY IMAGES ©
Despite its depth, the canyon is geologically young. The Río Colca has cut into beds of
mainly volcanic rocks, which were deposited less than 100 million years ago along the
line of a major fault in the earth's crust. Though cool and dry in the hills above, the deep
valley and generally sunny weather produce frequent updrafts on which soaring condors
often float by at close range. Viscachas (burrowing rodents closely related to chinchillas)
are also common around the canyon rim, darting furtively among the rocks. Cacti dot
many slopes and, if they're in flower, you may be lucky enough to see tiny nectar-eating
birds braving the spines to feed. In the depths of the canyon it can be almost tropical, with
palm trees, ferns and even orchids in some isolated areas.
