Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The 65km-long valley surrounds the village of
Andagua
, near the snowy summit of
Coropuna. Visitors seeking a destination full of natural wonders and virtually untouched
by travelers will rejoice in this remote setting. From Andagua, a number of sites can be
visited by foot or car. It is possible to hike to the top of the perfectly conical twin volca-
noes which lie about 10km from town, though don't expect a clear-cut trail. Other popular
hikes are to a nearby
mirador
at 3800m and to the 40m-high
Izanquillay
falls which are
formed where the Río Andahua runs through a narrow lava canyon to the northeast of
town. There are some
chullpas
(funerary towers) at
Soporo
, a two-hour hike or half-hour
drive to the south of Andagua. En route to Soporo are the ruins of a pre-Columbian city
named
Antaymarca
. Topographical maps of the area are available at
Colca Trek
(
054-20-6217, 9-60-0170;
www.colcatrek.com.pe
;
Jerusalén 401-B)
in Arequipa. An al-
ternative way to enter the valley is by starting from Cabanaconde, crossing the Cañón del
Colca, then hiking over a 5500m pass before descending into El Valle de los Volcanes.
This trek requires at least five days (plus time for proper acclimatization beforehand), and
is best to attempt with an experienced guide and pack mules.
There are several cheap and basic hostels and restaurants in Andagua, including the re-
commended
Hostal Trebol
(Calle 15 de Agosto; r S20)
. Camping is also possible, though
you will need plenty of water and sun protection. To get to the valley from Arequipa, take
a Reyna bus to Andagua (S40, 10 to 12 hours) which departs from Arequipa around 4pm.
Return buses leave Andagua around 2pm. Some tour companies also visit El Valle de los
Volcanes as part of expensive tours in 4WD vehicles that may also include visits to the
Cañón del Cotahuasi and Chivay.
Cañón del Cotahuasi
While the Cañón del Colca has stolen the limelight for many years, it is actually this re-
mote canyon, 200km northwest of Arequipa as the condor flies, that is the deepest known
canyon in the world. It is around twice the depth of the Grand Canyon, with stretches
dropping down below 3500m. While the depths of the ravine are only accessible to exper-
ienced river runners, the rest of the fertile valley is also rich in striking scenery and
trekking opportunities. The canyon also shelters several traditional rural settlements that
currently see only a handful of adventurous travelers.
