South America Day 18: Colca Canyon to Arequipa

January 2012

Up at 5:30 am to try and see the Condors in one of the biggest canyons in the world.

We arrived at the main viewing point at around 9 am to find most of it covered in cloud/mist. We did get to see the base of the canyon at one stage of clearing, and the special endangered bunny or the Viscacha.

We then did about a 30 minute walk and waited and waited for the cloud cover to clear (as per the below photo).

Disappointed we got back in the bus and headed back to Chivay, along the way we were delighted to find Condors in flight.

We stopped in the town of Chivay for a buffet lunch and a quick walk around before the 4 hour bus trip back to Arequipa.

That night we had dinner at Zig Zag. The best meal we had on our entire trip.  We shared the capaccio of salmon and tuna. DH had the trip of meat (Alpaca, pork and beef) on a hot plate and I had the Alpaca on a plate with blue cheese sauce.

Stay

Solar, Arequipa

Eat

Qhapaq Nan, Chivay

Zig Zag, Arequipa

Do

Colca Canyon

Condor siting

South America Day 17: Arequipa to Colca Canyon

January 2012

Up "late" today at 7:30 am to catch the bus to the Colca Canyon. DH was the only one who managed to catch a glimpse of the volcano peaks that surround Arequipa.

We drove for about 2 hours, stopping to take pictures of the Vicunas.

We then drove for another 1.5 hours, passing over the highest point at 4,915 m (not stopping due to the bad weather). We checked into our hotel before enjoying a buffet lunch, which included BBQ Alpaca.

After lunch we went on a bit of a walk to explore the area.

We decided to visit the hot springs, which were surprisingly good in the rain.

That night we had dinner at a local Andean restaurant, trout for me and chicken with the yellow pepper sauce for DH.

Stay
Mama Yachi

Eat
Mama Yachi lunch buffet
Mistituris (you could probably find somewhere better)

Do
Chivay Hot Springs