Colca Canyon

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The Colca Canyon is six hours northeast of Arequipa, Peru. One of the deepest canyons in the world it is a popular destination to view the Andean Condors rising on the thermals out of the canyon most mornings. After a five hour hike down, we spent two nights in the bottom of the canyon along the Rio Colca.

While the climate is dry, locals living in the canyon are able to grow enough food to trade in the market for other necessities. Burros are used to carry supplies in and out of the canyon.

A farmer's house amid a shady grove.

Our second day in the canyon.

The 'oasis' where we stayed the second night. In order to see the condors at sunrise we left at 3am the next morning and hiked up the trail in the background.

This plentiful spring is the source of life for the lush oasis.

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