Arequipa and Colca Canyon

Hot Springs dip in the rain
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After arriving from Tacna near to the Peruvian border on an okish bus (Flores semi cama bus approx 6 hours) we were pretty tired.  The weather in Arequipa was also quite different.  It is the rainy season in Peru and Arequipa was pretty grey and black looking with some rain just falling.

We caught a taxi to the hostal which was just off the main Plaza des Armas square in the centre.  The surrounding area of Arequipa was pretty run down and we were a little nervous of what the standard of accommodation might be.  We were booking in to Hostal Arequipay and we were pleasantly surprised with this small hostal.  It was not the biggest but the staff were good and the grounds were classical colonial architecture similar to the centre of Arequipa.

4900 metres
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Once into the centre we were impressed but the main square which has some of the best colonial architecture in South America.  This square was great to visit with lots of roads off it with good restaurants.  This helped as the rain had started to become pretty heavy. We had 2 days in Arequipa (in relatively heavy rain at times) before being picked up for our pre-booked tour of Colca Canyon.

Our tour guide picked us up at 7am the next morning, we were pleased to see that there were only 6 of us altogether on the tour in our minibus.  Probably a reflection of us paying somewhat more for the typical tours, something we were pleased to have done once we had seen the other tours with totally full buses!

Condor
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We were the youngest and got on well with a very friendly couple who were Brits but had retired abroad on a boat and an american couple from New York that were here on a 2 week holiday.

We headed out of Arequipa and towards the Colca Valley.  We stopped a number of times to see the terrace farming still in use today in Arequipa as well as meeting some Alpaca's.  After another 2 hours drive we had started to ascend from Arequipa into the region where Vicuna were protected.  This then took us the scenic route where we met more Alpaca herds, now Bex's favorite animals!

Condors !
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Our trip into the Colca Valley also introduced us to Coca tea (matay de coca) which was needed as we crossed into the valley at 4900metres!  We then wound down into the valley where we stopped a few times to see the terraces and sights again before being dropped off at our great hotel for a lunch.  I had Alpaca steak, similar to beef but more tender, and then we had a snooze before being taken to the local volcanic hot springs for a dip!  After this we headed back to the hotel and got to bed after a good meal as we had to be up at 5am as we were to take a trip into the canyon to see some condors.  This was our main reason for the trip!

Arequipa - Plaza des Armas
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After lunch we took a trip to the local hot springs to soak our bones.  The springs were very refreshing and it was made more pleasant by being outside and the rain that was falling.  The springs were not as hot as ones in Japan but still very good for a dip.

At the hotel we met a new friend, Manches a 2 years old Alpaca that Bex took a shine to.  He was quite a character who whilst we were waiting for dinner would wait at the window wanting to come in.  Which he did when we went back to the room, it was quite funny seeing this large Alpaca in the hotel lobby obviously under the impression that he was human too.  The tour guide told us he often went walkabout and could be found either in the church, playing with local children or in the next village.

Sunday morning dancing
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We woke early the next morning and got into the minibus to pick up the american couple who had stayed at a different lodge on the river.  On the way down the gravel and mud roads we encountered some remnants from the nights rain, part of the road was blocked by rocks and a large cactus.  We all got out to clear the road and then picked up the americans.

We gradually made our way across the valley and climbed through the mountain roads stopping here and there to enjoy the view.  We then reached the main viewing area for the Condors (3m wing span and live until approx 45 years old).  However it was pretty cloudy and we could not really see much, we waited approx an hour but the cloud kept coming in, so we got in the minibus and moved back down the road about half a k.  We immediately spotted some condors who were riding thermals inland where it was clearer, here we got some good shots but would have been better with a more serious lens.  We saw approx 10 of this large birds and were feeling like we had accomplished what we had come for, a relief after waiting in cloud for so long.

Arequipay Hostal
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After a long day we left the canyon and the valley and headed back to Arequipa.  On the way back we stopped at the 4900m point where there was plenty of snow and quickly built a small pile of rocks as offering to the gods!  We arrived back in Arequipa at approx 5pm where there was torrential rain.  We grabbed something to eat and then caught the overnight bus to Cusco where we would embark on our 2 day Machu Picchu trek.