Colca Canyon

This is one trek you shouldn’t miss. While it’s true the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu might be the most famous trek in Peru, Cañon del Colca (or Colca Canyon) is another you need to add to your list. Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world — nearly 14,000 feet from its highest point to its lowest — and it’s home to the Andean condor, a sacred bird in Incan culture. If you’re looking to plan a trip to this must-see destination, here’s what you need to know.

The Colca River begins high in the Andes atCondorama Crucero Alto, dropping down to the Pacific in stages and changing its name to Majes and then Camana as it flows. Within the tiny mountain villages of Chivay and Cabanaconde lies a remarkable geological feature known as Colca Canyon.