Canon del Colca, the Andean gorge above Chivay
Published on 09/01/2026 at 17:17 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Canon del Colca, known internationally as Colca Canyon, is a deep Andean gorge carved by the Colca River in the Arequipa region of southern Peru, with the town of Chivay as its main gateway on the upper valley rim.
An Andean canyon on a spectacular scale
Canon del Colca follows the course of the Colca River through the high Andes, dropping from the altiplano into a gorge that reaches depths measured at over 3,000 m (around 10,000 ft) from rim to river at its deepest points.Colca Canyon depth figures The canyon lies within the province of Caylloma in Arequipa, in a broad sweep of highlands north of the regional capital Arequipa.Colca valley location
Chivay sits at the upper end of the canyon, at roughly 3,600 m (11,800 ft) above sea level, where the valley opens into a basin of fields, market streets and hot springs before the river cuts down more steeply towards Cabanaconde and the remote western villages.Chivay as tourism hub From here the landscape runs from high steppe and volcanic slopes into a narrower gorge, with viewpoints on the rim looking down to small settlements and cultivated terraces far below.River Colca canyon route
Terraced slopes and highland villages
One of the most striking features of Canon del Colca is the pattern of agricultural terraces that climb the valley sides around towns such as Chivay, Yanque and Maca, forming bands of stone-edged fields shaped over centuries of cultivation.Terraced slopes above Chivay These terraces follow the natural contours of the mountains, supporting crops and pasture on inclines that would otherwise be difficult to farm.
Between the terraces and the river, small villages occupy ledges and flatter benches, linked by roads on the upper rim and steep paths in the canyon itself.Villages along the canyon Travellers encounter stone-built churches, small squares and simple lodges, with views out towards the surrounding volcanoes and across the valley to the opposite canyon wall.
Condors, viewpoints and high-altitude routes
Cruising above Canon del Colca, Andean condors use the rising air currents over the gorge, and rim viewpoints offer sightlines across the canyon where these large birds can be observed gliding along the cliffs.Condors over the canyon The contrast between the broad sky, the dark river far below and the moving silhouettes of condors is one of the canyon’s defining scenes.Canyon viewpoints and scenery changes
On foot, marked routes descend from villages such as Cabanaconde into the canyon, following zigzagging paths down steep slopes to riverside hamlets and simple accommodation before climbing back to the rim on equally steep tracks.Colca Canyon trekking routes Around Chivay, hot spring complexes on the valley side offer baths fed by mineral-rich water, providing a contrasting setting to high-altitude treks and road journeys along the gorge.Hot springs near Chivay
Visiting Canon del Colca: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Canon del Colca lies in the Arequipa region of southern Peru, with Chivay on the upper rim acting as a transport hub and common starting point for journeys along the canyon.
- Roads and local tracks in the Canon del Colca region cross high passes and follow steep valley sides, and walks into the gorge involve significant gradients on mountain paths.
- The official language is Spanish and the currency is the Peruvian sol.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Canon del Colca
Where is Canon del Colca?
Canon del Colca is in the Andes of southern Peru, following the Colca River through the Arequipa region, with the province of Caylloma containing much of the canyon.
What can visitors expect on a trip to Canon del Colca?
Visitors encounter a deep river gorge, terraced valley slopes, high-altitude villages such as Chivay and Cabanaconde, Andean condors above the cliffs and steep paths linking rim viewpoints with settlements lower down.
What makes Canon del Colca distinctive?
The combination of a canyon measured at more than 3,000 m deep, extensive pre-Hispanic terracing and active condor habitats gives Canon del Colca a character that intertwines dramatic topography with long-standing highland communities.
