1.- INTRODUCTION TO COLCA CANYON’S ELEVATION PROFILE
The Colca Canyon is located in the south of the country, it is part of the region of Arequipa and is listed as one of the deepest canyons in the world with a depth that exceeds 3400 m below the sea, its landscape is breathtaking and is part of the Andes mountain range and due to the Altitude of Colca canyon Peru and geographical diversity that has the climatic variation is notorious for all.
The location and the Colca Canyon Altitude are not a coincidence, in fact it is the development and geographical evolution that has lasted for centuries being part of a vast mountain range of the Andes and also one of the longest and most extensive mountain ranges in the world even easily crossing the South American continent. It has the characteristic of having a quite varied topography which includes high altitude mountains as well as extensive valleys that extend to the deepest depths containing also a great variety of flora and fauna that over time have managed to adapt and find their suitable ecosystem in these heights. Many people do not know that the entire territory where the Colca Canyon is located is surrounded by still active volcanoes such as Misti, Chachani and Sabancaya.
Another extremely important aspect is that through the extensive canyon runs a river that bears the same name which originates in the high mountains of the Andes and gradually descends through the vast canyon which has given a dramatic touch in the panorama that can be seen even being also the source of production for the extensive crops that can be seen throughout the canyon which have a pre-Columbian origin, this is a sample of the great biodiversity that still exists despite the Colca Canyon Altitude in which it is located.
2.- Characteristics of the Colca Canyon Altitude
It is notorious as the Colca Canyon Altitude changes considerably depending on the point where you are because at the point of entry considered as a valley you can be at 2000 m above sea level but in the deepest and most remote point of this vast canyon can reach up to 3400 m deep, due to volcanic activity and constant fluvial erosion the walls of this canyon have formed high and certainly are a witness to the great geological process that over time has formed this place. Its altitude is not only a point of impression in fact it is also a conditional element of climatic aspects and directly related to the vegetation of the place is common to note that as a traveler ascends to the higher parts the temperature is decreasing and the vegetation is also changing because it adapts to the diverse altitude that exists, while in the lower areas you can find a diversity of crops between corn, potato and other kinds that are common within the Andean region.
3.- UNDERSTANDING COLCA CANYON’S VARYING ELEVATIONS
Due to the Colca Canyon Altitude, it was listed as one of the deepest canyons in the world, however it is not the only reason why it is known as it contains one of the most impressive natural beauties among the regions of Peru, it is important that you also know that it has a geography that varies according to the place you want to visit.
3.1.- Town of Chivay
This town has an altitude of 3650 m above sea level and for many travelers represents the first place they come to when it comes to knowing this natural destination, this small town is quite cozy and provides tourist services of all kinds, from accommodation options, food and even contains the popular hot springs of La Calera, it is highly recommended as it helps with altitude adaptation.
3.2.- Cruz del Condor viewpoint
Another of the emblematic points to which you must necessarily arrive during your visit to the Colca Canyon, is located at 3700 m above sea level and is undoubtedly one of the most famous places that are in this place, this is the main point where many travelers want to get because thanks to the Colca Canyon Altitude is possible to appreciate one of the most impressive Andean birds of the entire region, the condor. From this point it is possible to appreciate the famous flight of the condors entering the canyon itself and due to the strategic location of this viewpoint you can appreciate in a dramatic way all the geological formations that extend throughout the valley.
3.3.- Bottom of the canyon
The most recondite place of this impressive canyon has a depth variation between 2100 and 2500 m that is available mainly for travelers who choose to venture on hiking activities to the villages that to this day preserve their culture intact, some of these villages are Cabanaconde, Malata and San Juan de Chuccho, fortunately during the hiking activities you can not only these places but interact in a close way with the local people which also allows you to enjoy and explore the local flora and fauna.
| “Travel is not an expense, it is an investment in yourself.” |
4.- Best time to visit the Colca Canyon
Due to the Colca Canyon Altitude you can get to perceive a climate quite typical of the Andean region which is generally dry and cold, fortunately this natural destination is available to visit throughout the year however it is important to understand that due to the variety of season there is a clear difference in climate. The best season of the year undoubtedly occurs between May and October which is also known as the dry season and is the time when the weather becomes much more pleasant to enjoy the various experiences that can be made when visiting the Colca Canyon this includes the traditional versions that do not incur a physical effort as well as the popular hiking activities that allow world travelers to tour each of the places that are inside the vast Colca Canyon.
However there is a negative aspect that you should take into consideration and it is that thanks to the appropriate temperatures offered by the dry season is also a time of year in which many travelers choose it as a travel date so it is common to have crowds and parallel to see how the prices of services rise, for this reason it is always recommended to have an advance reservation which will allow you to enjoy your experience without last minute complications also that also allows the planning is adequate by organizing activities in flexible schedules which allow you to enjoy a slightly emptier environment than usual.
5- How to get to the Colca Canyon?
Many people think that due to the Colca Canyon elevation is quite complicated to access, however it is quite the opposite because currently as part of the tourist accessibility roads have been created that allow travelers to reach this place from various cities such as Puno or Arequipa, the latter being the main one since it has a road made by which the trip takes about three hours and can be done by car or by tourist bus, It is also common to be able to participate in a guided experience which is organized by a travel agency, this last option is more appropriate if it is the first time you visit this place because it is important to understand that as a form of security you must have a backup and the company of a tour guide who can assist you if you have any problems with the Colca Canyon Altitude, although regularly it is not the case.
6.- Altitude sickness
It is quite common that due to the Colca Canyon elevation, present is some discomfort of altitude sickness. Mainly this happens because places that exceed 2500 m above sea level have the particularity of containing less percentage of oxygen so it also becomes a great challenge mainly for travelers who visit such places for the first time, some of the common and usual ailments that may present a traveler to reach this place are:
- Nauseas
- Difficulty breathing
- Headache
- Vomiting
Faced with these discomforts it is always better to seek natural remedies such as drinking plenty of water to keep the body hydrated and thus also oxygenation, another fundamental aspect is to balance meals during the first days as having a light diet allows the body to also get energy, finally the option also recommended is to allow the body to adapt progressively this involves not doing heavy activities the first few days.
7.- A WORLD TITLE
“There are places in the world that have the particularity of being unique, the Colca Canyon is also part of them. After the Yurlung Zangbo Canyon in Tibet and the Kali Gandaki Canyon in Nepal, the Colca Canyon is ranked as the third deepest in the world and if you add the possibility of appreciating the impressive flight of the condor makes it a unique destination worth visiting. ”
8.- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT COLCA CANYON’S ALTITUDE
- How high is Colca Canyon above sea level?
The Altitude of Colca canyon Peru is not fixed because due to the geographical variety that exists can be constantly changing, there are places like the town of Chivay that are located at 3650 m above sea level while other places like the lowest point of the entire canyon has an altitude of 2100 m above sea level so it becomes a very large altitudinal variation.
- What is the altitude difference between the rim and bottom of Colca Canyon?
In fact it is quite notorious, on the edge you can find places like the viewpoint of the cross of the condor, this has a height of 3700 m above sea level however the bottom of the canyon has a variation between 2100 and 2500 m above sea level.
- How bad is altitude sickness in Colca Canyon?
There is no doubt that due to the Colca Canyon elevation, altitude sickness is one of the most recurrent problems that travelers may have during their visit to this place, however much will depend on the previous preparation that each traveler has to see the intensity of the discomfort and how it presents itself, for this reason it is always recommended to anticipate this discomfort with basic and simple actions such as drinking plenty of water and properly rest the body.
- Do I need altitude sickness pills for Colca Canyon?
It is not necessary, simple activities such as drinking plenty of water or resting the body properly allow the altitude sickness can be felt slightly or just do not do it so these actions are much more beneficial to the body than taking a pill.
Now you know more about the famous Colca Canyon and if you had forgotten it, remember that this place is one of the natural sites that you have to visit at least once in your life for this reason Auri Peru can create a customized experience just for you, so that the trip is more than just fun and is also safe, contact us now and together we will design your next adventure.
“Don’t hold grudges, better save money for travel.”
