Things to do
7-
Colca Canyon
One of the deepest canyons on earth, dropping more than three thousand metres from the rim to the river along its western reach. Cabanaconde sits on the lip of that section, which is why the descents to the floor start here rather than at Chivay.
-
Catarata de Huaruro
Falls dropping in two long stages into the canyon below Tapay, reached by a rough path from Fure that crosses the river twice. The walk in is long enough that the people who make it are staying in the canyon rather than doing it from the rim.
-
Llahuar Aguas Calientes
Hot springs on the canyon floor where the Huaruro meets the Colca, in pools built at the water's edge below a small lodge. They are reached on the trail down from Cabanaconde or by a rough road, and the river beside them runs cold enough to be startling.
-
Mirador Achachihua
A viewpoint on the western edge of Cabanaconde looking straight down the terraced slope towards the river and the Sangalle oasis. It is a ten minute walk from the plaza and the usual place to judge the descent before committing to it.
-
Mirador San Miguel
A rim viewpoint north of the village where the main trail to the canyon floor begins, with the switchbacks visible the whole way down. Condors pass along this stretch of wall in the morning, more quietly than at Cruz del Cóndor and with almost nobody watching.
-
Sangalle
The green floor of the canyon, a cluster of palm groves and spring fed pools about twelve hundred metres below Cabanaconde, reached in around three hours down and three to four back up. Lodgings are basic bungalows, and most walkers stay a night rather than turn straight round.
-
Tapay
A village on the far wall of the canyon, reached on foot from Sangalle or by the bridge at San Juan de Chuccho, with terraces stacked below the houses. It is a day's walk from Cabanaconde and the usual second night on the longer canyon circuit.