Colca Canyon

Arequipa is Peru´s second city and the departure point for tours of the Colca Canyon, the deepest but not grandest canyon in the Americas. The road to the canyon passes points in excess of 4800 metres but both timeless and modern remedies for altitude sickness are available. Coca leaves are chewed with a tiny piece of limestone which catalyzes the pharmacologically-active aklaloids. Coca cookies are chewed with milk which catalyzes the delicious taste.

The main attraction in the canyon are the Andean condors which leisurely glide on the rising thermals, hunting for a mid-morning snack. This one has spotted my cookies!

The canyon also features the cliffside tombs of Inca notables and the ancient stepped terraces still farmed by locals.