Travel-World Photography
Colca Canyon is located in the vicinity of Chivay (3635 m asl). The canyon is formed by a large fissure in the earth, about 100 km long, and is about 3400 m at the deepest. Near Chivay, at Calera, is a hot spring, with a large pool. It was an uncanny feeling soking in the pool at nearly 3900 m, and with an air pressure at about 60% of the pressure at sea level.
The major feature of Colca Canyon is the flock of condors, which are best viewed from Cruz del Condor. The Andean condors have a wing span of 2.7-3.2 metres and a weight of 7.7–15 kg. Rather than take off from the ground, they prefer to glide, launching from rocky perches high on mountain crags. They glide on rising thermals - without moving the wings - when the sun heats the canyon walls. They are majestic sights, rising high above the canyon walls.
The road to Ariquipa runs over the Patapampa Pass, also called Mirador de los Andes. At the elevation of 4910 m it is the highest paved road in the world. The air is thin, ca 55 % as compared to the sea level. Our minibus barely made it across the top due to car engine not getting enough oxygen.
The road descends a few hundred meter to Las Pampas de Toccra (4464 m). It is flat with water ponds, partially with salt, leftover from the time before the Andes mountain range was formed. The Pampas is the home of vicunas, waterfowl and flamingos.
