Summary

Colca River Canyon (June and July)

Prices From	USD$ $2,750.00
1st Departure	01.01.0001
Provider	Global Descents
Destination	Arequipa (including Colca Canyon)
Duration	10 days
Challenge	Advanced
Avg Rating	Not Rated

Deep within the Andes Mountains of southern Peru courses one of the most spectacular rivers in the world! The Colca River originates high on the wind-swept peaks of Condorama Crucero Alto and flows downstream over the course of several hundred kilometers, dropping through a canyon measured at a depth of 10,725 feet. Accessible only via raft or kayak, few people have yet witnessed the wonders of Colca Canyon since its 1981 first descent. The canyon features fantastic geologic features, colossal riverside waterfalls, and an abundant population of gigantic (10 foot wingspan!) Andean condors. Due to the combination of demanding whitewater and sheer inaccessibility, an expedition through the Colca Canyon is reserved for the true adventurer!

Itinerary

Day 1

<body bgcolor='White' style='font-family:sans-serif;font-size:10pt;'>After a short connecting flight from Lima, you arrive in the Andean city of Arequipa, Peru, where you’re met by your trip leader and taken to your deluxe hotel accommodation. You’ll have plenty of time this afternoon to explore this dazzling city. Over an exquisite dinner of Peruvian fare, we’ll have our trip orientation where your expedition leader will cover all of the details of our extraordinary journey, which begins the following morning. Meals provided: None </body>

Day 2

This morning we begin a thrilling drive five hours north to the rim of Colca Canyon and into the quaint village of Huambo. We’ll set camp, and over appetizers and happy hour we’ll watch as the sun sets over one of the world’s deepest canyons! Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Today we journey down into Colca Canyon. With the assistance of our guides and porters, we’ll load all of our gear onto burros. Individually, we’ll travel lightly, carrying only small daypacks and water on a seven to eight hour descent to the river. The hike is breathtaking as we descend nearly two miles down and through a geologic paradise! Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4-8

We’ll awaken the morning of day four to the roar of the Colca River. After a hot breakfast we’ll journey upstream a short ways to check out the colossal extraordinary Juan Pablo II Falls. Upon returning to camp, we find our boats rigged and ready. After an extensive safety orientation and equipment check, we launch onto the river, beginning our journey into the mystical Colca Canyon. The six days on this trip are some of the most dramatic days that you will ever experience. The sheer, twisting walls of the canyon will oftentimes prevent any sightline to the sky above. Massive Andean Condors issue shrill screams as they soar overhead. At 10,725 feet deep and in one of the remotest regions of Peru, we adjust to living on “river time -” waking by daylight and sleeping with darkness. Our days will be demanding and exhilarating as the difficulty of the whitewater increases throughout the trip. Teamwork is essential as the inner canyon river corridor culminates in a series of steep and technical class IV and V rapids and at least one extremely demanding portage. We’ll navigate the river as cautiously as possible given our resources and our location. A conservative approach, coupled with our outstanding crew of world renowned river guides and the employment of only the most up to date rafts and equipment ensure the utmost in safety throughout the descent. We’ll spend our evenings relaxing in camp, recounting the days’ events, exploring nearby sites, and partaking of some of the finest meals and beverages you’ll ever earn! Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Day 9

On our final river day we’ll travel a short distance through some yet-exciting Class III and IV rapids to our take-out at the confluence of the Rio Colca with the Rio Majes. From the take-out, we voyage in jeep a quick three hours’ to Arequipa. You’re back in time to clean up in your deluxe accommodation and to prepare for the extravagant trip dinner and fiesta. Congratulations on descending one of the most exciting and one of the deepest canyons in the world! Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10

This morning you catch your flight to Lima and then home! Meals provided: Breakfast

Gear List

Gear List -Sunscreen -Sunglasses (with retainers) -waterbottle (with carabiner to attach to raft) -Headtorch (headlamp or flashlight) -Waterproof camera for raft -Sleeping bag (warm and compact) -Warm, fleece jacket -Lightweight shell/raingear - 1 set of ‘camp clothes’ - Clothes for town before and after trip -2 pairs polypropilene top/bottoms (1 pr. midweight and 1 pr. expedition weight) -Warm hat, socks and gloves (fleece or wool) -Brimmed hat for sun protection -Swimsuit/shorts -Book/journal -Toothbrush/toothpaste -River footwear (river shoes or quality river sandals) -Lightweight hiking shoes Optional: -Camera for off river -Book on Incan Civilization -Sandals for traveling  -Binoculars -Personal Medications Global Descents Provides: -All meals upon arrival in Arequipa -All transportation during your trip with Global Descents -All rafting equipment  (life jacket, fully adjustable helmet, wetsuit, and nylon paddling jacket) -Expedition tents and sleeping pads -World Class guide team -Good Clean Fun

Travel Information

Activity Location

Colca Canyon, Peru
Colca Canyon, Peru

Destination Location

A Typical Day on the Colca The Rio Colca through the lower Colca Canyon remains one of the world’s most spectacular and most demanding river expeditions. Each day we’ll rise to the sun’s rays as they burn their way two miles down to the canyon bottom. After coffee, tea, and an energy packed breakfast we’ll pack up camp and rig the rafts. Each day we can expect demanding circumstances, be it negotiating class V rapids, portaging our rafts around riverside around non-navigable stretches of water, or trekking through the awesome landscape. We’ll find a sandy beach or a comfortable trailside spot for lunch where we’ll refuel on a hardy meal. Each night we’ll plan to arrive in camp with plenty of daylight remaining for further exploration of the numerous side canyons and waterfalls, or to simply kick back, relax, and enjoy the geologic wonders of this impressive canyon. Each night we’ll prepare and eat some of the most delicious and the most well-deserved dinners we’ve ever had. After cleaning up, we’ll settle down to the nighttime sounds in the depths of this wild place, and drift off to our tents in preparation for the coming day’s adventure on the incredible Colca River! *Note* The Colca River is a serious, Class V river expedition demanding teamwork and full participation. Global Descents requires good physical condition and recommends prior Class IV-V river experience. Please contact Global Descents for more information about this experience of a lifetime! Peru Travel Tips Transportation Many airlines fly to Peru. You’ll connect through Lima. Below are some of the major airlines. The easiest way to determine carriers in your area is to use Orbitz or Expedia to determine who flies to Peru. Check airline websites for discounts. American Airlines Delta British Airways Air Canada Air France Lima Hotels If you stay over in Lima a couple good affordable hotels are Posada Del Parque. address: Juan Pablo Ferandini 1015 posada@incacountry.com or next door at the Clifford Hotel www.thecliffordhotel.com Higher end- Casa Hospedaje Machu Piicchu contact vanessa_new@hotmail.com address: Juan Pablo Ferandini 1015 phone 4243479 Check with the hotel for airport service at time of reservation. Domestic Carriers LAN is the major domestic carrier www.lan.com or Aero Condor Peru flies to Arequipa and Cuzco www.aerocondor.com.pe Water Unfortunately, water for consumption while traveling internationally is not always as reliable as your water at home. It is imperative that we all pay close attention to our own personal hygiene and staying healthy before and throughout the river expedition. Please be dutiful in washing your hands continuously throughout the trip, especially before and after eating and using the toilet. We cannot trust tap water and water served from unknown sources. Drink only bottled water, or bring your own water purification system or tablets. Your staff will always provide plenty of clean water throughout the river portion of the expedition. Health Precautions Peru has yellow fever endemic areas although not in the region of the Colca Canyon. Please contact the Center for Disease Control or the Global Descents travel desk for more information. Visa Requirements There are no Visa requirements for stay in Peru up to ninety days. You need only to possess a passport that remains valid for at least six months after your planned departure date from Peru. Money The national currency of Peru is the Sol, which comes in denominations of S/. 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. At the time of this writing, the exchange with the U.S dollar was S/.3.3 to 1 USD. Foreign currency can be exchanged in all change bureaus. Change houses offer better exchange rates than banks. ATMs are also available throughout the country’s larger cities. Shopping There is excellent shopping throughout Peru. All transactions will take place in Soles so make sure that you visit the change house or ATM prior to heading to the market. Iberica, the renowned chocolate factory in Arequipa is a must see attraction. Incan wool goods, ceramics, and incredible restaurants await throughout the country, as well. Resist food sold on the street as sanitation regulations do not exist for these vendors. Beverages Hydration is always of the utmost importance for us on all river expeditions. Especially due to the high temperatures and physical exertion necessary throughout the trip. In addition to water, we provide a modest amount of cocktails and juice mix. If you plan on consuming a larger amount of alcoholic beverages, specific sodas or juices, please let your trip leader know in order to find everything you need before the trip or find them in Duty free on your way to the destination. Nearby Destinations Arequipa Situated in the Andes at an altitude of 7740 feet, Arequipa was founded in 1540 by Spanish explorer Manuel Garci de Carbajal, and remains one of the most charming cities in South America. Derived from a Quechua phrase translated as “come and stay” Arequipa beckons visitors with its stunning architecture, being constructed almost entirely of sillar, a dazzling white volcanic stone. The districts of “La Ciudad Blanca (The White City,)” as the city is commonly known, contrast between native influence and colonial heritage. Three snow-capped volcanoes, El Misti, Chachani, and Picchu Picchu encompass the metropolis. The convent of Santa Catalina, constructed as a city within the city in 1580, housed 450 nuns for more than four centuries. Stories and legends circulated throughout the city about the mysterious convent until it opened its doors to the public in 1970; today it stands as a curious attraction. UNESCO named the historic city center of Arequipa a World Heritage Site in 2000. Cusco The ancient town of Cusco was the political capital of the Incan Empire. Positioned at 11,500 feet high in the Peruvian Andes, the picturesque town offers a combination of enchanting old-world character and simple modernity. The town remains the starting point for Machu-Pichu/Incan tours, and hosts a variety of sites within the city, including the palace of the Incas, the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Virgins of the Sun. The impressive Spanish Cathedral of Santo Domingo serves as a reminder of the area’s post-Columbian heritage. Visitors interested in Incan history must pay a visit to the Incan center town of Cusco!