TRAVEL AND TOURS

A valley, a bunch of towns protected by snowcapped mountains sculpted by cultivation terraces, a waterfall, a couple of hanging bridges, a "puya" forest and many cacti. Pre-Hispanic ruins and Aimaran mummies, waris and Incas. But above all a fantastic, huge and gigantic canyon: Cotahuasi, the deepest canyon in the world that has 3,535 meters depth. This place in Arequipa is so awesome! Here, the Andes are cut by powerful rivers, exciting ravines and deep abysses. Its habitants, unaware of time passing by, keep their old countenance, refusing to change, refusing to lose their old habits.

The impressive Cotahuasi canyon is located at La Unión province, one of the roughest regions in the Andes. It is very picturesque thanks to its snowcapped mountains like the Coropuna volcano (the highest of the country with 6,425 meters) and the Solimana (6,117 meters); in addition to its varied vegetation growing between 1,000 and 6,100 meters high.

Enjoying the canyon depth there is a tour marked by particular events: a 14-hour trip (from Arequipa) through a road in bad conditions; a peaceful stay in Cotahuasi town and an exhausting long walk, crossing two hanging bridges and probably sighting condors until reaching Sipia, a magnificent waterfall of 150 meters high.

Cotahuasi's depth is the ideal home for species in danger of extinction like the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), vicunas (Vicugna vicugna) and guemales (Hippocamelus antisensis). Just a brief description of the large fauna, which together with the archaeological and cultural attractions of the canyon justified its denomination of National Touristic Reserve Zone, granted in 1988.

It is still visited by very few tourists. Cotahuasi's cartography has only been made in the 90s.

Undoubtedly, it is an incredible geographic area providing the necessary natural resources for the survival of the Andean men and women who set up in its area 10,000 years ago.

Afterwards, the region was invaded by waris, chancas and incas; the latter gave the towns the quechua names, that remain until today, as well as many of their habits.

But adventure is also present in Cotahuasi. The area is ideal for practicing rafting, free flight, rock climbing, rides, mountain biking; rapelling and trekking. Cotahuasi is a canyon of adventures and an old place of living history that waits to be visited.

ATTRACTIONS

In Cotahuasi, capital of La Unión province, time goes by slowly, as though it were spellbound by the mountains surrounding the town, located at 379 kilometers from the "White City" of Arequipa and at 2,683 m.a.s.l.

Its narrow streets tempt you to walk by the streets with old buildings of the quiet town, a preamble of the stunning lakes, thermal baths, waterfalls and mysterious stone, puya and cactus forests, which stand out in the surroundings. The following places wait to be visited:

In Cotahuasi:

Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Concepción: It has a colonial style and shows the typical characteristics of the provincial churches: simple design, arches of half point with attached pilasters, a high altar made of golden bread ("pan de oro") and thick adobe walls. It is more than 170 years old and shelters valuable pictures of the Arequipa style.

Campanario de Santa Ana: Located at the exit of Cotahuasi. It is the ideal place to fully admire this provincial capital as well as the nearby lake of Chaquicocha.

Cerro Huyñao: From its top you may enjoy a majestic scene of the whole valley. It is one hour away from Cotahuasi and during the adventure sports festivals; it is the departure point of seasoned "ala delta" and "parapente" trainees.