COTAHUASI CANYON

It extends like a snake, a powerful water snake able to bore through mountains and hills with infinite persistence and tireless spirit to make its way in the deep walls and fertile valleys of the Cotahuasi canyon, considered the deepest canyon all over the world.

The Cotahuasi canyon, extends from the foothills of the Solimana snowcapped mountain until the confluence of the Ocoña River. It has 3,535 meters deep in the Ninacocha sector near the Quechualla town, where you can enjoy lofty lakes, revitalizing thermo medicinal waters, white glaciers and a great variety of flora and fauna.

It was declared a Touristic Reserve Zone on March 3rd, 1988, in the surrounding areas of the canyon you can find churches, graves and vast areas in the hillsides terraced for agriculture of pre-Hispanic origin, which are a tangible demonstration of diligence and inventiveness of old Peruvians, in order to obtain the greatest quantity of cultivable land.

Likewise, it is an ideal destination to practice adventure sports due to its rough and beautiful geography. A festival of mountain biking, free flight, rock climbing, rafting and trekking is carried out every year.

Catarata de Sipia: It is an impressive waterfall as high as 150 meters. It is the highest all over the canyon and allows visitors to appreciate the river`s strength and depth in their real magnitude. This waterfall is at three hours walk from the Cotahuasi town, a trip that may take half time if you travel by combi until the hanging bridge Cuyao, where the road ends. From this point, you will have to walk or ride a donkey.

The path is amazing and in some parts borders the Cotahuasi River. In general, the area is dry and paved. The visitor will have to go up some slopes, but they are not so steep.

During the journey, the visitor will meet two hanging bridge that are used to cross the Cotahuasi. Along the walk, he will also usually find some mule drivers coming from the communities surrounding the canyon.

IN TOWNS OF THE COTAHUASI VALLEY

Santo Santo: It is a mysterious stone forest formed by the erosion of the rocks by rain and wind. The awesome figures stand in an area of 5 square kilometers. It is located at the Huaynacotas district, 17 kilometers from the Cotahuasi town, 4,200 m.a.s.l.

Baños termales de Luicho: The temperature of its water - rising from the hill bearing the same name - range from 33° to 38° grades centigrade. Due to its healing qualities, they are recommended for patients suffering from rheumatism, arthritis and muscular atrophies, among others. Nearby you can find the Supaycanchis, Purahuasi y Huacchar ruins.

Bosque de Puyas: Near Lauripampa, in the Puyca district and more than four hours away from the provincial capital, there is an important number of "puyas" (Puya Raimondi), belonging to the bromeliacea family and considered the biggest inflorescence in the world. They may reach 10 meters and flower every 80 years. In danger of extinction, they only grow in the High Andean Areas. In the case of Lauripampa they grow at approximately 4,000 m.a.s.l. Additionally, in the area, you can walk by graves, Aimaran mummies and an impressive terraced cultivation system of wari and inca origin. The Maukallacta ruins stand out.

Bosque de Cactus Gigantes de Judío Pampa: These are some strange species of cacti that reach up to 13 meters high, which have established a mutual dependence with a specie of bats that belong to the ecosystem. The forest is located at the Quechualla district (1,980 m.a.s.l.) known for its fruit production and vineyards. Visitors should take the path to sepia and will be there after a five hours walk.

Charcana: It is a very traditional town of La Unión province, where most houses still maintain their straw roof. From here you can have an excellent sight of the Solimana and Firura snowcapped mountains. It is located at 3,417 m.a.s.l and it takes 8 hours to reach it riding a donkey from Cotahuasi.

Pampamarca: Is a district located two hours away from Cotahuasi if you travel by combi It has an impressive cultivation terrace system, pre-Inca ruins, Aimara mummies and beautiful waterfalls.