Having spent a very cold evening at the Colca Canyon Lodge. We quickly packed, no breakfast was ready, so we ate a cereal Bar we had brought with us and headed out at around 7:00 AM the next morning towards the Cruz del Condor vantage point, a spot from where you have an extremely good view of the Colca Canyon and from where you can observe the spectacular flight of the condors. Peru's Andean Condors (Vultur gryphus) are listed by the World Conservation Union as "vulnerable." One of the world's largest flying birds, the condor soars on ten-foot (three-meter) wingspans and can weigh up to 33 pounds (15 kilograms). On the way we stop at the Mirador de Choquetico vantage point to see a a Shrine to Apu, the mountain god. The Inca believed that, by terracing, they were affecting the body of Apu, the mountain god. They would commonly carve the plans for the terracing on the mountain wall, seeking Apu's approval and a bountiful harvest. Also at Mirador de Choquetico we saw the fantastic hanging tombs or in Spanish "tumbas colgantes"; which resulted in the Colca Valley's name. We then stopped at the Cruz del Condor vantage point for about two hours to see some wonderful views of Colca Canyon and the famous Peruvian "Andean Condors" that frequent the area. After viewing the condors, we returned back the way we had come to the Mirador de Antahuilque vantage point to view the Colca Valley Terraces and three mysterious lagoons. We visit Coporaque Town which is situated 8 kilometres west of Chivay. Coporaque is the oldest religious precinct in the Colca Valley. It contains the Church of Santiago (James) The Apostle. We then continued on our trip back to Chivay and then toward our hotel in Arequipa.

Colca Canyon Detail Map, Courtesy of Rumi Llaqta Hotel

Click Here To See A Video Of Two Condors Flying At "Cruz del Condor" 3.61 MB File

The "Crux del Condor" Lookout Point
View To The Colca River From The "Crux del Condor" Lookout Point
View Of A Condor From The "Crux del Condor" Lookout Point
Shrine To Apu, The Mountain God, To Show Him How The Terraces Would Look In Colca Canyon, If He Approved, The Terraces Could Be Built! Note The Beautiful Peruvian Torch Cactus (Trichocereus Peruvianus)

Colca Canyon Lodge The Breakfast Tables Were Set But No Food Was Ready!	Freezing Cold Rooms! No Hot Water For Bathing! We Finially Leave!
At Mirador de Choquetico We See Wonderful Pre Inca Terraces	Wait, What Is The Rock On The Bottom Right About?
It Is A Shrine To Apu The Mountain God	To Get Apu's Approval For Making Terraces
Apu Approved These Terraces	Apu Approved These Too!
We Notice A Bridge Crossing The Colca River To The Left	Bridge Crossing The Colca River
Colca River	Colca River Terraces
Also At Mirador de Choquetico There is Something Strange here!	Ancient Man Made Structures!
Fantastic Hanging Tombs	Of Colca Canyon
Fantastic Red Hanging Tombs	Fantastic Red Hanging Tombs
Crux del Condor	Everyone Is Looking For A Condor
Hey! George See's One!	Andean Condor, Vultur gryphus
Flying Condor At "Crux del Condor"	Soaring Condor At "Crux del Condor"
Condor Feeding At "Crux del Condor"	Close Up Photo Of A Condor At Ica Airport, Ica Peru "Pepe" Was Saved As A Baby
Views Of Colca Canyon From "Crux del Condor"	Views Of Colca Canyon From "Crux del Condor"
Views Of Colca Canyon From "Crux del Condor"	Views Of Colca Canyon From "Crux del Condor"
Cross At "Crux del Condor"	Tour Bus Stop At The Cross At "Crux del Condor"
The Lower Level Viewing Area At "Crux del Condor"	Restrooms At The Lower Level Viewing Area "Crux del Condor" In Background
View Leaving "Crux del Condor"	Church Of Santiago (James) The Apostle In Coporaque Town
Antahuilque Lookout Point View	Antahuilque Terraces
Antahuilque Mystery Lagoons	Antahuilque Mystery Lagoons
Chivay Town Observatory	We Say Goodby To Chivay