Peru Travel Insights: A trip to the Colca Canyon

Those of you on twitter may recall that in February our good friend Ricky travelled to the Colca Canyon and stayed at Colca Lodge while live tweeting about the experience. Below is his full report of the trip with some great insights and tips for Aracari guests.

Last month I ventured with Aracari to the Colca Canyon right in the middle of the rainy season. I was advised against this by many as Arequipa had been dealing with the worst rains in a decade, but I for one love the rain and find it to be very relaxing. I flew to Arequipa and took a shared minivan for a good 4 hours through the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, a meseta (plateau) at 4,000 metres altitude. We passed through the heart of the vicuña habitat, the wild cousin of the South American camelid family. I only felt any effects from altitude for a good 30 minutes during the trip.

We finally arrived at Colca Lodge, located in the middle of the ancestral farming terraces at 3,250 metres. Out of all of the hotels in the Canyon it has the best views.

The lodge is rustic Andean chic with 45 cabin-type rooms .There are three suites including the bridal suite with its own jacuzzi, as well as double, twin, triple and quadruple rooms. All rooms have heating, hot water (from solar power), mini bar and a terrace, but no TVs which might bore some people like me. There is no wifi in the rooms either. Since I was travelling alone I felt a little lonely in the evenings, wifi would have kept me company.

The onsite restaurant offers ‘Alpandina’ cuisine, combining local Andean produce and alpine techniques, resulting in flavourful and well-balanced meals. Additional facilities include 2 bars, a library, a living room with a large fireplace and a games room.

A particular attraction are 3 private thermal baths which are fed by volcanic hot springs – a perfect place to relax under a star-filled sky after a day of exploring the Colca Valley. The water of the hot springs is rich in lithium, an element that promotes relaxation. However due to the high levels of the Colca river, these pools were completely washed over and guests were offered complimentary access to the Eco-spa pool.

The Eco-Spa was incredible, it offered the well-being I was looking for. There is a steam room and a jacuzzi, which use natural geothermal energy.  I had two Swedish massages done with the sounds of the river flooding in my ears.

Aracari clients enjoying a Peru luxury tour will be accompanied by their own guide and driver and will explore traditional Colca villages, churches and visit the Cruz del Condor. For those with some free time the lodge offers activities (for an additional charge) including horse riding which I did which included trails to the Uyo Uyo ruins.

Related Post
Trip Report: Desert, Lagoons and the Salar de Uyuni Peru trip report by Marisol Mosquera I have been to the Salar de Uyuni  and Desert + Lagoons area twice before, but it had been a while since I last ...
‘Tis the season: Gift giving in Patakancha In the spirit of the holidays, Aracari just returned from a gift-giving trip to the village of Patakancha set high in the Sacred Valley that surrounds...
Callao Monumental – Visiting The Center Of Urban Art in Lima Callao, a colorful district on the north-western edge of Lima, is quickly gaining a reputation as the center for urban art in Peru. Where else in the ...
What Price ‘Free Trade’? Potential reduction of the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park Tambopata River, photo credit: Rainforest Expeditions In the era of the environmental cr...
El Mercado Hotel Cusco Opens El Mercado Hotel Cusco Opens El Mercado Tunqui is the newest offering from the same team who brought us the lodge to lodge Salkantay trek, is set to ...
“Aracari took care of all the details and we thoroughly enjoyed the tr... Heading towards winter and we have received lots of positive feedback over the last month. Our Travel Planners Caitlin and Cristina won particular pra...