Cotahuasi Canyon

Cotahuasi cuts through the western Andes north of Arequipa and is measured as deeper than the Colca, which makes it one of the deepest canyons anywhere, though depth in a canyon this wide is a statistic rather than something you see in a single view. What you do see is a river running far below terraced slopes, villages built in stone and reached by footpaths, and the Sipia falls, where the whole river drops into a narrow gorge in one stage. Hot springs sit at Luicho on the way in. The road from Arequipa takes most of a day or a night, which keeps numbers low and makes this a walking destination.

The landscape

• Sipia falls - the river dropping into a narrow slot, reached on a walking path from the road.
• The terraced valley villages - stone settlements on the slopes, linked by footpaths.
• Luicho hot springs - thermal pools beside the river on the approach road.
• The canyon depths - the river far below the rim, seen from points along the road and trails.

When to go

April to November is dry and the roads are open; the wet season brings landslides that can close the route for days. Nights are cold at the higher points and the canyon floor is hot at midday, so you need clothes for both. Travel in and out uses two days of any trip whatever else you plan. Buses run overnight.

What to expect

The journey is the main cost: ten to twelve hours each way on a road that is partly unpaved, with the return often overnight again. Accommodation in Cotahuasi town is simple and options are few. Walking between villages means long descents and climbs in heat. The depth record is not visible as a single view, which disappoints people expecting a Colca-style lookout.

Nearby

The Valley of the Volcanoes at Andagua lies east, and Arequipa is a long day away.

Key facts