Sipia Waterfall

The Cotahuasi canyon is among the deepest in the world, cut over three thousand metres below the surrounding peaks, and Sipia is where the Cotahuasi river drops around 150 metres in a single powerful fall into a narrow section of it. The volume is what registers - this is a substantial river forced through a constriction, and the noise and spray fill the gorge. Reaching it means driving from Cotahuasi town to a trailhead and then walking about two hours each way on a path cut into the canyon wall, exposed in places with a long drop and no barrier, hot in the middle of the day and with no shade. A bridge crosses below the fall. The whole area is a long way from anywhere: Cotahuasi is ten to twelve hours from Arequipa by road over high passes, and the province receives very few visitors compared with Colca.

What you actually see

• The fall - about 150 metres of a substantial river into a narrow gorge.
• The canyon - Cotahuasi, among the deepest in the world.
• The cliff path - two hours each way, exposed with an unbarriered drop.
• The remoteness - ten to twelve hours from Arequipa by road.

When to go

April to November. Water volume is highest at the end of the wet season, which is also when the path is worst. Start early - the walk is hot and unshaded.

Honest expectations

Ten to twelve hours from Arequipa to reach the area at all. The path is exposed with unbarriered drops and is not for anyone uneasy with heights. No shade, no water on the route. Very limited accommodation in Cotahuasi.

Nearby

Cotahuasi town is the base; the Valle de los Volcanes is south-east.