The famed Peruvian novelist Mario Vargas Llosa called Colca the “Valley of Wonders,” and it’s easy to see why. At 3,400 m/11,100 ft, Colca Canyon is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the U.S., and many of the Valley’s stunning pre-Inca stone agricultural terraces are more than 1,000 years old. In the months after the rainy season, the photogenic valley is multiple shades of brilliant green.

Highly original activities and excursions, using the hotel as a base, are arranged to satisfy any level of curiosity and physical exertion. Visits to the famous Cruz del Cóndor lookout spot, where crowds gather to observe the flight of the great Andean condor, the world’s largest bird, are only the beginning of experiencing the Valley.

The Valley is a spectacular place for trekking along pre-Inca agricultural terraces and deep into the Canyon; for mountain biking along narrow paths used by locals & their llamas; for horseback riding among ancient villages; and appreciating the Valley’s famous local cultures, the Collagua and Cabana peoples that predate the Incas and are known for their spectacularly colorful dress.

To take full advantage of the full range of unique activities in Colca Valley, Casa Andina recommends a minimum of a 2-night stay in Chivay.