HOMESTAY IN COLCA CAÑON trekking 7/6

FIRST DAY:
Passenger Pickup at Your Hotel: 3:30AM
From Arequipa, we take a five hour journey to Chivay. Upon arrival, a short rest stop is made, and tickets are purchased for entrance into the park. This initial excursion offers a wide panoramic vistas of llamas and vicunas grazing while the sun rises over the high plains of the Andes. (el altiplano) The highway reaches its high point at 4900 meters (13385 feet) where before your very eyes a magnificent view of the snow-capped Andean Cordillera, the very backbone of the South American continent, is unveiled before your very eyes.
From this point, we continue to El Cruz de Condor, where we overlook the deepest points of the Colca Cañon. It is from here where we can watch the condor - a species threatened with extinction - cruise the turbulent, windy updrafts that come up from the canyon floor. From here, we go to the village of CABANACONDE (3287 meters) where lunch is served and we make final preparations for the descent into the canyon.
From Cabanaconde, the first part of the trek takes us through several campos de maize while we behold the magnificent backdrop of the Andes. The actual descent into the canyon begins at El Mirador De Achachihua. Along the trail we learn about the varieties of kinds of flora and the different properties of each plant.
Boots withou heavy tread are not an option, as the trail at times can be slippery, especially during the rainy season. The distance from the top of the canyon to bottom is 2020 meters (4515 feet) and is walk of about 5 hours to arrive at the village of Llahuar. Upon arrival, a natural hot springs of 35C awaits the tired traveler. For those that are inclined to do so trout fishing is available on the river.
SECOND DAY:
Morning awakens you to the every changing glory of red rock walls, watching shadows descend while the sun climbs high into the sky. After breakfast the trail takes us to the village of Llatica, about a 2 hour walk and from there, we continue up the valley to the village of Fure, (1 hour more) where we stop for lunch. Afterwards, for those who so desire, another hour and a half climb takes us to Huaruro Falls, a spectacular cascade of water of more than 150 meters. (585 ft.) After as short rest we return to camp for dinner and the second night.
THIRD DAY:
After breakfast, we continue our expedition to the village of Malata. (4 hours) This part of the trail offers us some incredible vistas of the Andes in all of their splendor and if we’re lucky, we can see the condors cruising on the upper air currents in the canyon. Upon arrival in Malata, we discover that even in this remote canyon village, the very influence of Roman Catholicism is experienced with a XVII Century Colonial Church. It is here that you will meet your respective families, with whom you shall be staying with for the next couple of days. During your stay, all meals prepared are from all produce that is grown and harvested in the canyon.
FOURTH DAY:
After breakfast, we make a short excursion to the village of Cosñirhua to visit an elementary school to teach English to children for 3 hours. You will be received like royalty as the children really appreciate this opportunity to develop their English speaking skills. In the afternoon, we return to Malata and assist the family with the the gathering of cochineal -- a parasitic insect that lives off the cactus that grows in the canyon. These insects are an essential ingredient in the production of a dye that used for the coloring Alpaca wool. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochineal
FIFTH DAY:
After breakfast, we have yet another excursion of about two hours to the village of TAPAY to provide English classes at another elementary school. After words, we visit the ancient ruins of KJAKJA, a pre-Inca village abandoned for centuries.(30 minutes) We then return to MALATA and visit a small a small museum of local family, with many fascinating artifacts dating back before the days of El Conquistador.
SIXTH DAY:
This day, after breakfast, we go to la chakra (the field) where an offering is made to pachama (Mother Earth) This is a daily ceremony to show respect to for the land as a source of sustenance for all who live in the canyon. The remainder of the morning is spent working in the field doing whatever is necessary to assist the local villagers. We return to the village in time for lunch, and after words we therapeutic bath has been prepared for us which consists many medicinal plants and herbs of the region. The day is closed out with an evening farewell party where the villagers are dressed in traditional costumes for folkloric dances and diner festivities.
SEVENTH DAY:
The last day of the journey requires an early departure at 4:00 in the morning. For those who choose to avoid the strenuous climb up and out of the canyon, mules are available at a cost. We will arrive in CABANACONDA at 7:00 for breakfast. After words, we begin our trip back to Arequipa, with one final detour in Chivay, where we can soak our tired muscles at the thermal hot springs. We cap off the trip at any one of the many restaurants in Chivay, where usually a sumptuous buffet of all you can eat Peruvian Cuisines.. Return time to La Ciudad Blanca from our fascinating journey is approximately 6:30 PM