The Colca Canyon is a well known cliff just 160 kilometers outside of Arequipa. It is formed due to erosion of the volcanic rock by the Colca River. Due to the rather gentle cliff it does not appear that deep, but with an astonishing 3.270 meters it is twice as deep as Americas’ Grand Canyon. The name ”Colca” is derived from the clefts in the wall of the canyon which are called colcas. They were used by the Incas for several reasons, including food storage (patotoes, quinoa etc), and graveyards for important people. The canyon offers a unique ecosystem giving place for many species of animals like llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, pumas and many more. Besides this, it’s known for its famous bird; the condor. It can be beheld from close distance from the Cruz del Condor, which you certainly won’t miss during the tour!