Colca canyon - day I

pickup from the hotel was at 1am (so i got 3 hours of sleep) by taxi, we were taken to the bus station where we boarded a local city bus :) well that was an experience! i was just given a ticket and was told to get on the bus.. there was another girl in my taxi who luckily spoke good spanish. we were suppose to get off at the last stop and our guide would meet us there.. no names nothing. but ok back to the bus station in Arequipa: there were 2 buses leaving at 1:30am to the same location so half of the people were at the wrong bus.. that took lots of yelling and screaming and confusion to sort out.. but finally we got going.. all the seats were full and many people stood in the aisle as well.. the ride was gonna be 6h. while still in town the bus stopped once and a while and picked up even more people. i tried to sleep.. i guess i was taking like 10 naps that lasted about 12 minutes :) the closer we got to the destination the colder it got.. finally it was freezing... and we have arrived to our destination: Cabanaconde (i think that was the name of the place)

so we stand at the central square and we find out guide.. next is breakfast.. there are 2 guys from Israel eating with us and 2 other tourist groups headed to Colca canyon... after breakfast we wait some more.. finally after an hour or so we start moving.. we part from the guys as they are doing 3 hour trek, we are doing the 2 hour one... so there is just 2 of us + the guide.. like a private tour :D

one of the first things the guide sais is: there is nothing to see today.. we just walk. great?! of course that was not quite true as the sights were soo amazing. first we walk on flat ground for about 45 minutes then we descent to the river for about 2 hours. oh the descent is painful.. it is sooo hot in the sun, there is no breeze.. the track has lots of loose stones on it so it is very difficult to go downhill without sliding. it is very dusty.. you feel sand in your mouth.. you can´t see your shoes or socks anymore cause your legs are all gray from knees down.. each time you blink your eyes they squeak :) ... anyhoo it was something entirely different.. like walking in the desert. the scenery was gorgeous of course... and i had plenty of water so it was fine. once at the bridge we had to buy the entrance ticket... and after about 30 minute rest we move on.. to the lunch location. it is another hour.. varying between uphill and flat surface.

we get to the lunch spot.. it is gorgeous :D little huts.. lots of flowers.. tables.. running water. our guide is also the cook so we just sit and relax since he is just starting to cook.. it will be a while. the sun is shining, there is a breeze, we are offered cold drinks, we wash ourselves a bit and then we chat. after 45 minutes or an hour we have our meal (which is delicious) and then there is 30 minute siesta before we continue.

we have 3 hours to walk unless we take the short way there which is 1 hour less.. so we choose the shortcut.. first i try to find out if it is much more difficult but turns out not.. so we head out. it is beautiful.. we walk on the streams, we walk up the streams and down the streams.. we cross the streams... some streams or even river baths are dry.. not shortcut during the wet season i guess :) at times it seems that there is no actual route and we just head to a certain direction.. it is great. the scenery is beautiful again of course .. this time there is no direct sun so it is not that hot either. it is great. we are going mostly uphill.. sometimes on the flat ground as well.. then downhill to a bridge again. we are heading towards oasis :D .. before going downhill we see our destination... wonderful.. it is this green area with palm trees and a swimming pool :) oasis = paradise :D and it definitely looks like paradise down there. after descent it is another 30-40 minutes uphill and then we arrive to our camp site at the oasis.

it is wonderful... we take a shower (cold one but that is fine.. at least we can wash ourselves)... then i just occupy one of the hammocks and rest. the way it has been set up here is great... they have build a pool.. all the houses are made of bamboo kind of plant so the huts let air and light through.. it does look like a little paradise in the depth of the canyon.

we talk and rest.. the girl who i´m travelling with is from Uruguai.. she has just 2 weeks of winter vacation.. dinner is at 7... and then we have bonfire... and then to bed. the stars are wonderful.. more falling stars. also what is great.. it is not very cold here :D we go to bed around 9 as we gotta get up at 3am :(