Cotahuasi 7 days
Level of Difficulty: Strenuous
Day 1
We leave Arequipa in our 4WD; after 3 hours traveling we will arrive to the Majes Valley near to Corire, we will visit the petrogliphys of Toro Muerto. We have a guided tour in the area. The carvings comprise somewhat crude animal, human, and geometric representations. Although some estimates claim that there are 6,000 engraved stones at Toro Muerto, after this visit we keep driving till Chuquibamba, here we have a stop for Lunch, here the good highway is finish and starts the dirt road, in our 4wd, we do the pass at 4,900 m, batwing Coropuna (6424 m.) and Solimana (63OO m). At this height, we are able to see some vicugnas, and then we start the descend to the Cotahuasi canyon, arriving by sunset to this beautiful town, after dinner we rest in a comfortable hotel.
Day 2
Walk through the deep canyon crossing hanging bridges and
narrow paths on the river shore. We will reach the Sipia Waterfalls.
From the deepest canyon, we may observe the huge natural parts that
form the deepest canyon in the world. We may also observe the
flight of condors, hike to the Catarata de Sipia ( Sipia Falls ). On our 2
hours hike to the falls we should encounter "campesinos" (peasants)
transporting goods on the Inca Road (which is really a trail) using
either llamas or donkeys as pack animals. Picnic Lunch at 63 m. high Sipia
waterfall. After lunch we will follow the Inca trail over the
waterfall until the village of Velinga where we will camp and enjoy the hot springs .
Day 3
After breakfast we hike down to the Cotahuasi river, then we keep going down river to Quechualla village, located at 1300 meters, now we are at the deepest point of the canyon,
Here we have a rest and taste the best wine of the canyon, and after lunch, we continue up hill to Huachuy village located at 2,900m. belonging to Toro District, from here we have a dramatic view of the canyon walls, rest, and dinner and sleep in tents.
Day 4
After breakfast, we go down to the deepest part of this canyon, we decent for an ancient pre Inca trail, with impressive views of the canyon after a rest and lunch we keep going and we cross the river by the "andarivel" real adventure adrenaline to cross this iron cable, so we arrive to Marpa, (here the people make wine and Pisco) then we set the camp, dinner and sleep.
DAY 5
After breakfast, we hike along the right wall of the Cotahuasi canyon, the weather is changed now is warmer and our trek is slower. We see 5 different cactus species in the trail and then we arrive to the Oasis of Yachau located at 700 meters. We can appreciate lots of different fruit trees and mainly grapes plantations, the wine is also very good and the locals are very proud of it.
Day 6
After early breakfast we start hiking to Chaucalla, here we have an unforgettable experience seing a very impressive basalt rock formations, and when is midday we have to stop for lunch to avoid the heat of noon and after we keep going arriving to our next camp around 3 in the afternoon, set the camp, little look around dinner and sleep.
Day 7
After a very early breakfast to avoid the heat and save some time to the long trek we have this last day, after 4 hours we have lunch and keep in the hike 2 hours more and finally we catch our 4wd vehicle, at the end of a dirt road, some cold beers are waiting for us to celebrate the ending of this expedition, here we will drive to the selected destiny Nasca or Arequipa, 6 hours away in both sides of the Pan-American highway.
 Equipment:
- Towel
- Swimming suit
- Mosquito repellent
- Sun block
- Toilet paper
- Boots
- Sandals
- Flash light
- Batteries
- Sun hat
- Sun glasses
- Coins(some change for drinks)
- Book for free time
- Rain jacket
- Sleping bag
- Water purification tablets.
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