Trek in Colca Canyon 30 May 2015

People inclined towards demanding hike along the canyon for gorgeous vistas.

 San Miguel Pampas
After visiting the lookout, we separated into different groups based on our chosen itinerary.  But a couple opted out as the guy did not feel well.  The lady guide accompanied them to the end point (Cabanaconde) to wait for us.  The remaining 7 of us started the trek by ourselves.  The youngest one is a girl at a age of 20, deferring her study at Cambridge to buy time for voluntary work in Peru.

Our starting point is very close to the older Janita museum.  "She" was transferred to Arequipa before the start of use of this museum.

Our trek today is walking all the way down to the bottom of the canyon

Bird on the top and overviews of the canyon

Finally, we reached the river

At 2:00, we reached a local home at San Juan de Chuccho.  The little boy was shy but curious to this strange guy

Colca Canyon

Colca and Cotahuasi canyons are the world's two deepest canyons.  Twice as deep as Arizona's Grand Canyon, Colca Canyon is typically a side trip from Arequipa, which is a three-hour drive away.

There was hotel pick-up at 3:30.  On the van, we had the sight of sunrise.

Fortunately, it was a good day for hiking

 We passed through Chivay (had breakfast) towards Cañón del Colca

Mirador Cruz del Cóndor
The highlight is the Cruz del Condor, a mirador where lucky visitors might spot the Andean condor in flight.

I followed others to get down to the cliff side, climbed to sit at the side to check our luck

Finally, the giant condor came to our sight

Monasterio de Santa Catalina 29 May 2015

Before visiting the monastery, I also paid a visit to Museo Santuarios Andinos where there was ‘Ice Maiden, Juanita’, the preserved body of a frozen ‘mummy’.  The 12-year-old Inca girl sacrificed to the gods in the 1450s and now eerily preserved in a glass refrigerator.  She was unearthed atop Nevado Ampato in 1995.  All should visit in group with a compulsory tour guide.

After lunch, I went to Monasterio de Santa Catalina.  This time I relied on the guide book but I mistakenly walked in a reversed direction.

A city unto itself, this 5-acre complex of mud-brick, Iberian-style buildings surrounded by vibrant fortress-like walls and separated by neat, open plazas and colorful gardens, is a working convent and one of Peru's most famed cultural treasures.

Founded in 1579 and closed to the public for the first 400 years, Santa Catalina was an exclusive retreat for the daughters of Arequipa's wealthiest colonial patrons.

Kitchen

Sewing machine

Iron

Cross and watering system

Roof top view

Simple alter in a room and the art gallery

After leaving the monastery, I got to have late lunch.  Then I lost my direction and went to Matrina Church.  On my way back, I watched sunset and  visited La Cathedral (largest church in Peru) as well.

Then I got back and took rest, preparing for my Colca Canyon trip early tomorrow morning.