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First trek through the deepest canyon in the world
This expedition explores the wild, remote region of the Andes mountain range around Cotahuasi in southern Peru. Below Cotahuasi the river flows though the deepest canyon in the world. Although the canyon has been run by a handful of extreme rafting / kayaking expeditions there are no records of a group attempting a trek of its entire length; this Pioneer expedition aims to be the first group to
achieve this.
This challenging expedition encompasses real adventure with the natural wonders and fascinating ancient history of the region. We will trek along wild and rocky trials accessible only by foot, encountering spectacular mountain scenery and picturesque hamlets deep in the canyon. We shall visit the world’s largest petroglyph field with mysterious figures carved into the rocks well before Inca times. In Arequipa there are fine colonial buildings, at Luicho we can soak in steaming thermal baths and at 3500m above sea level, we shall visit the Valley of Volcanoes’ with its 80 small inactive cones. |
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| Price Includes |
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All meals freshly prepared while camping |
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All equipment for camping |
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Guide services and tour leader |
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Transfers |
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All parks, entrance fees |
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All drinks (less those at hotel stay) |
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Trekking equipment inc harnesses for cable crossings |
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Mules and muleteers |
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| Price Excludes |
Tips
Optional excursions
Personal expenses
Personal camping kit such as sleeping bag
Rucksac and water bottle/torch etc |
| Suitability / Level |
Demanding |
| Theme |
Small Group Travel
(Click to Search All) |
| Max Group Size |
8 |
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Itinerary & Highlights
Traversing the deepest canyon in the world (3354 m), sometimes crossing the river using harnesses on cable crossings and over rustic but sturdy suspension bridges, will take ten days. Trekking through this impressive gorge a lot of time will be spent in unknown isolation with chances to see ancient civilisation, including evidence of past occupations, amphitheatres and the burial sites of the lost city of Marpa.
The headwaters of the River Cotahuasi have their source in the Cordillera de Huanzo, a remote and very rarely visited part of the Peruvian Andes in the extreme north west of the Department of Arequipa, and discharge some 300km later into the Pacific Ocean as the River Ocoña. Although the Cotahuasi region was declared a Zona Reserva Turistica in 1988 very little was known about the area and even less about the canyon until a kayak / raft expedition first ran it in 1994. Subsequent interest and a surveying expedition confirmed the deepest point of the canyon (at Ninochaca just below Quechualla) to have a depth of 3354 m, making it the deepest canyon in the world and 163m deeper than nearby Colca Canyon which was previously thought to hold the record. In pre-Colombian times the canyon was a more travelled route; an Inca road ran through most of the length and many sections still remain, as well as agricultural terracing and ruins. This Inca road may well have been based on routes previously built and used by the Huari culture, an
important power in the highlands of central and southern Peru from 600-1000AD.
16TH SEPT - 3RD OCT 2008 • 18 DAYS • 17 NIGHTS • £1595
Arrive in Lima, rendezvous with expedition leader and transfer to hotel. Lima was founded in 1535 as “City of the Kings” by Francisco Pizarro (Conquistador of the Incas) as his capital. Although earthquakes have destroyed the original city the historic centre contains many impressive colonial buildings from later periods, and the city also has many first class museums, especially dealing with Peru’s impressive pre-Colombian history.
An hour’s flight takes us to Arequipa, Peru’s second city, set in a beautiful desert valley dominated by volcanoes. It is also known as “The White City” as much of the city is built from a white volcanic rock known locally as “sillar”, giving it a distinctive atmosphere. The historic centre has been declared a UNESCO heritage site and contains many fine colonial buildings and churches. Of particular interest are the Santa Catalina convent (a beautiful “mini-city” shut off from the outside world until the 1970s) and the Andean sanctuaries Museum (containing frozen Inca human sacrifices discovered on nearby volcanoes by National Geographic expeditions).
Using 4x4s we set off into the spectacular mountain scenery around Arequipa. Our route initially heads west along the Pan American highway through the desert, before climbing inland towards the Andean mountains. We spend the first night at Corire which gives us the chance to visit the nearby archaeological site of Toro Muerto, the world’s largest petroglyph field, where hundreds of rocks covered in mysterious figures carved before the Incas arrived in the region lie scattered across a bleak desert valley.
On the next day we climb out of the desert and into the high Andes, passing close to the glacier covered flanks of Coropuna volcano (at 6425m the highest peak in southern Peru) before the road winds down to the small village of Andagua. Andagua sits at 3500m in a valley known the “The Valley of the Volcanoes”, once a centre of intense geological activity and now containing over 80 small inactive cones and bizarre volcanic scenery. We will spend some time in this unusual region before retracing our route out of Andagua past Corpuna volcano the next day and heading north-west across the bleak altiplano (literally “high plain”) before dropping steeply to the small village of Cotahuasi.
Despite the bleak and hostile terrain some interesting high altitude plant and wildlife species can be found in these regions; the domestic South American cameloids (llamas and alpacas) are commonly seen grazing and, with luck, we will also see their beautiful and much rarer wild cousin the vicuña. Cotahuasi is the main centre for exploring the network of valleys and canyons that contain the headwaters of the River Cotahuasi.
A short drive takes us to the nearby highland village of Pampamarca and a chance to visit the bizarre rock formations at Huito and the Uskune waterfall. We return via the thermal baths at Luicho, an opportunity to soak and relax before beginning our trek through the canyon! Andean condors are present in the whole Cotahuasi region and with luck we will be able to spot one of these majestic
birds (with a potential wingspan of over 3m!) soaring gracefully on thermals.
Below Cotahuasi the river of the same name has carved out the deepest canyon in the world. A short drive takes us closer to the start of the canyon where we enter a wild rocky world only accessible by foot or raft/kayak. A short walk brings us to the Sipia waterfall, where the entire river plunges spectacularly over 100m into a narrow fissure. Below here the trail climbs before traversing along a narrow trail cut out of the canyon wall in places (not for vertigo sufferers!) to reach the small citrus growing village of Chaupo some 3 hours below Sipia. From Chaupo the trail levels and continues through giant cacti forests to Velinga.
Day 1 Arrive Lima
Day 2 Fly to Arequipa
Days 3-5 Drive to Cotahuasi
Day 6 In Cotahuasi (2680m)
Day 7 Trek through Cotahuasi Canyon to Velinga (1980m; 6-7 hours approx)
Day 8 Trek through Cotahuasi Canyon to Quechualla (1700m; 6 hours)
Below Velinga we continue deeper into the canyon, at times following remains of the original pre-Colombian trail and passing the ruins of the storehouses, agricultural terraces and checkpoints that once lined this route in ancient times.
Near Quechualla is Ninochaca, the deepest point of the whole canyon. Quechualla itself is a pretty little hamlet with its streets covered in vines; grapes and wines are grown and produced here in season.
Days 9&10 Trek through Cotahuasi Canyon via Huachuy (3100m) to Marpa
From Quechualla the trail climbs for several hours out of the canyon to reach the small highland village of Huachuy - the highest point of the trek at 3100 m. The next day is the longest day of trekking – for 10-12 hours we continue through the rugged scenery along the canyon’s rim before beginning a long steep rocky descent back down into the canyon to reach the ruins of Marpa.
We should traverse rustic, but solid wooden/cable suspension bridges and possibly cross the canyon using cables, pulleys and harnesses.
Day 11 The Lost City of Marpa
The ruins of Marpa are by far the largest in the canyon; it is possible the site once covered an area similar in size to Machu Picchu. Probably dating initially from the Huari period, extensive areas of terracing as well as residential areas cover the steep canyon walls on both sides of the river, showing that the ability to plan and build cities on steep mountainsides was not confined to the Incas! We spend a day here to relax and explore this impressive site more thoroughly.
Unlike Machu Picchu, the lost city of Marpa sees few visitors due to its inaccessible location and we can explore the terraced fields, amphitheatres and burial sites (Chulpas) in relative peace.
Days 12-16 Trek through Cotahuasi Canyon to Barrera (5-6 hours per day)
Below Marpa the canyon is hardly known except to a few river runners; the route continues beneath rocky walls, with sections of the original trail and archaeological remains showing that it was once an important route in pre-Colombian times. On day 14 two other rivers join the Cotahuasi in quick succession near Quiñache to form the River Ocoña, which continues to the Pacific Ocean.The next day we reach Chaucalla (900m). Below here the canyon starts to open out and we have finally reached the Andean foothills and lowlands. We spend the final night of the trek at Barrera.
Day 17 Drive from Barrera to Arequipa.
In Barrera we meet our transport for a full day’s drive following a rough road on down the Ocoña River valley to meet the Pan American highway; which takes us through Peru’s rugged desert coastal plain before climbing into the mountains back to Arequipa.
Day 18 Fly to Lima
Note: While our intention is to adhere to the day to day route as printed, a degree of flexibility is built into the itinerary and night stops may vary from those suggested. The day to day schedule should be taken only as a general guide. We cannot accept responsibility for changing the proposed itinerary or any inaccuracies or errors. A variety of factors, including adverse weather conditions and difficulties with transportation, can lead to enforced changes. The expedition leader will make any changes where necessary. |
Accommodation & Center
Details
Where possible we will stay in first class accommodation, though please bear in mind outside the main cities accommodation is likely to be basic and limited, we will stay in the best available. During the trek we will be travelling in remote, rugged terrain and accommodation will be in 2 person tents.
If you require accommodation either before or after the trip, we can book this for you (subject to availability) provided you notify us at the time of booking. Payment for this should be made to Pioneer before departure.
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