Chivay and the Colca Canyon: a border experience for body and mind

This morning we were picked up after less than an hour of sleep (02:30 am) and driven by bus to the highest point of the Colca Canyon. This is located at over 4800m. It was freezing cold up there and the atmosphere on the bus was also frosty. We reached the first stop around 6 am and had breakfast. Then, completely exhausted, we continued until we finally arrived at the famous Condor Cross around 8:15 am. We could see 2 little birds, and then we continued. Finally, we began our descent of the Colca Canyon with our backpacks. The descent into the village of the locals took over 4 hours and was by far the most challenging hike of my life. Circulatory problems and intense sun combined with gravel and altitude were extremely difficult for our bodies. It quickly becomes clear why you have to consume several thousand calories in the form of twix, snickers and energy bars within a few hours - you urgently need the energy, your body is screaming for carbohydrates and without the necessary sugar, you collapse. I quickly became a cola junkie again, but that doesn't matter.

We finally reached the lodge for the first night around 2 pm and were served our first alpaca fillet. Very delicious. I like it! Mom took a nap and I rested among the other backpackers. It is only when you sit down and rest at this altitude that you realize how exhausted you are. The view compensates a little bit, but it is still so exhausting that you just want to sit down and never get up again 😄 By the way, there is no electricity in the village of the locals, which also means no light in the rooms and no power outlets. After the sun has set in the evening, you can't even see your hand in front of your face. There was also no shower or toilet in our room, but plenty of giant spiders.

Our guide wanted to show us the nearby village in the afternoon, but he felt sick and stayed in bed. Mom and I searched for the village for an hour - in vain 😄 Now we are trying to sleep and recover a bit.

Severe muscle soreness in the legs!!!

The next day, after breakfast, we started the second part of the trekking. We thought it couldn't be more exhausting than the first day, but we were wrong. This day was an absolute border experience. Completely exhausted, we arrived at our lodge, called Oasis here. Unfortunately, I struggled a lot for the rest of the day, as my body got rid of everything from the top and bottom. I spare you the details, it was very unpleasant. I also spent the night over the toilet and got about 1 hour of sleep.

We started the next morning at 6 am, weakened and tired. This time, the ascent to 4600m altitude was only possible with a donkey. We climbed to the summit of the mountain within 2 hours, over hills and stones. From there, we took the bus back to Chivay and continued to Puno in the afternoon. We are slowly getting used to the altitude and hope to be spared from altitude sickness.

Conclusion Colca Canyon trekking:

In the pictures you can only see impressive landscapes and mountains, but when you have walked up and down there, pushed your physical limits and still made it, you look at everything a little differently. I take my hat off to the locals who live here with their donkeys without electricity and light, who provide tourists with food in their open kitchen with the simplest means, and who live so secluded that they have never even heard the word WLAN.