Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa once called the Colca "The Valley of
Marvels." In the Colca, travelers will find a series of circuits of breathtaking
beauty that have only recently been included as part of adventure expeditions. Located 150
kilometers north of Arequipa at the end of a gravel road, it’s made up of an almost
endless web of horse trails that crisscross the valley’s ridges to link colonial
towns of unusual splendor. A touch of interest is added by the beautiful lakes, unique
formations carved by erosion into the rock, and plentiful, rare animal and plant wildlife
including the Andean condor and vicuña, queñual forests and fields with century-old
yaretas. Major attractions include the area’s imposing snow-capped volcanoes some of
which are active, like Hualca Hualca (6,025 m), Sabancaya (5,976 m) and Ampato (6,288 m)
among others.Since the dawn of time, the Colca has been home to the Collagua and Cabana
ethnic groups, 
two peoples whose origins can be traced back to the High Plateau Pucara and
Quechua ethnic groups from Cuzco. Their mastery of hydraulic engineering can be seen in
the sophisticated system of agricultural terraces that decorates the steep flanks of the
valley One of the most popular trekking routes in the Colca links Cabanaconde and Tapay.
The expedition lasts from three to four days during which travelers will enjoy some
impressive scenery, Cabana villages like Cosnihua and Malata, and numerous pre-Hispanic
ruins.
Tour operators in Arequipa and Colca (towns of Chivay and Yanque) offer trekking and horseback riding packages. Lodging and restaurants catering to all tastes and budgets are also available.