Wonders of nature: Cotahuasi and Colca canyons

[Judi Lynn]

BY JOSE BENZAQUEN PEREA AMBASSADOR OF PERU
LAST EDITED JUNE 07, 2023 | 11:59 PM



One of the geographical features that attracts the world for its particular natural beauty are the canyons created by the riverbed, and formed by a process of excavating the earth over thousands of years. Among the deepest canyons on our planet we identify the Cotahuasi Canyon and the Colca Canyon, both located in the Andes of Peru, in the Arequipa Region, and with depths of 3,535 and 3,400 metres, respectively.

The Cotahuasi Canyon, also known as the Canyon of Wonders, is part of the Ocoña River basin, which in its 274km route forms valleys, waterfalls, and forests, to finally flow into the Pacific Ocean. This geographical feature is located in the Peruvian province of La Unión; territory located 379km from the city of Arequipa, at an altitude of 2,683 metres above sea level, harmoniously wrapped with a diverse nature in flora and fauna. On the other hand, in this region are also located the volcanoes: Coropuna, Sara Sara, Firura, and Auquihuato, with heights that exceed 5,000 metres.

In these places the visitor feels as if time has stopped, and where you can see the Andean condor, in its majestic flights with its wings that extend to more than 3 metres in length.

The inhabitants of this Peruvian area since ancient times have been communicated by roads and suspension bridges, built with their own materials and that until today remain as a legacy of these original populations of the South American country.

As for the Colca Canyon, Unesco in April 2019 included it in the International Network of Geoparks, together with volcanoes. This is also located in the aforementioned region of Arequipa, town of Chivay, where it runs along the Colca-Valle de Majes River and also flows into the Pacific Ocean.

More:
https://www.gulf-times.com/article/662590/opinion/wonders-of-nature-cotahuasi-and-colca-canyons

~ ~ ~

Please view these photos while sitting on a comfortable couch or large chair:

[niyad]

1. Those photos of the canyons are outstanding.

But what is the rmoney on the fainting couch about?

[Judi Lynn]

3. I was looking for images of fainting couches, and couldn't resist that one.

That image was posted on Twitter with the caption:

Mitt Romney Retires To Fainting Couch After Suggesting Trump May Be Acting Ignobly

(from the Onion)

on this thread:

Link to tweet

[EarnestPutz]

2. The 4th photo below the article, of tourists looking across the canyon, is just flat out amazing.

.....Even more so when one realizes that there is a town build on the terraced land on the other side. Human beings just seem to like a challenge, don't they?

[Judi Lynn]

4. It's astonishing they would ever attempt it. Overwhelming. Could it ever be worth the risk?

I have read that the structures are throughout the mountains along a very long road, the Inca Trail, and that there were even places at intervals the Incas built containing food, etc., regularly maintained by their government, for travelers who used the road. All accomplished in the remote past.

That's a challenge so vast I can hardly imagine it!

[EarnestPutz]

5. I agree completely, amazing people. Thanks for posting this, again among your usual.....

.....good stuff about the Americas.