What to do and see in Cabanaconde - Colca Canyon

List of things you can do and explore in Cabanaconde

1 -The Depth of Colca Canyon

Colca Canyon is consider one of the deepest canyons of the world and since 2016 UNESCO declared it a Geo-park for its importance and unique geological landscape. The canyon goes along aprox. 80km and it will end on the Pacific Ocean. If you want to see the real perspective of the depth of Colca Canyon, then you should come to Cabanaconde and get the best views. The Canyon starts from the village of Pinchollo, continues to Cabanaconde and ends in Huambo. Most hikers visits Cabanaconde, but you can also enjoy by visiting Cabanaconde and get great views with short hikes. Definitely you will see the best panoramic views from Cabanaconde.

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2 - Cruz del Condor

The Iconic bird of the Andes is the Condor. One of the best viewpoints to see these huge scavenger birds it is found in Cabanaconde, only 15 minutes by car. Chances are big to observe condors, everyday from 7am to 10am. From Cabanaconde to Cruz del Condor is easy to reach by car, local bus, taxi or a tour that we offer, check here cruz del Condor tour. You can also read more about this viewpoint at my blog Cruz del Condor.

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3 - The Viewpoints of Cabanaconde.

From Cabanaconde you can do short walks of 30 minutes to reach different viewpoint such as: Mirador de San Miguel, Mirador de Cejana, Mirador de Achachiwa. These viewpoints offers a spectacular view of Colca Canyon and see the surrounds of the village and its pre-inca tarraces. You will also meet local people going their farms.

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2 - The Cabanas Pre-Inka Terraces

Cabanaconde is an old pre-inka settlement and the presence of the ancient terraces belongs to them. Most of the terraces that you will observe in Cabanaconde are still in use and they have more than a 1 thousand years. Such big project was built by the Cabanas Culture and the irrigation system still works and nothing had changed since them. It is very impressive to see these terraces in Colca Canyon and Cabanaconde is not the exception. The main crop in all terraces is corn and it is very famous in all Peru.

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4 - The Geyser of Pinchollo (Infiernillo)

The geyser of Pinchollo is easy to reach from Cabanaconde and it takes 1hr by car. The Geyser of Infiernillo is always active and it offers a great view of the extinct volcano of Hualca Hualca. If you are in Cabanaconde you can mix your day by visiting the condors viewpoint and continue to the Geyser, But this necessarily to do with a tour of by a private car. Our hostel organize the visit of Cruz del Condor and the Geyser. You can also do a bike downhill tour which it is very alternative.See Geyser tour here.

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5 - Mucurca Lagoon (4, 130m).

If you are looking for more off the beaten track you should explore the Mucurca lagoon. This hidden place is full of life and great views of the 3 volcanoes of Colca Canyon: Hualca-Hualca, Sabankaya and Ampato. To reach the lagoon you need a tour, our hostel pachamama offers this tour that it last 4 hrs. You can read more info here for Mucurca Tour.

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6 - Tradition and Clothing

Cabanaconde is a typical village of the Andes and it offers to the visitors a different experience. Once of the things that out stands when you enter in Colca Canyon is the clothing and mainly the hats wared by women. You will see 2 different types of hats, Collaguas and Cabanaconde, but Cabanaconde pays more the attention for its beauty and style.
Cabanaconde also have many traditions and depending on the day you will be lucky to see the festivities. The anniversary of Cabanaconde is on 16th July, but from day 13 till 18th you will see many activities. Other days: 2nd January - Creation of the distrit of Cabanaconde, 2nd february - Candelaria, April - eastern, 6th June - San Pedro , 7th June - Flag's Day, 10th July - Ancient tradition of cleaning the Canals, August - sowing corn, 1st November - day of the dead,

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6 - The Ruins of Kallimarka

Kallimarka ruins is on the hill of the same name which it lies South-East of Cabanaconde. This abandoned ruins belonged the Cabanas culture. It was an important settlement for its strategic location. It is interesting to explore it if you are in Cabanaconde, the walk takes half day (4hrs). It really offers a great view of the pre-inca terraces, the view of the Canyon and the snowcapped mountain of Hualca-Hualca volcano (6,025 meters). We definitely recommend you to hike this short walk if you are in Cabanaconde.

Pachamama offers a tour with a mule. You can visit the abandoned ruins of Kallimarka and explore Cabanaconde in a different way. More information here.

Directions if you plan to walk

You can get more information at Pachamama. Go South-East of Cabanaconde and ask local people the route to HUAMBO. Follow the route till you find a placard that it says "Kallimarka". Take the trail to the left of the placard and hike till you get again to a route. You will find 2 other placards, find the old one made of wood and follow the path which is all the way up to the ruins. The walk takes about 4 hours round trip.

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We encourage you to visit Cabanaconde and stay at our hostel Pachamama. We offer you the best trekking information and we also have the right trekking map to Explore Trekking in Colca Canyon.