Cruz de Condores, Cabanaconde - near Arequipa
>> Friday, July 24, 2009
You're going all the way to Arequipa, so go a little further (about 5-6 hours) to see the Cruz de Condores in Cabanaconde. You will not be disappointed, as this is the highlight of many tourists' trips. You can either take a one or two day guided tour of the Colca Canyon, which is good for tpeople who are tired of ligistics, or you can struggle your way through the public transportation around the canyon.
Regarless, get to the Cruz del Condores lookout between 8 and 9:30, preferably during the dry season. There, you will see dozens, if not a hundred or more condors leaving their homes for the day. Keep your camera out; you never know when a condor will fly directly over your head or sit on a perch right in front of you, like in the video uploaded below.
Beware that the area around the Curz del Condores, especially Chivay and Yanque are extremely touristy.
In the main plaza of Yanque, the school girls dance from 6 to 7am for tourists passing to Cabanaconde. If you take a picture, it is common courtesy to give them a tip.
You will also find several touristy "artesanias" on the major lookouts. There will be women and children in "traditional" dress, sometimes with baby llamas or something else cute and entising. Again, if you are going to take a picture, leave a tip.
If you miss everything else, it's really worth the trip just for the Cruz de Condores.
