The Grand Canyon of Peru: Colca Canyon

The rest of our Thanksgiving holiday we spent 2 hours away from Arequipa in the Colca Canyon area.  It was a very scenic route, we traveled as high as 4910 meters.  It is quite amazing as we travel to a high altitude yet the area is flat until you get to the canyon areas. 

Graham and his dad tossing the football at 4910 meters high.

Locals in the area selling their items at tourist stops.

A little boy just playing on the side of the mountain.  SCARY.

Here is view of Colca Lodge from the mountain.  It is a beautiful and relaxing place to stay.

Hot Springs at the lodge

Llama and Alpacas on the ranch at the lodge

Football anyone?

Headed to the hot springs

Relaxing in the hot springs

 The lodge had some makeshift swings on the ranch.  The kids absolutely loved them.  Who knew swings could be so entertaining!

and of course Graham tossing the football.

 The views at the actual canyon were magnificent.  The kids were determined to spot condors.  It is the nesting season for the condors so the chances were low but we got lucky and were able to see several condors gliding through the canyon.

 We finally ended our holiday with the kids first horseback riding experience.  It was quite the adventure but a great way to finish a lovely Thanksgiving break.

Thanksgiving in Arequipa

 Thanksgiving 2013

For the past 4 years we have traveled during the Thanksgiving holidays.  We have celebrated Thanksgiving in Bali, the Cameron Highlands, Langkawi, and this we year we headed to Arequipa and Colca Canyon in south Peru.  While we are enjoying experiencing new places we do look forward to one day sitting around the Thanksgiving table with family and friends in Texas.

Day 1:  Tours in Arequipa.  We visited a mansion, a saw mill, and a monastery.

The kids loved seeing llamas and alpacas throughout our tours.

Layne was super excited to see this saw mill.  She recognized it immediately because she watches American Pickers with me.

A local little boy loved playing with the kids.

 We had lunch at a traditional Peruvian lunch.  My favorite part of Peruvian food is that they serve avacado (La Palta) as appetizers.  It is so delicious.

Volcano in background

 The buildings in Arequipa are magnificent.  Doors and walls are so colorful.  It would be a photographer's dream to use this city as a background.

The kids favorite part of our city tour was the Santa Catalina Monastery.  We took a 1 hour guided tour and the history behind the monastery kept the kids very interested and asking questions.

  In Peru, guinea pigs are a source of food.  The kids had a hard time getting past that thought.  They think of them as pets and not food.  These in the picture are pets though.

 This is the view from our hotel on the square in Arequipa.