Biking & MTB
Biking Canocota - Chivay
Canocota, a unique town, made up of a single main street, a main square, its church, the rural air and above all its scenic beauty that surrounds it. Located on the left bank of the Colca River, it presents a rural lifestyle, with houses generally built with bricks and stone, fields of crops in the surroundings and, an imposing church that can already be glimpsed from afar.
Without a doubt, here is one of the easiest and most beautiful routes, whether for hiking or cycling along the old road or Qhapaq Ñan, used from pre-Inca times to the present day to move from Canocota to Chivay.
During the tour, we will be able to appreciate the Huaynalima Canyon and the place known as Inca Saltana, where the entire flow of the Colca River passes through a narrow passage approximately one meter long.
MTB Geiser of Pinchollo to Maca town
A must-see in the Colca Valley is, without a doubt, the geyser located near the snow-capped Hualca Hualca volcano. This geyser is known for its emissions of hot water vapor, which emerge from fissures in the earth. These vapors can reach considerable heights, creating an impressive visual spectacle. The temperatures of the gases and steam that emanate can be very high, indicating the underlying geothermal activity. This is due to the heating of the groundwater by volcanic activity in the region.
In addition to the Pinchollo geyser, this route offers magnificent views of the Colca Valley. Near the Maca geological fault, there is the 350-meter-long Peña Blanca tunnel, which can be traversed by bicycle.
Let’s visit this place and go down by MTB to the Colca Valley!
MTB from the origins of the Amazon River
Knowing the origin or sources of the Amazon River, the longest river on the planet, has always been of great interest; this explains why, in recent years, great efforts have been made to study it. Brave expeditionaries of different nationalities have set out to locate the source of the Amazon. Thanks to these efforts we now know that the rocky spring of Carhuasanta, located under the andesitic structural surface of the Mismi volcanic center, in the Western Cordillera of Chila, is where the jets of water that give life to the largest and longest river on the planet are formed drop by drop.
This route will take us to the towns of Ran Ran, Tuti, Canocota, and finally the route ends in Chivay.
Let’s get to know this place and go down to the Colca Valley by bike!
MTB from Enchanted Castles of Callalli to Chivay
To 152 km from the city of Arequipa and 36 km from Chivay, is the district of Callalli, a town that is part of the upper area of the Colca Valley, known as the land of the Enchanted Castles, since here you can find enormous cliffs of volcanic rock in the form of giant columns or walls eroded by the wind and rain. In addition, about 9 kilometers away are the Mollepunku Caves, where you can find pictorial manifestations that include bas-reliefs and engravings with representations of geometric, zoomorphic and anthropomorphic figures.
A little-known route that will take us to the ancient route where llama caravans traveled for hundreds of years from the highlands to the Colca Valley.
Don’t miss the opportunity to visit this part of the Colca Valley!
MTB from Mucurca lagoon to Colca Canyon
The Mucurca lagoon is located at an altitude of 4,350 m.a.s.l. not far from the Colca Canyon and the town of Cabanaconde, in the Arequipa region.
Among the most outstanding aspects of the lagoon are its landscapes, formed by the Hualca Hualca, Ampato and Sabancaya volcanoes. The lagoon surprises with the number of birds such as pariguanas, huallatas, ducks, seagulls, ajoyas, among others. In addition, along the entire shore of the lagoon you can see ranches dedicated to the grazing and care of cattle and South American camelids.
This charming lagoon is the perfect place for those looking to isolate themselves or acclimatize for mountain climbs. Don’t miss the opportunity to get close to the volcanoes and take on the challenge of descending into the depths of the Colca Canyon.
MTB from Volcanoes viewpoint to Colca Valley
Patapampa or Mirador de los Volcanes, is located at approximately 4,910 m.a.s.l., making it one of the highest points on the route to the Colca Canyon. From here, you have impressive views of the Andean landscape and the surrounding volcanoes such as Misti, Chachani, Ampato, Sabancaya and Hualca Hualca. Due to its altitude, the Mirador de Patapampa has a cold and dry climate. In addition, the height can cause altitude sickness, so it is advisable to acclimatize properly.
For those of us who are lovers of downhill mountain biking, this place is the right one to feel a little adrenaline. Don’t miss this multi-hour tour and a completely downhill path to the city of Chivay.