From researching the Colca Canyon hikes it appeared there was a great deal of variety in quality and price and the two didn’t always coincide. There was many options for the two day hikes but limited options for the 3 day. In the end there were two options … which actually ended up being the same trip (Peru Baby Lama), so we booked the cheapest.

Compared to other tours we have booked in Peru this was really cheap! Less than 80£ each for three days including accommodation, travel and food (excluding entry fees and drinks). We were unsure of what to expect but went with an open mind and not afraid to rough it if required.

We were picked up at 2am! Yes 2am, luckily the boys fell back to sleep on the full mini bus as it made its way up and out of Arequipa. It was hard sleeping though. The road was dust and rock, and it twisted and turned as it gained altitude. I think I did doze however because when I next looked out the window the sun was rising and my phone said we were at nearly 5000m above sea level. The landscape was baren, accept for rocks and dust… at the highest point the road side was piled high with rock towers.

Soon after the boys also stirred, the oldest two not feeling great because of the altitude. But not as bad as the man sat opposite me who looked green and like he was gonna pass out. Thankfully the mini van started its way down to Chivey… our breakfast stop.

Breakfast was a pretty uninspiring egg on bread and horrific coffee. Back on the bus the boys instantly dived into the snacks that needed to last 3 days. We pack their own snacks in their own bags for them to carry and ration as needed. I’m pretty BBboy was gonna run out before we even started hiking 😂

The bus made another two short stops, the first a spectacular view over the upper valley. BoyBlue was more interested in trying to stroke a baby alpaca, the baby alpaca however was more interested in trying to escape its owner to eat the grass on the other side of the road.

The second stop, one of the main attractions of the canyon was the Condor lookout. I don’t know if we were really lucky but we saw loads of them. Soring above and below us, even a few resting on the cliffs, allowing a really clear view through the binoculars.

The next stop we all disembarked. I had thought the full bus was doing the 3 days but it turned out only 7 of us. A young American man and Israeli lady. I wondered what these young backpackers thought about hiking with a family.

We set of about 9, down, down, down! From about 3700m to 2850. It was baking hot and very dusty, the knees were shaking but the views were absolutely stunning!

As usual I was at the back of our family group but not the slowest walker by any means. As we got closer to the river at the bottom and the elusive bridge over to lunch , the vegetation got taller and greener providing shade and a flatter walk. Now the only problem was finding the lunch place… our guide had sent us ahead (follow the arrows) while he waited for the last of our group. The arrows and path were pretty clear until we reached a collection of small houses.

Having lost the arrows completely we instead followed the sounds of voices, past a pig stye, gardens with barking dogs up a collapse wall to a small blue door. Sure we could hear English spoken the other side we knocked.

It opened into a small kitchen with an open fire and group of bemused giggling ladies who found our arrival route hilarious but happily showed us to our table. The food was a simple affair of salty chicken broth and veg. Followed by a meat stirfry like dish and a couscous like side. The drinks were expensive but keen to make sure the boys were well hydrated we all enjoyed a sports drink.

As the groups of two day hikers left… We had assumed there would be more walking after lunch for us also but no… we were shown to our rooms and given the afternoon to relax. The rooms were simple but the view from the door was worth the hike and a simple room.

BBBoy however wasn’t so sure… his first comment when seeing the room was “are we staying in a barn”, his second was “is there wifi”. Once the reality set in though he and the other boys had a wonderful afternoon winning over the other two members of our group. They played football on the grass, cards on the tables and sat enjoying the setting sun while sharing their travel stories. A simple afternoon in a mind blowing location. I even got a hot shower before the solar heated water ran out!

The day was rounded off with another enjoyable simple dinner and time lying on the grass looking into the Milky Way. Just perfect and exactly the type of travel we wanted the boys to experience on this trip. Rough but beautiful.