The tourist influx to
, located in Peru's southern Arequipa region, shows a gradual increase in visitors following the resumption of activities on October 15 —with local tourists being the most interested in getting to know this area of great natural beauty.
Colca received 3,865 tourists during the first two weeks of the resumption of activities, the
Autonomous Authority of Colca (Autocolca) reported. The entity manages this tourist zone, which is located four hours away from the city of Arequipa.
Autocolca Manager Winder Anconeira affirmed that —during these two weeks— the greatest flow of tourists in Colca were visitors from Arequipa, who —for the most part— had not previously arrived in the valley and who decided to take advantage of the promotion that exonerates them from paying for tourist tickets.
"At this stage of tourism reactivation in
Colca Valley, we expected that our main visitors would be local tourists. We are confident that in the coming days more Peruvians will become interested in visiting the area, as will foreign tourists," the Autocolca official expressed.
At the same time, he recalled that —before the resumption of activities— hotels, lodgings, restaurants, tourism agencies, and craft centers, among other local guilds, implemented their sanitary protocols to welcome visitors safely.
Anconeira said that other tourist attractions in
Colca Valley are becoming operational, as La Calera Tourist Complex did a few days ago. The latter is known for its hot springs to which healing properties are attributed. Besides, this area is highly visited by tourists.
About Colca Canyon
Colca Canyon reaches up to 4,160 meters depth in the Canco area of Huambo district. The highest point of the basin is found on Ampato Mountain, at 6,300 meters, and the lowest —where Colca and Andamayo Rivers converge— at 970 meters above sea level.
The natural and scenic beauty found along Colca Canyon allures its visitors. Its inhabitants keep their culture alive through handicrafts, ancestral customs, clothing, as well as their love for Mother Earth or "Pachamama" and their tutelary Apus (guardian deities in the form of mountains).
(END) RMC/MAO/MVB