Sept 12th, 2004. Started from the hostel at 6.30AM. We took a public bus towards town on Cabanaconde. This bus made lot of stops on the way, to pick up and drop off local people. The road was okay for the most part. The scenary on the way was beautiful with Inca Terraces and irrigation channels.

We arrived at Cabanaconde at 1.00PM and had lunch. We started the hike at 2.00PM. This is how the village looked from the top.

The walk reminded me of hike down the Gran Canyon. We camped overnight at village called San Juan de Chuch. The hostel was right behind a small primary school used by kids in the valley. On the hike down we passed many kids going up and they were hardly sweating!! The hostel itself was very basic, one could purchase beer, water for 8 soles. The night was not too cold. There is no electricity in valley, we slept at 9.00PM. There was a couple from Holland and women from Germany in my group.

Sept 13th, 2004. Got up 6.30AM. Left the campsite/hostel at 8.45AM. As we walked the guide showed many plants that local people use for cold, flu, stomach problems etc. The walk itself was okay had a moderate climb of 400m (1200ft) for about 40 minutes. We arrived at place called Sangalle at 12.30. Its also called as Oasis.

Sept 14th, 2004. Got up at 2.00AM and we left Sangalle at 2.30AM. The climb up was very tough, you basically hike 1100 meters on final day all of it up. We made it to the top at 6.00AM. If you hike this canyon at night make sure you take couple of extra batteries for your headlamp. On the way back we stopped to see the Condors. They were bit too far to get good photos but could see about 5 of them, through my video camera zoom. Around 12.30 we stopped in Chivay at a thermal pool, water was about 35C had a nice swim for 20 minutes.
Got back to Ariquoa at 5.00PM. I had a quick pizza & beer. Got up next day at 8.00AM.