Valley of the Volcanoes

Few travellers go beyond Colca Canyon, which is exactly why the Valley of the Volcanoes feels like a discovery. Across the Andagua region lies a field of around eighty small volcanic cones and lava flows, a landscape of black rock, red cinder cones and green farmland that looks like another planet. The tour combining Colca with the valley takes about three days, with long drives and short walks, and is aimed at travellers who have already seen the standard Colca circuit and want more. The scenery is wide, the villages tiny and the silence profound.

The itinerary begins in the same way as a regular Colca tour, with the high pass, Chivay and a visit to the Cruz del Condor. After that, the route turns away from the crowds, following a road over remote highlands toward Andagua, a small town set among lava fields. Along the way, you pass pastures with alpacas and cinder cones, with stops at viewpoints for photography.

The volcanic landscape is the result of relatively recent geological activity, and guides explain how lava flows shaped the valley and how people adapted their farming to the volcanic soils.In Andagua you can visit local viewpoints, small museums or churches, and perhaps hike a short trail to a crater rim or a lava formation.

The Valley also has cultural sites, including petroglyphs and ancient terraces, and the villages are known for traditions that survive far from the tourist routes. Evenings are quiet, with simple dinners and clear skies full of stars. Because the area is remote, comforts are limited, but the welcome tends to be warm and the sense of space is wonderful.Plan carefully. The road is long and rough in parts, weather can cause delays, and facilities are basic, so choose an operator with experience in the region and carry cash, warm clothing and snacks.

The dry months from about April to November are the safest. If you are limited in time, a standard Colca tour might be more practical, but if you have a spare day or two and love unusual landscapes, this extension is well worth considering. The tour linked here combines Colca and the volcano valley over three days, and it can be adapted to finish in Arequipa or continue elsewhere.

Think of this as the sequel to a standard Colca trip. It rewards patience, because much of the time is spent in a vehicle crossing open country, but the payoff is a sense of space that busy tourist routes rarely offer.

Pack a good book, a warm sleeping layer for cold nights, and a camera with a spare battery, since charging points can be limited. Ask your operator about the size of the group, the standard of the accommodation in Andagua and the plan if roads are blocked, and travel with a flexible attitude. A power bank, a headlamp and a few extra snacks are inexpensive items that make remote evenings far more comfortable, and a flexible mindset is the best piece of equipment you can bring.

Bring a hat and sun protection for the open lava fields, where there is almost no shade, and sturdy boots for walking over rough black rock that can be sharp underfoot.