Perou Decouverte
Perou Decouverte
Chonta Canyon, located just a few hours' drive from Cusco, has become a prime location for watching the **Andean condor**. Less known than the famous Colca Canyon, it offers the unique opportunity to see these majestic birds fly nearby, in their natural habitat and without the crowds.
This one-day excursion combines an easy hike with a breathtaking natural spectacle, making Chonta Canyon accessible to all travelers. It's the perfect activity for nature lovers and bird enthusiasts.
An unforgettable experience to observe the king of the Andes just a few steps from the ancient Inca capital.
Chonta Canyon is one of the best spots in Peru to observe Andean condors without having to do a long trek. Located about 100 km from Cusco, it's ideal for a day trip that combines nature, history, and Andean fauna. The excursion allows you to see these majestic birds in flight, an unforgettable experience for photography and nature lovers.
The site is located at an altitude of approximately **3,400 meters**. You should plan for a walk of about **1 hour** from the Chonta community to reach the viewpoints. The journey from Cusco takes between **2 h 30 and 3 h**, depending on road conditions.
The trip from Cusco takes about 3 hours by transport. The itinerary follows the main road of the Sacred Valley towards Abancay. Along the way, you can make a few stops to visit Inca or colonial sites:
On the way to Chonta Canyon, you can stop at the archaeological site of **Killarumiyoc**. This "temple of the moon" is a sacred place where the Incas honored the lunar goddess, Mama Killa.
The site is famous for its immense rock finely carved in the shape of a half-moon, considered an altar or an astronomical observatory. It also features agricultural terraces and irrigation channels. The entrance fee is **10 soles**.
Located in the district of Limatambo, the site of **Tarawasi** is an important Inca ceremonial center. Its name means "Tara's house" in Quechua. It is distinguished by its granite stone walls, perfectly fitted in a unique polygonal style.
This site is an excellent opportunity to admire Inca architecture without the crowds of more well-known sites. The entrance fee is **10 soles** and the site is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The village of **Limatambo** is an excellent place to take a break before heading up to Chonta Canyon. You'll find several simple restaurants and small markets to buy food. It's the perfect spot for lunch before embarking on the afternoon hike.
After the village of Limatambo, the road branches off to the left for a climb of about 45 minutes to 1 hour towards the Chonta community. This is the starting point of the hike to the viewpoints.
The canyon is managed by the local community of **Chonta**, which ensures the preservation of the site and the reception of visitors. They are the ones who manage access to the canyon and collect the entrance fees. It's a great example of community tourism, which allows the local inhabitants to directly benefit from tourism while protecting their environment.
From the Chonta community, an easy hike of about 1 hour takes you to the edge of the canyon. The site is equipped with three viewpoints for observation. It's generally at the last viewpoint that the condors gather, taking advantage of warm air currents to soar. Condors are most active in the late afternoon (between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.).
In Andean culture, the condor is a sacred and powerful bird, representing the upper world (Hanan Pacha). A symbol of strength and freedom, it served as a link between the gods and men.
Access to the canyon is not free. The Chonta community charges an entrance fee of about 15 soles per person.
To get there from Cusco, it's easier to use a private transport service or go through a local travel agency. Agencies generally offer a private service tour for more flexibility.
It's advisable to leave Cusco in the morning to have time for the planned stops and to have lunch at the village of Limatambo before the climb.
