Photos of Chivay, Peru in Colca Canyon country

The town of Chivay, Peru can be considered as the gateway to the Colca Canyon region of Peru. It's a major stop for tourists making the four hour trip from Arequipa, Peru to the Colca Canyon. It's also the major market town for handcrafts in this part of Peru, so tourists can shop here for locally made goods that make excellent souvenirs of trips to Peru and the Colca Canyon. Chivay also has natural hotsprings which are piped to hotpools that are very popular with tourists and locals alike. They make a welcome stop after a physically demanding trek down into the canyon that begins from Cabanaconde, Peru another 45 minutes by car or bus from Chivay. Larger version of these photos of Chivay, Peru can be viewed by using a mouse rollover, clicking an image, or using the Slideshow below. Add this page to your favorites. If you're looking for landscapes from a particular place, you might check here:

Point to any image for an enlargement

Use the arrow keys to center enlargements

Condor Statue #0546
Chivay is a large market town on the edge of Colca Canyon country. In this part of the world, the Andean Condor is revered. The plague commemorates the 169th anniversary of the creation of the Ronda de Chivay province of Peru in 1994.

a photo of Chivay, Peru from the mountains

Looking Down on Chivay #0820
The road from Arequipa to Chivay is quite spectacular. There are the cliffs along the road, there is the disrepair, there is a 4800 meter pass, and there are spectacular views looking down into the villages passed along the way.

source of obnoxious noise in Chivay, Peru

Blaring Sound #0815
For a couple of weeks during the festivals of late January, Chivay using a very obnoxious sound system in the Plaza de Armas. It wasn't until I returned in February that I realized the sound system was temporary. But while in use, this blaring sound system is turned so loud there's noticeable distortion. The sound comes from this municipal building. It's there at 6AM and it's there at 10PM - and constantly all day inbetween. Blaring music is a common problem throughout South America, but this is the first time I found it to be institutionalized.

Road to Chivay #0825
Much of the road to Chivay from Arequipa is above the tree line. Consequently, some of the scenery is stark - but starkly beautiful.

a homestead in the highlands near Chivay

Homestead #0841
There is an occasional homestead with nothing else within miles.

Snowy Pass #0828
The road to Chivay includes a 4800 meter pass, which can become snow-covered even in summer.

Llamas and Alpacas #0846
Throughout the highlands between Arequipa and Chivay it is common to see large flocks of both Llamas and Alpacas. Llamas have larger faces with noses almost like those of horses. Alpacas, prized for their wool (and their meat), are furrier with more delicate faces.

photo of a religious parade in Chivay, Peru

Chivay Parade #0789
In early February the villages throughout Colca Country have fiestas in which they celebrate La Virgen de la Candalaria.

Chivay Parade #0799
The parade circumnavigated the entire Plaza de Armas of Chivay, finishing at the church.

Chivay People #0796
The native indian heritage of many people here shows clearly. In the villages of Colca, the older people still speak Quechua.

Bullfighting Arena 0816
Bullfighting is still a popular sport in Peru. It's a sport that's played for keeps. The bull usually loses.

Photos of Chiracahua National Monument

Choro Trek in Bolivia

Free DHTML scripts provided by
Dynamic Drive

Top

Flowers

Landscapes

People

Temples

Abstracts

Flight

Wildlife

Special Interests

About my gallery

FAQ

Site Map

All photographs are the property of Robert Stephens and TheWorldinLight Photographic Gallery. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited by US copyright law.