I didn't really know much about the Colca Canyon before I arrived in Chivay. It begins at the end of the stunning Colca Valley and according to our guide Luis, is up to 4000 metres deep in places. Although apparently that section was a further 6 hour drive followed by a 15 hour walk from the section of the canyon we were going to. Even so it was 1000 metres deep where we were. Aside from its physical characteristics it is also home to the Andean Condor, which is the reason we were there. This bird a nember of the vulture family and lives on carrion. It has an average wingspan of 3.2 metres, the male weighs 13-15 kg and the female only lays one egg every 2-3 years. The nest at around 3700m and use the thermals generated in the canyon to glide around their territory. Luis promised us we would see condor and whilst it was a bit slow to start the show finally got under way with about 20 birds in the air. At times they were gliding within about 3-4 metres of us which was a little intimidating considering their size. We spent about an hour and half watching this nature show unfold in front of us. Absolutely spectacular. A drive back through the stunning Colca Vally which has been inhabited and farmed for 2000 years for a fantastic buffet lunch of genuine Peruvian food in Chivay. We then set out on our 4 hour drive to Arequipa. Not that I saw much of it. The cold I have been trying to avoid took hold and I spent the best part of the trip lying down resting. We arrived in Arequipa around 4. I went straight to bed and didn't surface until 7 the next morning. But despite that it will still be a day that will be etched in my memory for a long time.