Cotahuasi Natural Reserve

Located 375 kilometers northwest of Arequipa, in the province of La Unión, and covering an area of more than 490,000 hectares, the Cotahuasi Sub-basin Landscape Reserve contains the second most important canyon in the region and a wide variety of tourist attractions.

This protected area was created in 2005 with the objective of preserving natural, scenic, biological and cultural assets. It is currently of significant tourist importance as it combines natural beauty with archaeological-cultural heritage and sporting activities.

The Cotahuasi Canyon is 3354 meters deep in a 100 kilometers long valley. It has a diversity of fauna that includes animals as diverse as flamingos, pumas, vicuñas, Andean cats and foxes, eaglets and snakes. In addition, as for its flora, you will see more than 100 endemic species.

What to see and do in the Cotahuasi Natural Reserve?

Stroll through its natural viewpoints. Dazzle yourself with the landscapes of the Coropuna and Solimana snow-capped mountains.

Enjoy the Sipia Waterfall. A beautiful free fall of water of 150 meters that offers a beautiful view to its visitors.

To get to know its hot springs. There are about 200 hot springs distributed among its towns. The best known are those of Luicho.

Lose yourself in its forests. You will see giant cactus, queñuales and stands of puyas.

Appreciate the cultivation terraces and buildings from the Inca and pre-Inca periods. You will see areas of important archaeological value and cave paintings.

Paragliding. You will also be able to live this exciting experience where you will fly

Bird watching, rafting, kayaking, fishing and climbing. You will be able to see many of the 158 species of birds that inhabit the area, raft in its rapids, fish in its lagoons and climb the Coropuna or Solimana.

Visit the towns of Cotahuasi and Alca. In these small and attractive villages you will discover the community life of their inhabitants and the importance of their crops and livestock for both their social and economic life.

How to get to Cotahuasi Natural Reserve?

To get to Cotahuasi Natural Reserve by car from Arequipa, take the Inter-Oceanic Highway until you reach the Pan-American Highway South. Then turn onto highway 105 that passes through Cuchibamba and ends in Cotahuasi. The trip takes approximately 9.5 hours.

To go by bus you must hire one of the companies that go to this destination from the bus terminal in Arequipa. The bus trip takes about 11 hours.

Another good option is to hire a tourist tour, which usually includes transportation to and from Cotahuasi, as well as hotel accommodation and an authorized guide.

Recommendations

Hours and income. You can enter the Reserve from Monday to Sunday from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is free of charge.

Best time to visit. The sunny days, mild temperatures and low probability of rainfall make May to November the best months to visit this site.

What to bring? Although it is common to have good weather throughout the Arequipa region, don’t forget to bring warm clothes in case you need them. It is recommended that you protect yourself from the sun on your hikes with sunscreen and a hat or cap. A good pair of shoes will be necessary for your comfort during the walk.

How long does the tour last? Due to the long distance between this destination and the city of Arequipa, it is advisable to spend two or three days for this excursion. This way you can have more time to rest and better appreciate all the attractions it has to offer.

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