Colca Canyon (Cabanaconde to Sangalle)

Descending into the earth's crust. Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world (3,400m). The classic trek starts in the high Andean town of Cabanaconde (3,280m) and involves a rapid, knee-jarring descent to the Colca River. Hikers pass through traditional Quechua villages where pre-Inca terraces are still active, before reaching the Sangalle Oasis—a lush, green sanctuary at the canyon floor. The return journey is an infamous pre-dawn 1,200m vertical climb that tests the lungs and legs of every hiker. Above, the sky is often filled with the massive silhouettes of Andean Condors, utilizing the morning thermals to rise out of the canyon's depths.

The trek to Laguna de los Tres is one of the primary day activities in Los Glaciares National Park, providing a close-perspective view of the granite massif of Mount Fitz Roy (3,405m). The route follows an out-and-back trail through mixed forest and glaciated valleys, passing the Piedras Blancas viewpoint before the final ascent. The journey is defined by a significant transition from the low-lying valley floor to the high-alpine environment of the lagoon, which sits directly below the main peaks.