|
|
|
Arequipa
|
Tourist
Attractiveness
|
Tourist
Guide
|
| Tourist
Info |
|
|
|
|
 |
| |
 |
|
The
climate in the Colca valley has two
clearly marked seasons.
The summer is from December
to April, when it rains a little,
generally in the afternoons and at
night.
Average annual rainfall is
400 mm.
Low temperatures are 4 or 5
°C, rising to 18 to 24°C
in the sunny mornings.
At this time, particularly in January
and February, it can be misty both
in the canyon and along the highways
at dawn or dusk.
During the autumn-winter season, from
May to August, it does not rain at
all.
This is a very dry season,
with the phenomenon of the "heladas"
(frosts) when the temperature drops
to -8°C or -10 °C between 4 a.m. and
6 a.m., but by 9 or 10 in the morning
it has risen to a comfortable 15 to
20°C.
Colca can be visited all the
year round.
|
|
|
| 
|
| The
altitude of the Colca Valley makes a period
of biological acclimatization necessary for
all living being, and especially for people
used to living at sea level.
When a traveler goes to higher altitudes,
his/her organism starts to adapt and in some
cases the adaptation is progressive.
The traveler is bothered by headaches,
sleepiness, a queasy stomach, or nausea, all
of which are symptoms of what is known as
"altitude sickness" or "soroche".
These symptoms can be avoided if the
person makes the ascent in steps, that is,
spending one or two days at an intermediate
altitude, which could be Arequipa (2,300),
then Colca (3,400), finally continuing up
to Cuzco, which is the same altitude as Puno
(3,800).
It is recommendable to watch your diet before
and during a stay in places at a higher elevation
than where you normally live, since the digestion
works much more slowly and certain types of
food could cause problems. |
|
|
