Also called the “Hidden Pearl of Colca”, Huambo is one of the districts in the province of Caylloma with such material and immaterial cultural wealth that it was declared a cultural heritage of the nation in 2012, thanks to its two most important customs: Feast of San Lorenzo Mártir and Holy Week.
Located at about 3022 m.a.s.l. brings together old customs that are still alive in most of its inhabitants.
Dressed by the Chila mountain range, it brings together various ecosystems (between pampas, springs, countryside, canals and waterfalls).
The Huambo population remembers very well the ancient Andean traditions. They have great respect for agriculture and the reciprocal exchange of resources, in addition to being divided into two zones or neighborhoods that represent the world above and the world below: The Anansaya and the Urinsaya.
The concept comes from an ancient Andean dual tradition expressed in the spatial and mythical division “hanan” and “hurin”.
As the Colca Valley runs towards the Pacific Ocean it narrows and becomes a narrow canyon.
The Colca Canyon reaches a maximum depth of approximately 3,400 meters. Huambo is not visited in any of the usual tours.
Its access is downriver, via the town of Huambo, and requires all the preparation beforehand, since it is a complicated route that must be done together with a specialized guide who knows the area. It is necessary to have your own mobility in good condition and with spare parts since the road after Cabanaconde is not very frequented.
Canco
Canco is a small valley that is located between the crossings of the Colca and Huambo rivers. It has an altitude (1820 m a.s.l.) so its climate is pleasant and there is a variety of subtropical fruits and crops that grow there.
The green areas of Canco are mostly pastures, as well as plantations of bananas, corn and tiny orange trees.
However, Canco becomes important because it is the gateway for the practice of the “best rafting” on the Colca River, and therefore to know the deepest part of the Colca Canyon, which is comparatively twice as deep as the great Colorado’s canyon. We will then enjoy more than 100 miles of continuous whitewater class IV rapids. we will also find class V rapids.
Passing the Limit of Huambo – Caylloma:
A few sections ahead of the junction of the Colca River with the Ayo – Castilla River, is the deepest part of the Colca Canyon.
On the way we pass through the bowels of the planet, indicated by two signs: YAJIRHUA hill, right bank of the canyon and LUCERIA hill, left bank of the canyon, which indicate the deepest part of the Colca canyon.
It is important to say that the “Yajirhua” hill, reaches 5,226 meters (provincia de Castilla) and the mountain “Lucería”, at 4,257 meters, (Huancarqui) reaching the Colca River in that point, in that place, in those instances the 1,051 meters above sea level, and if we make the difference 5,226 – 1051 = 4,175 meters of depth of the Colca Canyon.
All this before reaching the junction with the Andamayo River – Prov. de Castilla.