Cañon d'Apurimac, Natural canyon between Apurímac and Cuzco Departments, Peru
Cañón del Apurímac is a deep gorge that stretches between the Apurímac and Cusco Departments with elevation differences from about 500 to 5,000 meters. Its walls drop steeply and the river cuts through the mountains at a depth exceeding 4,600 meters.
The river originates at Mount Mismi at approximately 5,597 meters elevation and flows through several regions. It eventually merges with the Mantaro River to form the Ene River, a major waterway system in the southern Andes.
The name comes from Quechua words: Apu means mountain spirits and Rimac means speaking, referring to the river's roaring sound. Local communities have long regarded this river as a sacred force connected to their mountain heritage.
Visitors can explore the canyon through river expeditions, with the best time for paddling between May and October when water conditions are most favorable. The rapids range from class II to IV difficulty, so some experience is recommended.
The surrounding forests contain three distinct Polylepis tree species, which are rare at high Andean elevations. These trees provide habitat for several bird species found nowhere else in the region.
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