We have a wonderful family that travels frequently with us.  This year was their 15^th trip with Yampu Tours! For this trip they traveled to Peru and the beautiful Colca Canyon. During their trip they stayed at the deluxe Las Casitas del Colca, and they came back in love with the property!  They posted a wonderful review after their experience on Trip Advisor that we thought it would be fun to share on our blog, mixed in with our tips & past experiences at Las Casitas del Colca!  The parts below in plain text were written by Yampu Client, Shelia A. The red italics are our little additions.  

Once a year we travel with our veterinarian daughter to view exotic animals in the wild. We always make a point to stay at five-star lodging along our route at least once. Las Casitas del Colca was our choice this year and we were not disappointed. Our stay there was November 5 and 6. Our goal in that part of Peru was to see the Vicuna, the Andean Condor and the Viscacha on our way to the Colca Valley and Canyon. And we were not disappointed in that either.

We left Arequipa early in the day, saw the Vicuna and the Viscacha on the way, we were fortunate to have a guide who knew just where to look. The Viscacha is a high-altitude bunny and we saw dozens of them in both directions.

Coming down from the higher altitudes into the Colca Valley was absolutely beautiful. However, we were having problems breathing even though we took the medication.

The altitude in the Colca Canyon area is extremely high, approximately 4,800 meters (15,800 feet).  While not all experience altitude sickness, it is common and can leave travelers fatigued, short of breath and may cause a damper in another wise wonderful experience! While we recommend discussing altitude sickness with your personal doctor prior to traveling, we do have a few tips to help elevate the symptoms:

1. Take it slow during your first day in a higher altitude; this will help you to acclimate easier.  Also, if you are not in a rush, you are less likely to become winded.

2. Enjoy some light activity.

3. Drink! (But not alcohol while your body adjusts).

4. Avoid tobacco products while you acclimate. 

5. Eat! One of the symptoms of an altitude sickness is the apparent loss of appetite.  If you continue to snack, you will avoid a drop in your blood sugars that may make you feel very dizzy!  

Las Casitas del Colca was tucked down out of sight from the main road, a very private little Eden. There was a security guard and gate that we passed through. He informed the hotel we were entering the grounds. We had a nice welcoming and were escorted to our lovely casita. Unbeknownst to us our travel agent, Jose at Yampu Tours, had upgraded us to the deluxe casita. What a view! Because of our breathing difficulty, one of the security guards came to our casita and administered oxygen to us for a short time. It really helped. And we were able to start enjoying our surroundings.

When possible, we love to provide upgrades to our repeat clients.  This is part of the personalized magic that comes from traveling with Yampu Tours!

The casita was incredible. We were greeted by a fruit basket at the front door. We were offered chicha morada, a purple corn drink, which we had had before. The room was elegantly decorated. I wanted to take the bathroom home with me. Two showers, one outside in a private little courtyard and a garden tub. I cannot remember if the tub was a spa tub because we didn’t use it. Heated floors so you could walk barefoot on the tile. A hot tub right outside the room facing the Valley so one could relax and enjoy the view. We relaxed for the rest of the afternoon.

We were offered a list of activities from which we could choose–as many as we had time for. I opted to do the cooking class that afternoon. I was the only attendee so I had a private lesson. I was shown how to make risotto style quinoa in yellow chili sauce with sautéed beef tenderloin. It was lots of fun and delicious! I could not eat all of the food that was cooked and asked that I be given the rest of the quinoa at dinner (it was that good). One of the questions I asked was about the trout on the room service menu because it was not on the restaurant menu. I was told that if I wanted trout, I could have it, but on the next night at dinner.

Las Casitas del Colca has so many wonderful activities that they offer, and there are several that are great for families as well! Monica and Jose (owners of Yampu Tours) visited Las Casitas del Colca and also loved the cooking class.  It is a wonderful experience that allows you to bring home a recipe to recreate back at home, when you are longing to return to Peru & the Colca Canyon! 

On the property there is also a small farm with horses, baby alpacas, llamas, sheep, chickens & rabbits.  As an optional activity you can visit the farm to feed the animals.  This is a great activity, especially for kids!

You can also explore the property by horseback! 

Dinner that night was very elegant and gourmet. Unfortunately we could not do it justice as the altitude affected our appetites. I had a wonderful pumpkin soup and sea bass and the rest of my quinoa. I passed on dessert because I was full. Everyone’s meal looked delicious and all were pleased.

The next morning we were served a wonderful breakfast of sweet breads and rolls, fruit and cold cuts and cheeses. We could have had a hot breakfast if we chose but the cold breakfast was sufficient. Our guide arrived to drive us to the Colca Canyon and the Cross of the Condors where we saw many condors riding the thermals. We spent the morning traveling there and back and having a typical Peruvian Andean buffet in Chivay which we enjoyed. We also visited the market while in Chivay. Very interesting.

The market in Chivay is large, covering over a block of indoor and outdoor vendors! Here you will see all sorts of items for sale including alpaca meat and fur, as well local textiles. This is a wonderful opportunity to wander around and purchase handicrafts and chat with those who are here either selling or buying. 

We returned to Las Casitas and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon. I opted to get a head massage at the Spa Samay which was an included activity. The therapist did not speak English but she gave a great head massage which helped open up my sinus cavities (the dry air and altitude caused some problems). I wandered around the vegetable garden (I am a gardener so this was of interest to me). Slash, the Casitas cat, followed me around. Since my daughter and her friend are cat enthusiasts, I went to their casita with Slash behind me. They opened their door and he just walked in like he owned the place and stayed with them until dinner time. He was very unhappy when they booted him out and next morning they found him outside their door waiting to be let in. We were told later that he did make himself at home whenever anyone would let him!

At dinner that night, I had my trout (freshly caught from the trout pond) as did my husband and daughter. My daughter’s friend does not eat fish so she had a steak. The meal was wonderful. But I was full after the main course. I lamented that I would love to have dessert later but I did not want to climb back up the hill to the restaurant. Our waiter delivered my dessert to the room!

The trout pond is right on the property, and you have the option to fish for your own trout!

The service was outstanding throughout our stay. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Our daughter and her friend opted to feed the alpacas and llamas the next morning after breakfast. And Slash was there to greet us! We wish we could have stayed longer; it is that peaceful a place.

We love hearing feedback on our tours! Thank you Shelia for sharing!

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