The deepest canyon in the world: name, description, interesting facts. The largest canyon in the world is a fantastic spectacle created by nature

The deepest canyon on Earth March 17th, 2013

Let's add one more object.

Colca Canyon is located in southern Peru, 160 km from Arequipa. Its length is over 100 km. This is the deepest canyon in the world, its depth from the bottom to the mountain peaks reaches 3400 m, it is twice as large as the Grand Canyon in the USA and unlike it, it is suitable for life and agriculture. Colca Canyon is located high in the Andes, at altitudes of 3260 meters above sea level.

The Colca Canyon was formed in the valley of the river of the same name. Throughout its entire length, traces of the activity of the ancient Peruvian peoples are visible, who built numerous agricultural stepped terraces.

Colca Canyon (Spanish: Cañon del Colca) is one of the most visited tourist destinations in all of Peru. One of the deepest canyons in the entire world, with an elevation difference of 3,400 meters, Colca has been inhabited by people for over 1,500 years, the first of whom were ethnic tribes from the pre-Inca era. On the lands of the canyon they managed to create a complex system of agricultural terraces, which occupied an area of ​​more than 10,000 hectares. After the capture of Peru by the Spaniards, the Collaguas and Cabanas tribes began to expand their cities along the canyon and build churches here. Today, the Andes still maintain large tracts of terraces that are farmed by local people, and surviving Inca dwellings are even used to store crops.

But tourists visit the Colca Canyon not only for the stunning nature, unique landscapes and colorful settlements. On one of the most high points In the canyon there is an observation deck “Cruz del Condor”, from where you can observe condors, the largest bird in the world, which is often called the owner of the Andes, at the closest possible distance.

The Colca Valley, which covers the canyon itself and its surrounding areas, is located in the northeast of the department of Arequipa, 151 km from the city of the same name. The highest point of the valley is the currently inactive Ampato volcano with a height of 6288 meters, and the lowest point is at the confluence of the Colca and Andamayo rivers (970 m). The valley extends over 100 km in length and occupies part of the Kolka River basin. In this zone there are 16 settlements in which the life and clothing of the 18th-90th centuries are still preserved. The largest of these settlements is the city of Chivay, where tourists often stop overnight during multi-day excursions through the Colca Valley and the canyon of the same name.

The very name Colca in the language of the Quechua Indians means “grain barn”, since this area, unlike the same Grand Canyon, it is quite suitable for life and living Agriculture. The river of the same name flows along the bottom of the canyon; it was the river that caused the appearance of such a grandiose spectacle and every year continues to increase the depth of the gorge.

Tourists are attracted here primarily by the stunning beauty of these places - from the observation deck of the Condor's Cross ( Cruz del Condor), located on one of the highest points, you can watch the majestic flight of condors, being almost at the same altitude with them. Also from the viewing platforms of the canyon opens amazing view on active volcanoes Ampato, Hualca Hualca and Sabancaya.

Colca Canyon is also famous for its hotels built next to the hot springs, so after a tiring walk through the mountains, travelers can expect impeccable service and the opportunity to relax in a mineral water pool.

The canyon has other names - Lost Valley of the Incas, Valley of Fire, Valley of Miracles or simply Territory of the Eagles.

In the valley, in a place called Antauilki, more than 5,000 hectares of agricultural land have been preserved, cultivated since ancient times. The presence or absence of water plays a role here vital role: Farmers sow fields depending on the amount of snow that has fallen at the top of the mountain. If there is a lot of it, all the terraces are sown, if there is little, only those closest to the river.
The walls of these terraces were built at an angle so that water flowing from the mountains would be retained and irrigate the fields rather than wash them away. The volcanic rock at their base absorbs during the day solar heat, and at night gives it to the soil. It turns out a kind of natural heating...

Below, in the center, is an ancient swamp, which is mentioned in Inca legends. From time to time, pets and children disappeared in it. It was believed that here Mother Earth takes sacrifices for herself...

24 very interesting stones were found nearby in the valley. Each of them represents a map of the location of the terraces.

Recently, ancient Incan burials were found in the mountains above the valley where summer residents swarm. They are already more than 800 years old. These are caves carved out of stone, painted in different colors. More than 30 mummies were discovered there. Local residents are not going to rebury them, observing the traditions of their ancestors. However, the mountain in which the caves are hollowed out consists of rather soft rock. And during earthquakes, parts of it often collapse onto the road along with ancient graves.

Nothing demonstrates the power and capabilities of water like a river canyon. Carving canyons through solid rock over millions of years, rivers slowly create these incredibly beautiful natural wonders. Long and deep canyons on this list are striking in their beauty. Some, like Arizona's Grand Canyon, are famous. Others, such as Yarlung in Tibet, are less famous. However, each of them has its own unique features. Let's dive into our first canyon...

Canyon of the Tara River in Montenegro

We begin our review with the winding Tara Canyon in Montenegro, which is the deepest river gorge in all of Europe. In his very deep point The canyon reaches 1,300 meters, thanks to the Tara River, which created it. Located in Durmitor National Park, the canyon is protected and is under review by the organization World Heritage UNESCO. Even from the highest peaks you will hear the thunderous sound of more than 40 cascades plunging into this amazing 82 kilometer long canyon.

Blyde Canyon in South Africa

Blyde River Canyon South Africa It may not be the largest on Earth, but it is rightfully considered one of the greenest. With an average depth of 762 meters, this 26 km long gorge is covered with rich subtropical vegetation. The deepest part of the canyon at Mount Maripskop reaches 1,372 meters. The most incredible views in South Africa can be seen from the rim of the Blyde River Canyon - from one point it's even possible to see Mozambique. Besides the stunning views, you'll be glad to know that this canyon is also rich in fauna, including all five species of South African primates.

Barranca del Cobre

Copper Canyon in Mexico, or Barranca del Cobre, is located near Chihuahua. It includes as many as six canyons and is named after the copper-red hue of its walls. The six rivers responsible for creating these amazing valleys flow into the Sea of ​​Cortez as part of the Rio Fuerte. The deepest canyon in the system, Barranca de Ourique, reaches 1,879 meters in depth. Copper Canyon is rich wildlife, but unfortunately many species are now endangered due to deforestation. Hopefully something will be done to help these animals before the canyon loses one of its most important features.

Cotahuasi Canyon

There will be several canyons from Peru on this list, including Cotahuasi, which drops dramatically to 3,535 meters at its deepest point. The canyon is carved by the Cotahuasi River between two mountain ranges, Coropuna and Solimana. These places are very remote from civilization and if you want to visit them, you will have to spend 12 hours on the road. However, while this may be inconvenient for tourists, in terms of flora and fauna conservation it is very good.

Colca Canyon in Peru

The second Peruvian canyon on our list is Colca. With an awe-inspiring height of 4,160 meters, this wonder is located in southern Peru. Kolka is one of the deepest canyons in the world, if not the deepest. It is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon of Arizona and is also one of the most visited tourist attractions in Peru. Colca Canyon, in addition to many beautiful views, is also home to the Andean Condor, and many others known species birds and mammals. In addition, the valley has excavation sites dating back approximately 6,000 years, hot spring, where you can swim, and the Infernillo Geyser. Add to all this the lush green stepped terraces of the Incas, and it becomes clear why this area welcomes 120,000 tourists every year.

Fish River Canyon

The Fish River Canyon in Namibia is the largest in Africa. This giant river channel meanders 160 km across the plateau. The canyon is rocky and is a popular place to visit due to its stunning scenery. The gorge itself is only 550 meters deep, but in some places it extends 27 km wide. Although the Fish River at the base of the Canyon spends most of the year divided into shallow pools, flash floods occur late in the summer season. Every year a marathon is held in the canyon, testing runners in extreme conditions. This is definitely not a place for the faint-hearted.

Grand Canyon in Arizona

It is not the largest canyon in the world as many people think, but the Grand Canyon in Arizona is without a doubt the most famous. 1,828 meters deep and 445 km long, this majestic site is one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. Geologists are still debating how the Grand Canyon was formed. The current theory is that 17 million years ago, the Colorado River gradually began to shorten its path through the rocks, continuing to widen and deepen the channel, creating modern form. This canyon sculpting accelerated during ice ages. At this time, the amount of water increased, which helped destroy the canyon even faster. Today, approximately five million people visit the Grand Canyon each year, coming from every continent.

Kali Gandaki Gorge in Nepal

The Kali Gandaki River makes its way through the gorge of the same name in Nepal. It is even older than the high Himalayan mountain range that surrounds the canyon. The river is named after the Hindu goddess Kali and its waters are colored black due to the presence of glacial silt. The exact depth of the giant gorge is still under debate because there is no agreement yet on the height of its rim. However, if the depth were measured from the highest peaks on either side to the river below, it would be the deepest canyon in the world with a depth of approximately 6,800 meters.

Capertee Valley in Australia

We head to the Capertee Valley in New South Wales, Australia. This majestic canyon is the largest in Australia and is famous for its high sandstone escarpments. Because of old age The valley is not as deep as some of the other canyons on this list, but it makes up for this disadvantage with its sheer size. Capertee is wider and approximately 1 km longer than the Grand Canyon. At the base of the valley is the Kaperty River, carving its path through Triassic rock that dates back millions of years. The indigenous Wiradjuri people have a very extensive history on this land, with several thousand years of mining craftsmanship. Ancient treasures have been found here many times - diamonds from abandoned mines dug into the slopes of the mountain.

Yarlung Tsangpo Canyon

High in the Himalayas, near the sacred Mount Kailash, a mighty canyon resists the Brahmaputra River in Northern India. With an average depth of 4,876 meters and a maximum depth of 6,009 meters, Yarlung Tsangpo is often considered the deepest canyon on Earth. And not only is the depth of the canyon impressive, but also the length of 240 km through the breathtaking Tibetan landscape. The river is popular with kayakers who... extreme conditions They gave it the name “Everest among rivers.”

About deep canyons

The word "canyon" translated from Spanish means "pipe, gorge." This term in geology refers to a deep and narrow river valley formed by a river bed that has carved its way through rocks over millions of years. It is widely believed that the deepest canyon in the world is the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River, located on the plateau of the same name in Arizona, USA. However, this opinion is wrong.

Colca Canyon

The first place in the list of the deepest canyons in the world belongs to the Colca River Canyon in Peru. Colca Canyon, about which a corresponding entry was made in the Guinness Book of Records in 1984.

Colca Canyon is located on the river of the same name in southern Peru, 160 kilometers northwest of Mount Arequipa, and passes through mountain system Andes. The name Colca comes from the Quechua Indian word, which means “grain barn.” This canyon was formed in a valley between two volcanoes – Ampato (6318 meters) and Carapuno (6425 meters).

The American Grand Canyon is inferior to its Peruvian counterpart a whole kilometer in depth. The depth of Kolka reaches 3400 meters. This canyon is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, which is notable for its habitability and agriculture. The canyon is interesting because ancient peoples organized agricultural sites on the slopes. It has several names - Valley of Wonders, Valley of Fire, Lost Valley of the Incas and Territory of the Eagles.

From the history of the Kolka Canyon

Most likely, the Grand Canyon was awarded the palm due to the fact that for a long time, almost until the beginning of the eighties of the twentieth century, the territory where the Kolkin Canyon is located was inaccessible. It was impossible to get to the canyon even by air (unless you are a condor, of course). Nowadays, you can admire the beauty of the canyon from a special observation deck, Cruz Del Condor.

Colca Canyon is home to the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus); a huge number of tourists come here, to the Condor Cross, specifically to close range watch these majestic birds.

View of Kolka from the observation deck

From the observation deck of Cruz Del Condor there is a breathtaking view of the canyon, at the bottom of which, at a depth of 1200 meters, the Colca River flows, and from opposite side Mount Misti rises powerfully from the gorge. And the Valley of Volcanoes, 65 kilometers long at the foot of the snow-covered peak of Coropuna, can rightfully be considered one of the most beautiful Peruvian landscapes. Topped with volcanic craters of varying sizes, this landscape resembles a lunar valley.

Olga Bondarenko, Alena Petrikei, Samogo.Net

The Colca Canyon is considered the deepest canyon in the world; its depth is more than 3,400 meters, and its total length is slightly more than 100 kilometers. It is located in South America, more precisely in the south of Peru and passes through the Andes mountain system. The famous Grand Canyon is 2 times smaller than this one, but much fewer tourists come here, perhaps this is due to the fact that its slopes are not so steep.

On the map Colca Canyon is located here

maps.google.com/?ll=-15.679781,-72.105215&spn=0.089248,0.144196&t=w&z=13

There are many small villages in the canyon, of course, because the land there is fertile.

Among the living creatures, the undisputed leader is the Andean Condor - this is the largest flying bird (of the non-flying ones, some kind of ostrich is in the lead) and this canyon is a natural habitat for it. You can often see him circling over the abyss. The wingspan of a condor is 3 meters.

One of the most memorable places is the so-called Condor Cross - an observation deck that can be seen in the top photo (below right). Just imagine the view there! And, by the way, condors often fly up to this observation deck, I’m just sure it’s an amazing sight. Now he is apparently sitting and resting.

But the Andean Condor is “in action”

In the mornings you can often see such a landscape... By the way, I found a panorama, but it weighs 7 MB, its length is no less than 17 thousand pixels 🙂 so I’m posting it with the link upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fc/Colca_canyon_panorama.jpg . Don't forget to enlarge.

By the way, if you are looking for chip flights, then Utair.ru official website is exactly what you need! I assure you, you won’t find it cheaper!

Beautiful, isn't it?

I'll tell you a little about the history of this canyon. Kolka has been inhabited by people for more than half a thousand years - these are the great-grandchildren of the pre-Industrial civilization. In the mountain valley, these tribes managed to create a system of agricultural terraces that have survived to this day. This is what modern residents now use.

And here's to dessert! Found an amateur video from the observation deck. At first, the clarity is not very good, but such amateur videos are much more lively. At the end of the video, pay attention to where else it is - right next to the birds, cool...

Canyons are considered one of the most amazing and attractive creations of nature. For millions of years, turbulent river flows flowed across the surface of the earth, neutralizing all obstacles in their path and gradually eroding deep valleys. Over time, the stormy streams of water dried up, and in their place only deep gorges remained. These amazing creations of nature are distinguished not only by their spectacular appearance, but also by their unique ecosystem. Many of them are habitats for rare species of animals and birds; rare plant species grow in the canyons. The deepest canyons on the planet are incredibly beautiful and, at the same time, very dangerous. Steep cliffs ready to collapse at any moment, a fast river flowing along the bottom, predatory animals and insects - the dangers only attract inspired tourists to these places.
Colca Canyon, Peru

Colca Canyon is one of the leaders on the planet in terms of depth, it is about 3,400 meters. Considering that the length of the canyon is more than 100 kilometers, it can easily lay claim to the title of one of the largest on the planet. The location of the canyon is also very unusual; it is located in the Andes, at an altitude of 3,260 meters above sea level. Main feature these places is unique nature, the Colca Canyon was chosen as the habitat of the largest predatory bird- condor. Its wingspan can reach 3.3 meters, for admiring these majestic birds and others natural beauties The canyon has several excellent viewing platforms, including La Cruz del Condor.

Many travelers, when visiting the canyon, strive to get to the Sangaye area. On its territory there is a unique plateau with tropical climate- a real tropical oasis with palm trees, surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks. It is best to explore the picturesque places of the canyon accompanied by a guide; the danger of collapses remains in the gorge. While walking through the most picturesque places of the canyon, you should definitely look into one of the colorful Andean villages; small mountain settlements can be found on both sides of the gorge.

Tsangpo Grand Canyon, China

Length: 500 km. Depth: more than 6000 m.

The depth of the Tsangpo Canyon, located in Tibet, is more than 6,000 meters, according to this indicator it is the undisputed leader. The length of the gorge is about 500 kilometers, it has a very unusual horseshoe shape. The mountains surrounding the canyon are incredibly high, their snow-capped peaks merge with the heavenly surface and become barely visible. It is they that attract rock climbing enthusiasts; conquering the mountain peaks surrounding the canyon is only possible for great professionals. Among distinctive features Tsangpo Canyon is also worth highlighting its unique ecosystem; depending on the altitude, the climate varies from arctic to subtropical.

On the southern slope of the canyon is Mount Namjagbarwa, the main peak of the Eastern Himalayas, rising up to 7,782 meters. The rapid Tsangpo River still flows along the bottom of the gorge; its minimum width is 80 meters, but from a bird's eye view it seems like a subtle thread lost among the mighty mountains. The last large-scale study of the canyon, as a result of which it was recognized as the deepest on the planet, took place in 1994. The results of the study became one of the most significant geographical achievements of the 20th century.

Capertee Valley, Australia

Length: 450 km. Width: 30 km.

The largest canyon in Australia is the Capertee Canyon. It is distinguished not only by its impressive size, but also by its considerable age. The valley was formed millions of years ago, so today its slopes no longer seem so steep. At the same time, extreme areas of steep cliffs are found here. Fans of rock climbing are not recommended to conquer them alone, rocks are very fragile and may collapse.

The length of the canyon is about 450 kilometers, while the width is about 30 kilometers. Since ancient times, local residents have used the Kaperti River valley to develop mines; the slopes of the gorge are literally precious gifts of nature. The very first mines in which precious stones were mined were developed here more than 2,000 years ago. It is noteworthy that over thousands of years the deposits precious stones not at all exhausted. Just recently, one of the inquisitive travelers spent 6 days in the canyon, during which time he managed to find 77 precious stones. Walking through ancient mines is also unsafe, anyone strong sound or awkward movement can lead to their collapse. Abandoned mines are not the only attractive feature of the Capertee Valley, but it remains an ideal location for natural exploration and cycling.

Kali Gandaki Canyon, Nepal

Depth: more than 6000 m.

The Kali Gandaki Canyon and the river of the same name flowing along its bottom received its name in honor of the Hindu goddess Kali, who is the personification of the powerful forces of nature. The exact depth of the canyon remains unknown, but is estimated to be more than 6,000 meters. The canyon is framed by the majestic Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains, whose height is more than 8,000 meters; thousands of travelers come to admire their snow-capped peaks every year. If for tourists these places are of interest, first of all, from a “natural” point of view, then for indigenous residents they have been considered sacred since ancient times.

Kali Gandaki Canyon, Nepal The bravest of the locals regularly venture to one of the gorges to find troubled waters rivers sacred stones "saligrams". The latter are indeed quite unusual; they are fossilized fragments of mollusks that lived in the river millions of years ago. These amazing stones in India are valued more than gold because they have unique healing properties. Travelers will also have the opportunity to devote their leisure time to dangerous and at the same time an interesting event. You can only go to the bottom of the gorge accompanied by an experienced guide; only local residents know the shortest and relatively easy routes to the banks of the river. Saligrams are just one of the many mysteries of the Kali Gandaki Canyon.

Grand Canyon Colorado, USA

Length: 446 km. Depth: 1800 m.

Without a doubt, we can say that the most famous in the world is the Grand Canyon of Colorado, it is located on the territory of a unique national park with the same name. The length of the canyon is 446 kilometers, and the depth is about 1,800 meters. Despite the fact that these modest parameters do not allow the canyon to claim world championships, it never ceases to remain a landmark of world significance and a center of attraction for millions of tourists. The canyon is about 10 million years old; it was carefully studied by scientists who discovered many amazing features.

One of the oldest canyons on the planet is home to 355 species rare birds and 150 species of animals, and the Colorado River is home to more than 15 rare species of fish. In addition to natural values, archaeological artifacts were also discovered in the canyon - rock paintings, which are about 3,000 years old. Every year, the Grand Canyon is visited by more than 5 million tourists, for whom there are excellent viewing platforms and interesting walking routes. The most popular viewing points are Cape Royal Point, Bright Angel Point and Imperial Point. Walking alone in the canyon is very dangerous, especially along its bottom. A deserted hot climate, cacti grow and there are quite a few dangerous inhabitants, including poisonous spiders and scorpions.

Fish River Canyon, Namibia

Length: 161 km. Depth: 550 m.

Canyon with so much unusual name located in Namibia, among its distinctive features is an incredibly spectacular and harmonious appearance. The length of the canyon is 161 kilometers, and the depth is only 550 meters, which is very modest in comparison with the “world giants”. At the same time, in terms of beauty, it can truly claim one of the first places in the world. The name of the canyon was given by the most long river Namibia - Fish River. The formation of the canyon occurs continuously; during the rainy season, the river is a rapid and seething stream. During periods of drought, on the contrary, the river dries out greatly, so small lakes form at the bottom of the canyon.

Lovers have a relaxing holiday They prefer to visit the canyon during the dry season, while it attracts extreme sports enthusiasts at the height of the rainy season. Walking along the sandy slopes of the canyon at this time is incredibly dangerous, and approaching the bottom of the gorge is completely prohibited - it can be flooded at any moment. Recently the canyon has become permanent place holding a marathon. The section of the route that the runners need to overcome is, not without reason, considered one of the most difficult in the world; it passes through difficult rough terrain. Tourists are recommended to visit these picturesque places from May to October - during drought. They will have unique opportunity take a walk along the bottom of the gorge, free from the seething streams of the Fish River.

Cotahuasi Canyon, Peru

Depth: 3535 m.

The Cotahuasi Canyon is the deepest in Peru, with a depth of 3,535 meters. The canyon is framed by two majestic mountain ranges - Solimana and Coropuna. Among the local natural attractions, it is worth highlighting beautiful waterfalls, the most beautiful of which is Sipia. Translated from the Quechua language, the name of the canyon can be translated as “home for all.” During the colonial period, many miniature settlements and mountain villages were founded on the slopes of the gorge. The Spanish colonialists also built bullfighting arenas here, some of which have survived to this day.

Calata is considered one of the most picturesque villages; among its main architectural attractions are the ancient cemeteries of Barrancas de Tenajaja. No less attractive is the village of Lucio, on whose territory there are healing thermal springs. The picturesque Cotahuasi Canyon is a unique treasure trove of natural and historical attractions; it is sure to impress lovers of hiking and excursions. If the gentle slopes of the gorge are suitable for habitation, then it sheer cliffs Ideal for honing your mountaineering skills. There are suitable areas for training here for both beginners and experienced athletes.

Canyon of the Tara River, Montenegro

Length: 80 km. Depth: 1300 m.

In Montenegro there is a canyon of the Tara River, it is the deepest in Europe. The depth of the gorge is about 1,300 meters, and the length is about 80 kilometers. The canyon is located on the territory of the Durmitor National Park, so it invariably attracts the attention of ecotourism enthusiasts. The Tara River and the canyon it formed received its name in honor of the ancient Illyrian tribe that once lived in these places. The Tara River is one of the main attractions of the country; it has an unusual cascading structure and along its length there are more than 40 significant differences in height. The water in the river is crystal clear and you can drink it without fear. Experienced tourists Those who enjoyed this event note the amazing taste of river water, which cannot be compared with any other.

These picturesque places have long been chosen by rafting fans; the cascade structure of the river makes the conditions for rafting simply ideal. In addition to rafting, tourists also have access to other sports entertainment– walks along steep mountain slopes and narrow paths on mountain bikes. Among the outstanding natural attractions of the canyon are the beautiful Bailovich Sige waterfall, as well as amazing forest Crna Poda, which has preserved its original beauty. In 1940, the construction of the Djurdzhevich Bridge over the canyon was completed; it offers a gorgeous panoramic view of the gorge and surrounding landscapes.

Blyde River Canyon, South Africa

Length: 26 km. Depth: 1372 m.

In South Africa, in the province of Mpumalanga, there is one of the outstanding natural attractions of the planet - the Blyde River Canyon. His maximum depth is 1372 meters, and the length of the gorge reaches 26 kilometers. Human development of the canyon began more than 100,000 years ago; in ancient times, the valley was home to the Swazi tribes. During the exploration of the canyon, scientists discovered rock paintings, as well as the remains of ancient people who died in intertribal warriors.

Currently, the main inhabitants of the canyon are animals, including primates who have chosen the local forests and rare kudu antelopes, which are attracted by the picturesque green meadows. It is also worth noting that wild animals, including leopards, are found in the canyon, so admiring its picturesque landscapes without a guide is not recommended. A century and a half ago, gold mining began in the canyon; for almost a hundred years, inspired prospectors continuously came here; gradually the gold deposits dried up, only the harmonious beauty of the gorge remained unchanged. Some sections of the canyon are ideal for mountaineering; the fast-moving Blyde River flowing along the bottom of the gorge only adds to the excitement of climbers.

Copper Canyon, Mexico

Depth: 1830 m.

Located in Mexico, Copper Canyon is a collection of six small canyons that are commonly considered to be a single natural formation. The name of the canyon fully reflects one of its main distinctive features; the slopes of the gorge have a rich copper-red hue. Over time, the slopes of the canyon became covered with green moss, which the Spanish colonialists who arrived in these places mistook for copper deposits. Walking along steep mountain slopes remains one of the favorite pastimes among tourists, and the luckiest may have the opportunity to see rare species local predators. It is for this reason that unaccompanied walks in some areas of the gorge are prohibited.

The height difference in the gorge is about 1870 meters, and while the tops of the mountains remain covered with snow, at the bottom of the gorge there are subtropical forests Life is literally in full swing. The canyon is home to more than 30% of the Mexican fauna, including dense forests You can see the rare Mexican wolf, black bear and puma. The number of plants growing in the canyon is in the thousands. These places invariably attract active travelers, and therefore the beautiful Copper Canyon was chosen as a permanent venue for the Festival of Educational and Adventure Tourism. Fans of excursions will be able to visit the settlements of the Rarámuri Indians and purchase handmade souvenirs.

Antelope Canyon, USA

At a distance of about 240 kilometers from the Grand Canyon of Colorado there is another outstanding attraction - Antelope Canyon. It is located on the territory of the Navajo reservation, so travelers can get to the canyon only after paying a fee and accompanied by a guide. The canyon is conventionally divided into two – upper and lower, both of which are distinguished by incredibly beautiful rock formations that serve as a center of attraction for photographers from all over the world. Visitors to these places will have a great opportunity to walk among the fabulously beautiful sandy rocks, through the narrow cracks between which light penetrates and gives these places an atmosphere of mystery.

What sets Antelope Canyon apart from others is its history of formation. The bizarrely shaped sandy rocks that can be admired today are the result of exposure to rainwater. Every year during the rainy season, the canyon undergoes a lot of changes, and when the heavy rains end, it becomes accessible to visitors. During heavy rains Some parts of the canyon are heavily flooded, so going for a walk along it during the rainy season is extremely dangerous. The bottom of the canyon is a complex labyrinth of sandy rocks; rainwater forms narrow passages into which rays of light barely penetrate. The color of the rocks that form the canyon is red-red, it strongly resembles the color of antelopes, this remarkable coincidence gave the name to the canyon.

Charyn Canyon, Kazakhstan

Length: 154 km. Depth: 300 m.

The location of the Charyn Canyon is Charyn national park in Kazakhstan, the length of the gorge is 154 kilometers, and its depth varies from 150 to 300 meters. Despite the relatively modest scale, the number of attractions and unique features The canyon is simply amazing. A mandatory point of the excursion program is a visit to the Valley of Castles. This is the name of the area in which amazing natural formations are concentrated - rocks, shaped like real castle towers. A lot of pleasant surprises await nature lovers; the canyon features more than 1,500 plants, about 80 species of animals and more than 100 species of birds. It is worth noting that many representatives of the local flora and fauna are listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan.

Experienced travelers compare the landscapes of the Charyn Canyon with the famous Grand Canyon; they are indeed very similar, but only in appearance. The ecosystems of the canyons are different; in the Charyn Canyon, rare species of trees that existed on the planet before the glaciation era have been amazingly preserved. Experienced tourists recommend visiting the canyon at sunset; the setting sun colors its slopes in purple, gold and pink tones - this spectacle looks simply mesmerizing. The area in which the Charyn Canyon is located is characterized by a high sand content in the soil. This feature makes walking along the slopes of the gorge quite dangerous; the fragile rock can collapse at any moment.