Cañon de Colca is the Peruvian version of the Grand Canyon but twice as deep. It would be the same as if you slide the Rocky Mountains to the edge of the Grand Canyon and measured from the top of the peak to the river at the bottom of the canyon. Unfortunately you can't hike if the deepest part because the terrain is too rugged. We did a two hike down the canyon on a "knee-busting" trail, then climbed out the next day. We gained 3,000 ft in a little less than a mile and a half. Yes, as you may have just figured out, that is really steep uphill. We finally feel like we are in Peru as this trail went through a couple of local villages. People still live the traditional lifestyle deep in the canyon with the only access being a three hour donkey ride. They just had electricity installed two months ago.