Colca is an inter-Andean valley populated and developed by three ethnic groups: the Kollowas, the Cabanas, and the Ccaccatapay. The Kollawas occupied the eastern region of the river basin. The Cabanas were in the eastern region of the Colca river. The Ccaccatapay lived in the deepest area of the center of the Colca River canyon in what today is the Tapay district. They were great livestock herders, farmers and made irrigation ditches. However, there are also remains of prehistoric cultures and the Incas in that area. The headwaters of the Colca Valley are higher than 4,000 meters above sea level and are only used for the livestock. As the elevation lowers, the ecology changes to an agriculture zone at around 3,000 meters above sea level. It is there that the valley then becomes the colca canyon. The canyon stretches 100 km and plunges down 3,400 meters. Apart from its rich agriculture, its churches have notable architecture and valuable pieces of religious art. This artisanship shows the culture and traditions of each one of its communities. In the caves found in the Colca Valley there are paintings and carvings that date back more than 7,000 years. These carvings depict scenes of hunting, llamas, foxes, human figures, representations of the stars like the sun, the southern cross, birds, and many other figures. These drawings show the passing of time and the various settlements which during thousands of years left footprints of their existence.
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