Colca Canyon attracts 54,000 visitors so far in 2010

Thousands of travellers have headed to the Colca Canyon during their walking holidays in Peru so far this year.

Between January and the end of May 2010, the Colca Autonomous Authority (Autocolca) has revealed that 54,787 people visited the huge chasm, which is one of the deepest canyons in the world.

It marks a significant increase on the 46,761 tourists who took in the site as part of their holidays in Peru during the same period in 2009, reports state-run news agency Andina.

In May alone, more than 12,200 people explored the canyon, but despite these impressive figures, Autocolca has predicted that visitor numbers will rise even higher in the coming months as the peak season arrives.

The Adventure Company's Classic Peru walking holiday gives travellers the opportunity to witness the attraction themselves and also stops at a number of the Latin American country's other most popular sites.

Trips to Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the lively town of Puno are also included on the trip.

If this article sparks your imagination then have a look at our Machu Picchu tours or our holidays in Peru page