The largest city nearest to the Colca Canyons is Arequipa (4 hours away by bus), and the largest town within the Colca Canyon area is Chivay.  Along the mostly unpaved road west of Chivay that hugs the coast of the canyon are a number of tiny towns and villages, with the final one being the quiet, little village of Cabanaconde.  It is from Cabanaconde where condor watching is most convenient and where the major treks begin.   Getting There From Puno Little did we know that there had been ongoing strikes and violent protests between the Southern Peruvians and miners for the…