Hi gang. I'm doing some initial research for a potential trip to Peru; I'm interested in Colca Canyon. (Actually, I'm interested in Cotahusi Canyon but that's too hard to get to!) I'm under the impression that to get to Colca Canyon, one typically starts in Arequipa then drives (all day!) to Chivay, then drives the next day to the canyon.

I can see there's an airport (airstrip?) in Chivay. There's no IATA code for it though; just an ICAO designation of SPDF. I'm kind of picturing a packed dirt strip as opposed to an actual airport ... Don't imagine they'd have an F lounge there!

Has anyone here:

a) Visited Colca Canyon? Impressions? How did you get there?
b) Flown to / from SPDF?

Thanks!