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The
department of Arequipa is synonymous with volcanoes and snow-capped
peaks, clear blue skies and endless plains. The region lies
on the western slopes of the Andes, and is the jumping-off
point for a series of climbs of varying difficulty, which
stand out for their rare combination of beautiful landscapes,
easy access and their ancient cultural heritage.
The Misti volcano (5,825 meters) is the symbol of the city of
Arequipa. The route up to the top is more of a hike than a
climb, and takes two days up steep scree slopes . The most
popular of the ascents starts out from the city and continues
up to Tambo Inca and the base camp of Nido de Aguilas. Hikers
will reach the summit on the second day. Chachani (6,075 meters),
the other volcano overlooking the city, can be climbed taking
a spectacular trail that climbs up from Pampa de Arrieros.
The Colca Valley also features several imposing mountains
which are popular amongst climbers: The Ampato (6,288 meters)
and Sabancaya (5,976 meters) volcanoes and Mount Hualca Hualca
(6,025 meters) are some of the highest.The Cotahuasi Valley features Mount Coropuna (6,425 meters), its
most beautiful peak, giving climbers superb views of the region.
The valley is reached from Lake Pallarcocha, just a two-day
drive from Arequipa.
Climate: The rain season runs
from December to March, while the best time to visit is from
April to June. The climate is dry and sunny by day, with cold
nights. Average temperatures reach 20°C.
Access: The Colca Valley is located
150 km (around 4 hours) northeast of the city of Arequipa.
The Cotahuasi Valley lies 375 km (around 12 hours) northeast
of Arequipa.
Services: For information on
access to these and other mountains, check with adventure
tourism companies based in Arequipa which provide logistics
services and coordinate with guides and local porters.
The best time for climbing is between May and October. |
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