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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. |
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