24/05/2013
Group Size: Minimum 2 / Maximum 6
El Misti is the symbol of the "Arequipeños" and the most popular climbing in the south Peru area, the people in Arequipa say that they are mistianos because the Misti volcano is their protector. This hike up the volcano takes 2 days but the record is about 4 hours and 20 minutes, any way a previous preparation is important because you will arrive to 5,828 meters like 18,000 feet, so this is not a game, the best is if you are coming from Cusco, Puno or Bolivia to get use to the altitude.
Misti Climb is an amazing hike, as much for its interesting geological formations as for its magnificent views. The last eruption had registered more than 500 years ago, and the view of the crater is spectacular, and can be safely viewed from up close.
Day 1:
Our van 4x4 picks you up from your hotel and two hours later we arrive at the base of Misti (3300 meters) from here we start the misticlimb. The landscape changes dramatically with increasing altitude due to the different stresses on the plant life.
We camp at 4700 meters. The view of Arequipa city at night is amazing, and the view of the starts is spectacular, here at our camp the professional mountain guide provides you with hot soup and at the same time he tells the different fairy tails of the Apus Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu.
Day 2:
Very early we have breakfast including mate de coca (this tea made from coca leaves which helps with the effects of altitude), after this we start the 6 hours climb to the Misti summit. The top is an incredible look out point you can see the Chachani Mountain and the Pichu Pichu volcano, the water dam of Aguada Blanca, Salinas Lake, and Arequipa city, if is a clear summer day you even can see the pacific ocean far deep, we also see the perfect conic shade of the El Misti projected on the Arequipa city but the very best is the enormous crater of Misti volcano; if is tuff to hike up El Misti is very easy to slide down, which is comprised mostly of sand and the ash which cushions your steps and allows you to stop easily when you need to. We pack up our tents and then keep descending couple of more hours to the ATV car, arriving finally to Arequipa approximately at 4 in the afternoon.
This climb include
Van 4x4
Professional mountain guide.
Climbing equipment (tent, mattresses)
01 breakfast
01 dinner
No included
Sleeping bag
Warm jacket
Flashlight and batteries
Water (4 litres/person required)
Snacks
|
|