EL MISTI climb
First Option - Second Option
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.
El Misti is snow less the most time of the year, but some times is
completely cover, that people in Arequipa says "el volcan Misti se ha
vestido" (had dressed up), the trek up to El Misti is just a path all
the way, so is not necessary to have experience but its important to know
that is a strong hike up, so you
have to be in a good shape to do it, in special for the ash and sand
that press the climbers to walk up in zig zags.
Misti Day 1: Our 4wd vehicle 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.
Misti 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.
Length: 2 days / 1 night.
Difficulty: Moderate
Group Size: Minimum 2 / Maximum 6
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