CLIMBING MISTI
By Aguada Blanca(dam) First Option - Second Option
We arrive to Aguada Blanca national reserve by 4wd vehicle at 4,000m
altitude. We begin the climb at 4,000m and hike up to 4,800m, which is
an easier option than starting the hike at 3,300m up to the base camp.
This is a protected national reserve where we can appreciate vicuñas,
vizcachas, andean cara cara, guanacos and possibly condors. Then we
have to cross the Aguada Blanca dam, where we need a special permit
from the government(which is the reason we need your passport number
one week before).
This entrance is only authorized to legitimate agencies like Colca Trek.
Warning: be careful when choosing an agency as some agencies don't
have the authority to enter the national reserve (and croos the Dam).
If you choose an unauthorized agency you will not be able to enter the
reserve. That is why you should choose Colca Trek as we are an
authorized agency.
Misti Volcano day 1: We pick you up at your hotel at 9.00 am and drive
by Cabrerias in the slopes of the impressive mount Chachani
(6,080m) then we cross the Aguada Blanca bridge and finally our 4wd
van drops you off at 4,100m altitude.
From here we start the climb to El Misti
volcano, we have to pass very beautiful ash dunes. Arriving to our
base camp at Mount Blanc after 3 or 4 hours of climbing at an altitude
of 4,750m, we set our base camp located at the east face of Misti
volcano looking over the Aguada Blanca dam. We have dinner which is
cooked by our guide and we go to bed early for get rady for the next
day.
Day 2: After an early breakfast before sunrise, as we are on the East
side of Misti where we will observe the most beautiful sunrise of
Peru(impossible in option 1) then we walk from the East face to the
North face, arriving to the north face on top of Misti after a 5 hour
climb.. Arriving at 8 or 9 am on top of Misti, we can appreciate the
spectacular view of the crater and the "big metal cross" (5m in
height) at the top, we will be here for approx. 30 minutes to
appreciate the amazing view from the top of El Misti. From here, we
are able to appreciate the complete volcanic mountain range in order.
From South to North in this order, Ubinas volcano(smoking in the last
2 years), Pichu Pichu, Chachani, Ampato, and Coropuna ( we do not see
Sabancaya and Walka
Walka clearly because these volcanoes are hidden in back of Chachani)
After this great experience we start climbing down the slope and at
times we have the sensation of sliding down because of the loose sand
and ash, making it a very enjoyable experience. The normal time to
get back to the base camp climbing down is approx. one hour. After
arriving to our base camp, we pick up our tents and return by 4wd
around 12 pm. arriving approximately at 2 pm at Arequipa.
We will bring you at your hotel or any other place you wish to be
dropped off in the city.
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