The most beautiful natural sites to discover Region Of Arequipa

You can take advantage of the "Chacapi" thermal waters, located 1 km below the village, and much less frequented than those of Chivay. On the spot, a covered swimming pool and another one in the open air. Correct and quite small. More rustic, the thermal baths of Puye, opposite, are located below, along the river with their small stone pools. The community administers it. The entrance fee is the same. We appreciate that there are far fewer people.

These are the most famous baths, as they are the largest in the region. The five pools of thermal water, at 32 and 40 °C, are very pleasant to relax in and constitute the main interest of this village. You can get there on foot or by colectivo (local bus), leaving from Calle del General Moràn for S/ 1. Preferably, go in the morning to have a lot less people, as most of the travel agencies go there from 3 p.m. onwards once their excursion is over.

Located about twenty kilometers northwest of Chivay, Mount Mismi (5,597 m) is none other than the source of the largest river in the world, the Amazon! The Apacheta torrent that flows from Nevado Mismi will become great! It is considered to be the furthest source of the Amazon network from the mouth of the river, which flows into the Atlantic almost 6,800 km downstream, in Brazil. The small torrent soon joins the Apurímac river, which in turn joins the Ucayali and then the Marañón further north, to form the Amazon river.

The ascent of the Misti volcano (5,825 m) is the most practiced in the region. We reach the skirts of this volcano in 1h30 by car from Arequipa. The ascent (6h of ascent the^1st day and 4h the^2nd day) is rewarded by the fabulous panorama that the volcano reserves you..

The good agencies include transportation, food, tent, mattress and sleeping bag, jackets and pants, guide. Good boots, 6 liters of water per person, 1 large and 1 small bag are required.

The Misti by public transport, it is possible! You don't necessarily need to use a tour operator, but how do you go about it? You have to take a combi to Chiguata, to be dropped off at the foot of the volcano, at the crossroads. There, there is a large private property that closes the access to the volcano. Either we ask to open the door, or we prefer to go around by the downstream. We go up first the track frequented by 4X4 (count 2h to 2h30) then we follow the unique path. We walk 4 to 5 hours more to go to put the camp to 4600 m.

The following day, we put approximately 4h to reach the main summit. Count 1h more for the detour by the crater and its fumaroles. If there are still some snow on the track, the sticks or an ice axe can be very useful. Stay on the ridges on the way up, and for the descent, prefer the combes full of sand.

This itinerary is the ascent by the south ridge; interesting because from the camp, you can see a superb sunset. In the morning, it is simply magic to see the shadow of the volcano on the city!

You can try to climb Nevado Chachani (6,075 m). Considered as the easiest mountain to climb in Peru, this volcano of more than 6 000 m is still active. At 2 hours by 4X4 from Arequipa, we arrive at the base camp from where we start a walk of about 6 hours to the summit. Its ascent requires 2 days and 1 night in bivouac. Think of crampons which are necessary in case of snow.

Many agencies also offer downhill mountain biking from 4,800 meters to 2,500 meters, in 4 hours.

Besides the numerous natural thermal waters, this modern complex offers private whirlpools and swimming pools but the concrete side takes away a lot of charm from the whole and everything is not impeccable. We advise you to take advantage of the open-air springs in the different villages or hotels that have them.

Day 1 : departure from Cabanaconde, 4 to 5 hours of descent to Llahuar. Small camping Llahuar (Robert +51 956 271 333). And, next to it, the Balcones del Colca.

Day 2 : from Llahuar, 2h climb to Apacheta then 2h to Fure. Here, not many inhabitants, better to have a tent.
Day 3 : return trip to the Huaruro waterfall : 2h climb, 1h descent. Then from Fure, 2h of descent to the oasis.
Day 4 : return to Cabanaconde from the oasis of Sangalle. Very nice, but much more touristic (5 to 6h walk, leave early in the morning, it's hot and it goes up).

The first day: departure from the pampa of San Miguel, count 3 hours of descent until San Juan de Chuccho, then 30 minutes of climbing until Tapay.
The second day: leave in the morning, you will start with one hour of descent from Tapay to Malata by way of Cosñihua, then another 2 to 3 hours until the oasis. Note that you can also get to Malata by road, there are one or two combis that pass by each day. If you want to continue to Cabanaconde, don't leave after 2pm from the oasis to avoid walking in the night.