Standing sentinel over the city of Arequipa in southern Peru, El Misti Volcano is a breathtaking sight to behold. With its perfectly symmetrical cone rising to a height of 5,822 meters above sea level, El Misti is an iconic symbol of the region’s natural beauty and geological significance. El Misti is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped zone of seismic activity characterized by frequent volcanic eruptions and tectonic movements. The volcano is classified as a stratovolcano, characterized by its steep-sided cone formed from alternating layers of hardened lava, volcanic ash, and other volcanic debris. The geological history of El Misti dates back millions of years, with its formation influenced by the subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate. Over time, successive eruptions have sculpted the volcano’s distinctive shape, creating a majestic landmark that dominates the skyline of Arequipa and the surrounding region. The name “Misti” is derived from the Quechua word “mist’i,” meaning “gentleman” or “kind,” reflecting the respect and reverence accorded to the volcano by the local communities. Today, El Misti continues to inspire awe and admiration among visitors and locals alike, serving as a symbol of the enduring bond between humanity and the natural world.
For outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers, hiking to the summit of El Misti is a bucket-list experience not to be missed. The ascent to the volcano’s crater offers a challenging yet rewarding trek through rugged terrain and high-altitude landscapes, culminating in breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Andean mountains and valleys.
The most popular route to the summit begins from the base camp at around 3,300 meters (10,827 feet) above sea level, with the hike typically taking two to three days to complete. Along the trail you can obviously admire stunning vistas of snow-capped peaks, volcanic craters, and the sprawling city of Arequipa below.
As said, hiking el Misti is challenging and requires not only a good physical condition but also acclimatisation to the higher altitudes. Before enrolling to this trek, make sure you feel comfortable to hike in the surroundings of Arequipa. After couple of days in town try to go for an easier hike just in the outskirts. I advice you Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve. It offers a variety of hiking trails through stunning natural landscapes. From expansive grasslands to tranquil lagoons teeming with birdlife, this reserve provides you with a chance to immerse yourself in the beauty of Peru’s high-altitude ecosystems. Keep an eye out for native wildlife such as vicuñas, Andean flamingos, and Andean geese as you explore the reserve’s trails. The trails here are easy and will allow you to get used to trekking on this altitude.
Once you feel you are ready, choose one of the tour operators offering the guided hike to El Misti. I can recommend https://quechua-explorer.com/en/ and book your tour. It’s worth to know that the tour won’t take place if there are less than 3 people subscribed. Not a problem if you are travelling in a group and all of you are willing to face this challenging trail. If you are travelling alone, I advice you either to pair up with other fellow travellers or simply leave your phone number to the guide. The tour operator will call you back as soon as there is a group big enough to climb El Misti. Another very important thing to be aware of your own possibilities. When you leave the base camp and start your trek toward the summit, the whole group must be fit enough to proceed. If there is even one person not feeling well, the guide will have to go back with the whole group which means nobody will be able to proceed to reach the summit. It’s really important to be well rested, acclimatised to the altitude and fit enough to hike for many hours. Do not underestimate these conditions because it not only may affect you but also your fellow hikers. Last but not least make sure that the day after the hike you have enough time to relax and rest.
As for the trek itself, the tout guide will give you all the indications needed: how much food and water to bring, what to wear. If you are approaching this hike it’s obvious that you are at least an intermediate or even an experienced hiker so it is needless to say that you must wear technical and thermic cloths, good hiking shoes, a sun cap, sunglasses and bring sun screen and head lamp. You can hire the cloths and hiking poles fro the tour operator so don’t worry if you didn’t bring the right equipment. As said, the guides are very professional and will help you with any missing pieces of your outfit.
Most of the tours start the trek at the first base of the volcano. It. Takes roughly 4-5 hours to arrive to the base camp at over 4000m where you will have dinner and where you will spend the night in a tent. The bed time is as early as 6-7 PM because the real hike usually starts in the middle of the night: around 1.00 AM which means that you will walk in a total darkness but it also means that you will see one of the most beautiful sunrises in your life. Going up to to the summit is no joke and all the guides are super experienced. They will adapt the pace to the capacities of your group so nobody will be left behind. How long does it take to achieve the summit? Well, depends on how fast you hike up and how long you need to rest (obviously there are breaks). In average it takes 6-7 hours to reach the peak. Once you are at the top, it’s simply magic: you can be proud of yourself if you arrived here, the views are fantastic and the crater of the volcano reminds you about the power of nature. Usually it’s possible to stay a little bit and enjoy the scenery but obviously at a certain point you must hike back to the base camp and the further down. Normally the tours go back to Arequipa in the afternoon. Remember, once back in town, get a lots of rest.
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