Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arequipa, Pallarcocha Lake 4743 m

   • At 5 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel in Arequipa to embark on a journey in a private jeep. 
   • Descending towards the desert and then northwest; after 3 hours of driving, we will reach the agricultural valley of Majes (600 m), our first stop. 
   • Here, you will explore the Petroglyphs of Toro Muerto, located in the middle of the desert, surrounded by imposing canyon walls. 
   • In Toro Muerto, you’ll have enough time to discover over a hundred carvings on volcanic rocks depicting human figures, animals, and plants, created by ancient Peruvian civilizations over 1200 years ago.
   • Today’s breakfast will be a bit later in the town of Corire (included). Our second stop is Qerulpa, known as the small Jurassic Park of the Arequipa region. 
   • From there, we’ll walk about 10 minutes to the top of a rocky hill to find dinosaur footprints on the slopes of sandy hills. According to paleontological reports, dinosaurs inhabited this remote place between 100 and 150 million years ago.
   • Continuing through the arid region with its incredible landscapes, we will ascend to Chuquibamba (3000 m), a beautiful green valley where we’ll make a late lunch stop. 
   • Around 3:00 p.m., we must continue driving uphill to the higher altitude area of the town to appreciate the first views of the south face of Coropuna peak.

   Distance: 290 km by car

   Walking time: 1 hour on foot

   Route level: Moderate

   Maximum altitude: 4743 m.a.s.l.

   Accommodation: Tents

   Camp: Pallarcocha Lake 4743 m.a.s.l.

2. Day 2: Pallarcocha Lake, Base Camp 5583 m

   • Today, breakfast is scheduled for 7 a.m., followed by the task of packing all our camping equipment. 
   • Subsequently, we will travel by vehicle for about 40 minutes to reach the final point of Coropuna (5307 m). 
   • Around 10 a.m., we will begin the uphill hike, lasting about 2 hours for 1.92 km, to reach the second base camp (5583 m) and approach Mount Coropuna. 
   • Today’s ascent will be gradual, considered of moderate difficulty, and will be accompanied by beautiful landscapes, including a panoramic view of Solimana peak.
   • After setting up the tents, we will enjoy lunch, and you will have the afternoon free to explore the area, gaining more confidence and familiarity with the imposing Mount Coropuna.

   Distance: 1.92 km

   Walking time: 2 hours on foot

   Route level: Moderate

   Maximum altitude: 5583 m.a.s.l.

   Accommodation: Tents

   Camp: Coropuna Base Camp 5583 m.a.s.l.

3. Day 3: Base Camp, Coropuna Summit 6425 m, Pallarcocha Lake, Arequipa

   • At 1 a.m., we wake up to prepare and enjoy an energizing breakfast. 
   • Each person is responsible for organizing their climbing equipment, including crampons, ice axe, harness, and rope (with a 43° angle). 
   • During the first 4 hours, we will climb in the darkness, guided by the light of our headlamps, ascending the east-southeast face to reach one of the highest peaks of this imposing mountain. 
   • The ascent involves challenging sections of small and large crevasses, testing our climbing skills to avoid falls. 
   • Along the way, we will commonly encounter penitentes, forming an obstacle that we must overcome.
   • Around 5:45 a.m., the sun rises over another higher mountain near Coropuna, creating memorable moments of this climbing journey. 
   • After 6 or 7 hours of intense climbing, we reach the summit and indulge in precious minutes to contemplate the majestic Andes surrounding us.
   • Following the mountain guide’s instructions, we initiate the most challenging phase of the journey: the descent, which can be physically demanding for each participant. 
   • We will need approximately 3 to 5 hours to descend to the base camp.
   • Around 2:00 p.m., after packing all the camping equipment, we begin the descent to find the jeep that will take us back to Arequipa, a journey that will take approximately 7 hours. 
   • Each participant will be dropped off at their respective hotels, marking the end of our services.

   Distance: 3 km to the summit and 5 km to our transportation

   Walking time: 14 hours on foot

   Route level: Extreme

   Maximum altitude: 6425 m.a.s.l. Summit Coropuna