Adventure Destination: Arequipa

Arequipa, the white city, the land of Misti, an adventure destination. One of the most geographically rich departments in Peru, where the Amazon River is born, where immense volcanoes rest, and where the beautiful Colca Valley extends. A great attraction for tourists and adventure sports enthusiasts. Join us on this journey through the White City to discover what adventure sports we can practice there.

Rock Climbing

Mountain Biking

Paragliding

Sandboarding

Trekking

Photo: Confia.pe

ROCK CLIMBING

The Colca Canyon is the ultimate destination for any climber visiting this city. Finding climbing routes is not difficult at all, there are rock walls very close to the city such as Chocho Loco (25 meters), Faisán (11 meters), La Gerva (25 meters), Monito (8 meters), among others. Beyond the city, you will also find more rugged routes with waterfalls included, such as Huaruro Waterfall with over 100 meters of drop, where besides climbing, canyoning or rappelling can also be done. Another ideal place for climbing is the Cotahuasi Canyon, where many sports events are held annually.

Photo: Topoperú

RAFTING

Rafting is one of the most practiced sports in Arequipa, its rivers and rapids make it an adrenaline-filled experience. Where can you practice it? There are various places, but the most well-known are the Chili River, the Cotahuasi Canyon, and of course, the turbulent Colca River located 300 km from Arequipa. If you are looking for something 'milder', you can also go to the Chanchani circuit, just 20 minutes from the city, where the rapids are gentle, ranging from levels I to II.

The Colca River, on the other hand, is a different story. Its rapids are internationally known for their difficulty and require advanced rafting skills. This river features extreme rapids in its upper and middle sections, allowing you to enjoy the Arequipa flora and fauna in total peace, as it is an isolated area from settlements and civilization. The best months to practice this sport are from May to December.

Photo: Ecoaventuras

PARAGLIDING

Paragliding is already an incredible experience, but doing it over the Andean sky is mind-blowing. Despite the turbulence and temperature changes in Arequipa, living this experience is totally worth it. Although the ascent can be a bit tedious for many, Misti is the perfect spot to take off and soar over the city. Another alternative take-off spot is the Colca Canyon, just 4 hours from Arequipa, where you launch from the Chachani volcano at over 4 thousand meters above sea level.

Photo: Panoramio

BIKING

Mountain biking couldn't be missing in Arequipa. Just imagine descending the slopes of Misti from 3400 meters above sea level at full speed with your bike, crossing trails, winding roads, communities, and even archaeological sites. Sweaty palms just thinking about it, right? Don't worry, there's more. Another volcano you can descend in downhill mode is Chachani, where besides adrenaline, you can get to know nearby communities.

Now, if you have experience riding and want to test your strength and endurance, there are 5-day tours starting from Chivay, in the Colca Canyon, crossing the valley until ending up facing the ocean in Camaná. Are you up for the challenge?

Photo: Arequipaxtremo

TREKKING

After mentioning so many rustic routes and paths, we imagine that Trekking enthusiasts must be itching to explore these slopes, volcanoes, canyons, and more geographical features that present different levels of difficulty. Here we will elaborate on the routes you can follow.

Misti Volcano: Icon of the city, its ascent is quite challenging, with over 5 thousand meters above sea level, starting from the city passing through Tambo Inca to the base camp Nido de Águilas. The complete journey can last a couple of days depending on the person's pace.

Chachani Volcano: This volcano, the second most popular in the city, stands at over 6 thousand meters above sea level and has four peaks. Despite its height, the ascent is not so complicated and can be reached in about two days. The route ascending to Pampa de Arrieros is simply spectacular.

Pichu Pichu: Composed of 7 summits reaching 5540 meters above sea level and still preserving Inca remains at the summit. The route to follow leads to the Salinas Lagoon, which takes a couple of days on the road.

Ampato: Mountain where the mummy Juanita was found in 1995. It is named Ampato due to its toad shape (Ampato in Aymara), with its summit reaching 6288 meters above sea level. To reach it, you must travel for 3 to 4 days.

Coropuna Snowcapped: Located in the Cotahuasi Valley, it offers incredible landscapes. This snowcapped peak is the 3rd highest peak in Peru, and its ascent takes between 2 to 3 days from Pallarcocha Lagoon.

Photo: Arequipaturismo

Don't miss visiting this magnificent adventure destination on your next trips, tell us about your experience and share your adventure.