Heads up, this is a pretty serious climb up Chachani volcano, which sits way up high at 6075 meters (that’s 19,931 feet!). This 2-day, 1-night trip isn’t just a walk in the park; it’s more for folks who’ve done some mountain climbing before, especially at high altitudes. Altitude sickness is a real thing, and this climb is tough, so being prepared is key.
Here’s the lowdown: The first day is actually pretty chill. You’ll hike about 200 meters higher to where we set up base camp at 5175 meters (16,978 feet). The path is mostly flat, like, surprisingly flat for a volcano, and it usually takes less than 2 hours. Easy peasy.
Day two is the real deal. You’re going up about 1,000 meters more to hit the summit. This part takes around 6 hours. Depending on when you go, you might need crampons and an ice axe if there’s snow or ice – the conditions can change up there. After soaking in the amazing views from the top of Chachani and catching your breath, we’ll start heading back down. The plan is to get back to Arequipa (which is around 2,335 meters or 7,661 feet) by mid-afternoon.
Getting Ready: Day Before
So, the day before you actually start hiking, you’ll pop over to the gear place. This is where you’ll try on stuff like jackets or anything else you’re borrowing, and you’ll meet your guide. Good chance to ask any last-minute questions.
Alright, day one kicks off around 8 AM. We’ll grab you from your place in Arequipa in a private car. It’s about a two-hour drive to get to the starting point at the base of Chachani, sitting at 4950 meters (16,240 feet).
From there, you start walking. You’ll be on these old trails that are actually in good shape. Like we said, it’s mostly flat to get to the base camp (5175 m / 16,978 ft) and takes maybe 2 hours tops. Once you get there, dump your stuff, chill out for a bit, and have some lunch (you bring your own for day 1). Later on, your guide will cook up dinner – usually something simple and warm like veggie soup, maybe some pasta or chicken, and definitely some tea. You’ll crash in a tent for the night. Seriously though, the sunset view over Arequipa and the Andes from base camp? Pretty awesome.
Okay, this is the big day. You’ll be up super early. Breakfast first – think simple stuff like bread, some local Andean cheese, coffee with milk, or mate (coca tea). They keep meals light on purpose because heavy food makes dealing with the altitude way harder.
Then, it’s time to head for the top of Chachani (6075 m / 19,931 ft). This is the main climb, about 900 meters going up, and it’s a solid 6-hour push. It can be tough going. Remember, depending on the season and recent weather, you might need those crampons and ice picks to get through icy or snowy bits safely. Your guide will know what’s up.
When you make it to the summit, take a breather and look around. The views are insane. You can usually spot a bunch of other volcanoes like Coropuna, Ampato, Hualca Hualca, Sabancaya, Misti, and Ubinas. It’s pretty epic.
After you’ve had your fill of the top, we start the trek back down, all the way to where the car dropped us off. Our ride will be waiting to take us back to Arequipa. You should get back around 3 PM, and they’ll drop you off a couple of blocks from the main plaza. You’ll probably be pretty knackered but hopefully super stoked you did it!
What’s Included (The Stuff We Cover)
What’s Not Included (The Stuff You Need to Sort)
What You Need to Bring (Your Packing List)
At Arequipa Andean Explorer, we are passionate about showcasing Arequipa’s natural beauty through responsible tourism. We offer personalized tours—from scenic hikes to classic adventures—designed to match your unique preferences.
