Challenging Trekking To Active Volcanoe In The Andes Of Peru
At 215 KM away from Arequipa is located one of the most active volcanoes in Peru. From away easily is possible to see the conical stratovolcano shape with 30 km3 of volume, area of 45 km2, and 300m deep of the crater.
According the ancient Quechua etymology Ubinas means “It seems like turning off”, because since pre-Incas times the volcan begins the activities and off-course the natives people living around were wondering about it, and for sure they did offerings in different meaning to calm down the volcano activities.
Volcan Ubinas (5672M) is the most accessible to get the top because is not technical climb, is mostly trek at high altitude and considered the easier trekking to see amazing views of the crater.
We invite you to explore this active volcano located in the region of Moquegua, but just 3hrs away from Arequipa and next to laguna de Salinas and Misti volcano.
DAY TREK ITINERARY TO UBINAS VOLCANOE
The challenge begins at 5AM with pick-up from customer hotel in Arequipa. To get out of the city we will take the oldest road from Arequipa to Puno (Southeast Arequipa), through the valley of Chiguata (2970M), and uphill drive on dirt road through Pichu Pichu geography and large Andean Forest of Queñuales (Polylepis), the see the forest will meaning welcoming to the national reserve of Aguada Blanca and Salinas.
Around 6:30AM will be the first stop at 4230M/13877.95Ft of altitude as known as “El Simbral”, this peculiar viewpoint offers us one the best sunrise over Misti volcano (5820M/19094.49Ft) and the city of Arequipa, with conical shape of the volcano over the countryside.
Continue driving on dirt road will appear more mountain region, and the amazing view of Laguna de Salinas – Depending of the season the lagoon will be fully of blue waters (February to June), or dry lagoon from August to December (Salt flats) surrounding by the backside of Misti volcano and Pichu Pichu Mt, and off course away on the east will be a massive volcano as known as Ubinas.
Around 7:30AM we will stop in small town on the right side of the lagoon to enjoy country breakfast over 4200M/1377 Ft. One more hour of drive through the mountains, and small flocks of Llamas, Alpacas and Vicuñas we will arrive to the bottom of volcan Ubinas – The end of the road will be at 5000M/16404.2Ft of altitude.
We will get out of the 4x4, the fresh air blows our faces and this means the begin of challenge trekking for about 3-4 hrs to top of the crater of the volcano. The first steeps will be hard until we all find a rhythm of breathing coordinated with our movements at high altitude. Our way up will be very steep, sandy, slippery but awarded with spectacular views of surrounding sceneries. Very slowly trek will be very helpful for everyone, with short breaks to enjoy the panorama.
Around midday we will crown the top of the crater, the biggest crater circumference (5450M/17880Ft) - For people who never been or see an active volcano, this day will be unforgettable memories to see how nice and dangerous could be an active volcano as the Ubinas. The geography of the crater is very intimidated thanks the huge walls and the steaming coming out from the deep of the crater. The way down to our jeep will be not more than 1hr.
Around 1PM we will drive back to Laguna de Salinas to get lunch and then 1 or 2 hrs of trek along the shores of the lagoon to see the pink flamingos and other andean birds.
The way back to Arequipa will be same we did in the morning – Around 5PM drop-off at customer hotel and end of adventure.
