Hello there,
Plan to go on a trip to Peru in May '06. The four-days Inca trail to Machu Picchu is on the program as well as some climbing around Arequipa; perhaps El Misti, Chachani...
Anyone who can recommend a good Macu Picchu- arranger in Cusco and/or mountain guides around Arequipa? /many thanks. André

Gruss Got !
As far as El Misti and Chachani, I would advise :
Zarate Expediciones e hijos
calle Santa Catalina 115-A
phone ++ 996-56-52
fax ++ 46-36-24
zarateexpedition@hotmail.com
(they should have also a site...)

more expensive than my arranger but definitely more professional too according to what I observed on El Misti.
Suerte,
Ario
______________________________
update from Feb. 2006 trip:
Miguel Zarate of Zarate Expediciones e Hijos (not to be confused with his brother Carlos Zarate of Carlos Zarate Adventures) seems not anymore interested in guiding if not for those clients especially wanting to be guided by the co-discoverer of the mommy “Juanita” - In which case prices are adjusted accordingly . He’s agency is more an ascent retailer now than an ascent organiser like the 4 mentioned bellow.

PS
The previous arranger is located in Arequipa, off course !
Bon voyage,
Ario

While in Cusco check out Inca Explorers. They can set you up with guide, porters etc for the 4 day trail hike. I had no complaints using them. Have fun!

I can recommend <a href="http://www.sastravelperu.com/">SAS Travel Peru</a> in Cuzco for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.

Ario, Halilku and Ben! Thanks! Will definately check them out! /André

Here is the company that we used. They met and exeeded our expectations:

http://www.andeantreks.com/

Cheers
Bill

I'm just back from an ascent of El Misti. Here is the latest update as far as the arrangers and the market:

You will find plenty of agencies downtown Arequipa offering guided tours of the very high volcanoes around (Misti, Chachani, etc.). However, beware there are just 4 actually organizing tours left! The others just sale the service and sub-contract 3 of those 4, adding their margin to the base price.
______________________________________________________________________
The four genuine guided ascent organizers are:

Carlos Zarate "Adventures"
http://www.zarateadventures.com/
Calle Santa Catalina 204
Of. Cercado
Telef. +51-54-202461
Telefax: +51-54-263107
Offers high Standard service only with UIAGM certified guides. They are the only ones to sale their services without working with all those retailers previously mentioned. The most expensive on the market!

Ulises Barrenechea C.,
Ulises_bc@hotmail.com
An adventure specialist operating from
Hostal “La Reyna”
Calle Zela Nro 209
GPS: S16-23.702 & W71-32.154
Next to Sta. Catalina Convent
Telef. / Telefax:+51-54-286578
hostalreyna@yahoo.com
Ulises has his “exclusive” guides. They are reliable and have passed part of the UIAGM required courses. He operates 3 modern Toyota 4 x 4, a luxury in Arequipa “mountain industry”: A “must” for those mountains requiring a long and tough approach! He applies market prices (after fair negotiations!).

Quechua explorer
Calle San Francisco 218
Telef. +51-54-282965
Cel. +51-54-9999658
Cel +51-54-9693135
quechuaexplorermg@hotmail.com
tivanamaru@yahoo.com
They contract reliable guides with UIAGM certification or part of the required UIAGM courses. Market prices (after fair negotiations!).

The joint venture of
Continental Expedition (operates 4x4) & Wayra or Pachamama Explorer (has a well equipped warehouse of technical gear)
Calle Jerusalen 302-b & 314
Telef. +51-54-330155 & +51-54-221990
Cel. +51-54-9995353 & +51-54-9685424
The least reliable of the 4 operators, the retailers only work with them when the demand is higher than what Ulises or Quechua can handle. Pachamama Explorer team (3 brothers) are very much into Spirituality and Quechua culture but from what I saw it was more motivated by the resulting success in banging western naïve ladies than deep faith and conviction ! Market prices (after fair negotiations!).
____________________________________________________________________
February 2006, market prices for an ascent of El Misti, from Arequipa, are as follow:

Complete guided package:
120 to 140 US$ for 1 client
65 to 75 US$ for 2 clients
45 to 55 US$ for 3 clients and more

Transportation from downtown to the trailhead (Ruta Grau or Southern approach) and back from the trailhead to downtown: 40 to 50 US$ depending on the quality of the used 4x4 vehicle.

Guide services for high summits: 60 to 70US$ / day (El Misti is viewed as a one-day trip to guide as the ascent starts at mid-day and finishes the next day at mid-day).
___________________________________________________________________

Wishing you a great time in South America,
Ario

Hi Ario! Good info re Arequipa! This will be very useful. Also great page you made with the
vulcanos of Arequipa. I am hoping to add some pics there in June! cheers. André

Merci André
Actually not yet finished as I still have to draw few maps and am waiting for pictures…
also your pictures are very welcome !
If you are headed for other volcanoes than just the standard Misti and Chachani, come back to me I know 2 guides who can help you building a « sur mesure » programme.
Suerte companero,
Ario

Hi Ario,
Every info is greatly apprecaited. By the way, as you recently been to Arequipa;
Re the train connection Cusco-Arequipa vv. I've heard rumours that the train no longer
operates (or is temporarely unavailable). Is that really true? Do you know?
cheers. André

Ciao André,
As far as the train, don't know... too expensive for me ! But I have sent an e-mail to 2 people studying tourism in Arequipa! We should be able to find it out soon
As far as climbing, for Misti and Chachani guided ascents are common and services and prices well established. It's not the case for other climbs in the area. An interesting option is to contact a reliable guide, pay him the usual “high altitude” fair 60$ to 70$ (if UIAGM certification completed ?) per day and have him arrange other required services as he knows who's who in town and what costs what. As a back-up you can first quote those 4 organisers above to have some idea of package prices.
I just know 5 of the 20 something recorded mountain guides of Arequipa. You may want to try Richard Saraya Cahmbi ( sacgra(at)gmail(dot)com ). He's a good guide (half UIAGM program completed – has been to Europe) and a good guy - this combination is quite scarce – speaks basic German and, like all the guides down there, basic English. If more interested by a French speaking guide, watch for Fernando Velasquez (try hostalpremier(at)yahoo(dot)com or phone – Peru / Arequipa / 22-78-21), he’s also a scholar and teaches at university level in Lima ! I’m not sure if he’s still into guiding business tough…
An update as far as my first post (up the page) Miguel Zarate of Zarate Expediciones e Hijos (not to be confused with his brother Carlos Zarate of Carlos Zarate Adventures) seems not anymore interested in guiding if not for those clients especially wanting to be guided by the co-discoverer of the mommy “Juanita” - In which case prices are adjusted accordingly . He’s agency is more an ascent retailer now than an ascent organiser like the 4 mentioned above.
If I can help more, don’t hesitate.

Bonjour André,
coming to the train issue... All you want to know is at:
http://www.perurail.com
or
http://www.orient-express.com/web/tper/ ... a_home.jsp
The train links Cuzco and Puno on Titikaka lake.
Puno - Arequipa no longer operates
unless there are more than 40 passengers or someone willing to charter ($$$$$$$$$) a train...
you can always take a bus from Juliaca or Puno to Arequipa !

Ario! Thanks alot! this means we can take a train ride from Cusco to Puna and have a look at the lake! I will definately check out your guide recommendations in A'qipa.
cheers. André

Ario wrote:I'm just back from an ascent of El Misti. Here is the latest update as far as the arrangers and the market:

Great information! I'll be updating the El Misti page soon. Cheers!