Tours! Where do you want to go?
Trekking in the Colca Canyon
Situated in the department of Arequipa , the Colca valley contains a series of beautiful trekking circuits, which have only recently been discovered for adventure toursim. The area is made up of a practically interminable network of foot-paths, which cover the mountains, joining colonial communities of incredible natural beauty. These places can only be discovered on foot and so only local people, tourists and domestic animals, such as llamas, donkeys, horses and mules, which are used to carry cargo, have access to them. Special points of interest on the route are distinctive eroded stone formations and the abundant local wild flora and fauna, such as the Andean condor. However, the most impressive attraction on the route is the chain of volcanoes and glaciers.
Downhill Chachani – biking tour
A challenging and exhilarating 4 hour downhill mountain bike tour from 4800m into the city of Arequipa (2225m).
Climbing El Misti Volcano
The guardayn volcano of the White City, it is situated inside the Reserva Nacional de Salinas y Aguada Blanca, and its shape is a perfect cone. The terrain is of volcanic sand, with layers of lava in stratified form. The volcano is active and at certain times it emits steam and gases. To climb you need to be in a good physical condition and to be acclimatised.
Climbing Chachani Mountain
A beautiful mountain situated in front of the city of Arequipa , it is an imposing layered volcano formed by 4 peaks which form a chain. It is possible to see its ancient craters covered with snow. In this sector there are several peaks over 5,700m high. It is considered to be the most accessible mountain in the world which is 6,000m high. However it is important to be in a good physical condition and to be acclimatised.
Climbing Ampato Volcano
A beautiful mountain of volcanic origen, it is situated in the Caylloma province, 165 kms from Arequipa . It is a volcano in the shape of a toad, and gets its name from this (hamp´atu is quechua for toad). It is the second highest mountain in the volcanic range and it is very important as in 1995 the frozen body of a young Inca women, sacrificed in honour of the Apu (mountain god) in an Inca ceremony called Kapaccocha, was found at its summit. "Juanita del Ampato" got her name from her discoverer, the german Johan Reinhard.
Volunteering at Elohim School
From Bothy Hostel, we offer the opportunity to volunteer at the school for a day or an afternoon as the children are happy to see new faces and the teachers welcome the help. It is also possible to arrange longer placements.
The aim of Elohim School is to provide a safe place for children living in extreme poverty to learn and eat (breakfast, a snack, and lunch). Currently, there are about 130 children, aged 2 - 14, that attend from 8:30 to 2pm. There is a high level of illiteracy among the parents and many of them are alcoholic and/or unemployed. The children face many problems such as physical, mental and sexual abuse, malnutrition and the dangers of working on the streets at night. The school receives no help from the government and is financed purely by donations. The school welcomes any help a volunteer can provide, in addition to your time, such as food or educational materials.
You can read about one volunteer´s experience here.
