Can I buy food on the Trail?
No. There is nothing. No people, no animals, no houses, no shops. Nothing.
Bring your food from the Supermercados of Arequipa.
What animals will I see?
The mountain is near lifeless. Not even insects are to be found anywhere but the summit.
We were happy to see one mouse at the base camp!
A highlight were the wild vicunas we saw on the drive out from Arequipa.
Coming down to the irrigated farms on the last day felt like entering another world.
Other things to do near Arequipa?
For hikers, the other big treks close are:
In Arequipa do not miss:
- Santa Catalina Monastery <photos>
- Santuarios Andinos museum (ice princess)
Additionally, you could head to Huaraz, in northern Peru. The great hikes there include Alpamayo & Huayhuash.
Many hikers organize other adventures in Cuzco or Arequipa, especially rafting & mountain biking.
The Nazca lines are not far. And many backpackers head to Ica for sand dune boarding.
Lake Titicaca is very convenient from Cuzco, as is travel to La Paz, Bolivia.
Nobody is bored in Peru!
