Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 22-2052;
www.aitraveltours.com
; Santa Catalina 203)
Owner Miguel Fernández of-
fers some unique tours including a popular Reality Tour (from S40 per person depending
on group size) which visits a poor Arequipan neighborhood of stonemakers. A large part
of your fee goes to the local workers' coops.
Tours Class Arequipa
(
www.toursclassarequipa.com.pe
;
Portal de San Agustín 103, Plaza de Armas)
This open-
top bus tour (two/four hours S35/45) is actually a handy way of seeing some of Are-
quipa's outer sights. The Campiña (countryside) tour includes stops at Cayma, Yanahuara
and the Mansión del Fundadaor.
BUS TOUR
Hiking & Mountaineering
Carlos Zárate Adventures
( 20-2461;
www.zarateadventures.com
;
Santa Catalina 204)
This company was foun-
ded in 1954 by Carlos Zárate, the great-grandfather of climbing in Arequipa. One of his
sons, Miguel, was responsible, along with archaeologists for unearthing Juanita 'the Ice
Maiden' atop Mt Ampato in 1995. Another son, Carlos Zárate Flores, also an experienced
guide, runs this highly professional outfit. Zárate's guides generally speak Spanish or
English, but are available in French when prearranged. The company offers all manner of
treks, and climbs all the local peaks with prices varying depending on group size and
method of transportation; they charge around S250 per person for a group of four to climb
El Misti, and S365 for a three-day trek in the Cañón del Colca with private transport.
They also rent all kinds of gear to independent climbers and hikers including ice axes,
crampons and hiking boots.
TREKKING, ADVENTURE
Colca Trek
( 20-6217, 9-60-0170;
www.colcatrek.com.pe
; Jerusalén 401-B)
Colca Trek is an eco-
conscious adventure-tour agency and shop run by the knowledgeable, English-speaking
Vlado Soto. In addition to trekking tours, it organizes mountaineering, mountain-biking
and river-running trips; and it is one of the few shops selling decent topographical maps of
the area. It is a venerable source of information for those hoping to explore the area on
their own. Be careful of copycat travel agencies that use the Colca Trek name and/or web
addresses that are similar to the agency's official site.
TREKKING, ADVENTURE
