Peru Guide
Around Arequipa
The Valley of the Volcanoes
Following some 65km of the Río Andaguás course, the Valley skirts along the non-active volcano Coropuna, the highest in Peru (6425m). At first sight just a pleasant Andean valley, the Valley of the Volcanoes (Valle de los Volcanoes) is in fact one of the strangest geological formations you're ever likely to see. A stunning lunar landscape, the valley is studded with extinct craters varying in size and height from 200 to 300m. About 200,000 years ago, these small volcanoes erupted when the lava fields were degassed, a result of one of Coropuna's major eruptions.
The main section of the valley is about 65km long; to explore it in any detail you'll need to get maps (two adjacent ones are required) from the South American Explorers' Club or the Instituto Geográfico in Lima, or from the Instituto de Cultura in Arequipa. As well as a tent – or a sheet of plastic and a good sleeping bag if you're feeling adventurous – you'll need good supplies, especially water and a sunhat; the sun beating down on the black ash can get unbelievably hot at midday.
The best overall view of the valley can be had from Anaro Mountain (4800m), looking southeast towards the Chipchane and Puca Maura cones. The highest of the volcanoes, known as Los Gemelos (The Twins), are about 10km from Andagua. To the south, the Andomarca volcano has a pre-Inca ruined settlement around its base.