Hiked this with Weiki tours on August 6-7 2017 as a solo female. I was put in a group with 2 guides and 8 other people (only one other female) and I booked through Mb backpackers hostel for about $110 USD. We left at 8am, drove to the 5000m trailhead then hiked to our base camp located at 5200m elevation. Weiki provides sleeping bags, tent and snow pant/jacket/glove rentals and you can rent hiking poles and a headlamp for an extra 30 sol altogether. Hiking boots are also available for rent. We hung out at base camp, had a meal then went to bed at 6pm. Woke up at 1 and started hiking around 2, and summited around 6:45am. This hike was amazing but I really felt the altitude and the cold at around 5600m. I kept going but it was NOT easy - quite hard to breathe and I started getting really cold hands - the guides said some women can’t make it past a certain point due to cold in extreme ties (a female circulation thing). I wore a thin pair of gloves under my ski gloves but would recommend at least 1 more thick pair under - you need them! The summit was amazing and well worth it. Was absolutely exhausted on the way down but was quick to ascend! Don’t attempt this hike if you haven’t been at at least Arequipa’s elevation for 2 days before this hike - everyone in our group summited but we had two people throwing up and really slowed down because of the altitude!

I did this climb in 1 day. We left around midnight from Arequipa to drive to the starting point a few hours away. We walked about an hour before we reached base camp to have breakfast. Then we hiked to the top, stayed for a brief 10 minutes, and made our way back to the jeep by early afternoon. My guide's name is Victor Hugo Gonzales Gonzales, and he was very attentive to me and the other two guys hiking that day. At breakfast, he was very friendly and made me feel comfortable. Before the hike he informed us about what to expect and that we should keep a slow, steady pace. I think he sat a good pace for our group. During the hike he continuously checked on us. He gave me a couple of glucose tablets around 5800 meters for quick energy. Victor has many years of experience hiking and mountaineering in Peru. I recommend going with him. As for the hike itself, definitely make sure you are acclimatized. Everyone is different and each day can be different as well. I have been in high altitude a lot and have responded differently on each hike. Normally I get a headache in the middle of my forehead, but this day I was pretty lethargic. I think it would be better to camp at base camp and then hike the following day. I am glad I did this hike; it was a great goal to accomplish. It was difficult only because of the altitude. It was not technical.