Mountaineering / Summits in May

Arequipa sits at 2,335m beneath three volcanoes: El Misti (5,822m), Chachani (6,057m), and Pichu Pichu (5,664m). Chachani is widely regarded as one of the most accessible 6,000m peaks in the world: no technical skills required, well-established route, a genuine high-altitude summit that most fit people with 2-3 days of acclimatization can reach. For climbers who want to break the 6,000m barrier without committing to a three-week expedition, this is the right objective. El Misti involves more scrambling and a two-day approach. The city itself is one of Peru's most compelling, built from white volcanic stone with a UNESCO World Heritage colonial centre.

Kathmandu is the staging point for most Himalayan mountaineering. For those stepping into high-altitude climbing for the first time, Island Peak (6,189m) above the Khumbu is one of the most logical first objectives in the world: it requires crampon and fixed-rope technique but is achievable for fit, well-prepared climbers without prior summit experience. Mera Peak (6,476m) is less technical and slightly higher. Both sit above the Everest Base Camp trail, so the approach combines a trekking peak summit with one of the great Himalayan walks. Kathmandu itself rewards extra days: Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, the Durbar Squares.