Atacama Volcanoes

December 2022 – I had twelve days in Atacama de Chile, one of the driest places on earth, to climb volcanoes. I stayed in San Pedro de Atacama throughout my trip. I both planed to and managed to climb five volcanoes, but due to unstable weather and some boarder tension with Bolivia, the five volcanoes climbed differed somewhat from the five I had planed.

My plan was to climb Volcán Lascar (5,592 meters / 18,346 feet), Volcán Juriques (5,704 meters / 18,714 feet), Volcán Aguas Calientes (5,924 meters / 19,436 feet), Volcán Sairecabur (5,972 meters / 19,590 feet) and finally Volcán Acamarachi also known as Pili (6,046 meters / 19,836 feet).

I ended up climbing Volcán Soquete (5,400 meters), Volcán Lascar (5,592 meters / 18,346 feet), Volcán Sairecabur (5,972 meters / 19,590 feet), Volcán Saciel (5,700 meters / 18,701 feet) and Volcán Aguas Calientes (5,924 meters / 19,436 feet). I needed three attempts on Volcán Aguas Calientes before reaching the top, on the first attempt we had to return due to a snowstorm, and on the second attempt we had to turn around due to sudden and very close thunderstorm. On both failed attempts we reached approximately 300 meters from the top.

I will here give a big thank to Lautaro Bustamante from CHUCARO Turismo Aventura for all the support throughout the trip. He was my driver and guide for all the climbs, he came with his very well equipped 4×4 capable for reaching the volcanoes, and he served the most delicious outdoor breakfast prior to every climb. Seven days of full service for a very reasonable price. I highly recommend Lautaro and his company if you are in for a similar adventure.

I will for sure be back. My goal was to climb my first 6,000+ meter summit, but the weather didn’t make this possible. I would love to come back and climb Volcán Lascar (for acclimatization), Volcán Acamarachi (6,046 meters / 19,836 feet), Volcán San Pablo (6,110 meters / 20,050 feet), Volcán San Pedro (6,155 meters / 20,194 feet) and Volcán Llullaillaco (6,739 meters / 22,110 feet).

Day One – My first day of acclimatization. I hiked Cañon de Guatín with its beautiful cacti. Drove all the way to El Tatio Geysers. And finally hiked a level 10 kilometer dirt road at 4,500 meters.

Day two – My first acclimatization climb, my guide had chosen Volcán Soquete for this purpuse. We started out near some really nice hot springs at 4,500 meters and reached the top at 5,400 meters three hours later. Volcán Soquete is not far from El Tatio Geysers.

Day three – My third acclimatization day, I did a full day drive on my own south from San Pedro de Atacama via road 23, then east via road B-357 all the way to its end near road 23 close to the Argentinean boarder. Did some hiking at 4,500 meters above sea level, especially around the Cerro Overo Crater.

Day Four – I climbed 5,592 meter / 18,346 feed Volcán Lascar, the mighty volcano with 6 craters on its top.

Day Five – First attempt on 5,924 meter / 19,436 feet Volcán Aguas Calientes. We reached within 300 meters from the top when a sudden snowstorm started to engulf the mountain.

Day Six – Rest day, stayed in San Pedro for coffee and beers 🙂

Day Seven – Climbed 5,971 meter / 19,590 feet Volcán Sairecabur, the summit is right on the border to Bolivia.

Day Eight – Rest day with a drive on my own to the Argentinean border via route 27. This is a full day trip fourth and back with beautiful views all the way.

Day Nine – Second attempt on 5,924 meter / 19,436 feet Volcán Aguas Calientes. We again reached within 300 meters from the top when a really close thunderstorm passed by.

Day Ten – Climbed 5,700 meters / 18,701 feet Volcán Saciel, this is a rather easy climb but very difficult drive. The climb is only around 500 meters up from the trail head at around 5,200 meters above sea level. And not too steep either. On this hike my guides girlfriend joined in.

Day Elleven – I finally reached the summit of 5,924 meter / 19,436 feet Volcán Aguas Calientes. We still had some snow fall and also a few thunders very far away. My guide was tired, so I climbed with one of his collogues.

Day Twelve – Final rest day before returning to Denmark, and an unexpected view of Volcán Lascar with its first eruption in seven years. This photo is taken from the gas station in San Pedro de Atacama.