- Address: Lauka National Park, Arica-i-Parinacota, Chile;
- Height above sea level: 6,348 m;
- First ascent: 1928;
- Exceedance: 1 989 m;
- The mountain range: Nevados de Payajatas, Andes.
A country like Chile is full of beautiful places and nature reserves, but not less volcanoes are located here. Their presence increases seismic activity, but even more attracts tourists, because during eruptions a stunning landscape was formed. Some volcanoes, like Parinacota, are in the territory of national parks.
Parinacota volcano - description
The volcano is located in the Arica-and-Parinacota area , almost on the border with Bolivia. Its height is 6348 m. To see it with your own eyes, you need to come to Lauka National Park . Places are well known to avid travelers, as together with the neighboring volcano Pomerapa and Lake Chungara Parinacota creates a stunning landscape.
Thanks to the eruption of the volcano, many years ago the lava spread out for many kilometers to the west, overlapping the riverbeds. Thus, the lake of Chungar appeared. The Parinacota volcano is considered to be asleep, since no recent eruptions have been observed. Its top is crowned by an ancient crater with a width of up to 300 m, relatively young lava flows can be found on the western slopes.
History of Parinacota volcano
The first ascent to the summit was made in 1928. There is virtually no tourist who would have come to Lauka National Park and would not have risen to the crater, the trails are fairly simple even for inexperienced climbers.
For those who dared to inspect places for a long period, there is a prepared place at an altitude of 5300 m. Here Parinacota joins Pomerapa, and here an intermediate camp is broken. Those who forgot the equipment, it is enough to walk to the settlement of Sahayama. It is located only 27 km from the volcano.
For an ascension to take place, it is important to obtain a special permit for this. A positive answer can not be obtained due to bad weather. Many tourists purchase a tour of the national parks in Chile , located in the north and one day visit the national park of Lauka, paying enough time and attention to the volcano.
A small nuance, which is worth remembering, is to take sunscreen and glasses with you, as it is also easy to get burns in the mountains, just like on the beach. If the weather is nice, Parinacota is beautiful if you admire it, stopping at its foot, but still more beautiful from the top - to the whole valley. The volcano is visible from a great distance, and near it produces a special impression. The only minus of climbing is a mountain sickness, to which one should be ready.
How to get to the volcano?
In order to see the volcano, you need to get to the Lauka National Park . The starting point for the journey is the capital of the country Santiago . From here you can fly to Arica . Next you will need to follow the bus to the town of Parinacota. Another option is to get from here by car along the CH-11 highway, the distance to the park will be 145 km.