Guallatiri

Guallatiri is an active stratovolcano in northern Chile’s Arica y Parinacota Region, located in the high Andes near the border with Bolivia.

The volcano reaches alpine elevations above 6,000 meters and is notable for fumarolic activity and hot-ground areas rather than frequent large explosive eruptions. The high-altitude landscape is volcanic and barren, attracting volcanologists and experienced high-altitude hikers rather than casual tourists.

Guallatiri is part of the Central Volcanic Zone and has produced lava flows and dome-building eruptions in the geologic past; it also shows ongoing fumarolic and hydrothermal activity in recent times. Scientific monitoring focuses on gas emissions and ground temperature changes because of the volcano’s persistent fumaroles.

The volcano sits in the high Andes of Arica y Parinacota Region, northern Chile, in a remote area close to the international border with Bolivia.

• Altitude: Rises to just over 6,000 meters above sea level, so trips require high-altitude planning and acclimatization.
• Setting: Part of the Central Volcanic Zone of the Andes and situated close to the Chile-Bolivia border in a remote high-Andean landscape.

What to See#

• Summit crater: The summit crater and immediate rim, from which fumarolic gases and steam are commonly emitted.
• Fumarolic fields: Fumarolic and hydrothermal fields on the volcano’s flanks that indicate ongoing geothermal activity.

• Plan climbs from Putre and allow days to acclimatize in the Lauca/Arica highlands before attempting high altitudes around Guallatiri.
• Arrange a local guide and check permit requirements with Chilean park authorities (CONAF) or a licensed guide-Guallatiri is remote and conditions change quickly.
• Aim for the dry season (typically the austral winter months, roughly May-September) for more stable weather and visibility; roads and access are often much worse in summer storms.