Uturuncu

Uturuncu is a dormant stratovolcano in Sur Lípez Province that rises to 6,008 meters elevation. The volcano features two main summit peaks and numerous lava domes spread across its slopes.

The volcano formed millions of years ago as part of an active magmatic system in the region. Starting in 1992, scientific monitoring revealed ongoing ground deformation indicating substantial magma movement beneath the surface.

The volcano holds meaning for local communities who have lived in this high-altitude region for generations. People in the area maintain deep connections to the mountainous landscape around it.

A four-wheel-drive vehicle is necessary to reach the volcano, as roads are unpaved gravel and become impassable above 5,760 meters elevation. Visitors should prepare for extreme altitude, harsh weather, and thin air in this remote region.

An abandoned sulfur mine operated near the summit until the 1990s and ranked among the world's highest mines. The site still shows traces of mining activity scattered across the barren high-altitude landscape.

GPS coordinates: -22.26437,-67.18692

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:40