Ojos del Salado
The Highest Volcano On Earth At About 6,893 Metres And The Second Highest Peak In The Western Hemisphere, On The Argentina Chile Border Above The Ruta De Los Seismiles · Fiambala, Catamarca
Ojos del Salado is the highest volcano in the world, at about 6,893 metres, and the second-highest mountain in the western hemisphere after Aconcagua. It rises on the border with Chile in the far west of Catamarca, in the Puna de Atacama, one of the driest and emptiest high places on earth, surrounded by a ring of other volcanoes over six thousand metres that give the road here its name: the Ruta de los Seismiles, the route of the six-thousanders. For mountaineers it is a serious but non-technical expedition, with a short rope section near the top, and it draws climbers from around the world who want the highest volcano or an Aconcagua alternative. For everyone else the experience is the drive up from Fiambala, past huge sand dunes, through the Chaschuil valley and up to lagoons with flamingos and views of the volcanoes from over four thousand metres. Fiambala's hot springs, pools terraced into a mountain gorge, are the reward at the end of the day. Distances are long, services few and the altitude severe.
Ruta Nacional 60, Paso San Francisco, Tinogasta, Catamarca, Fiambala, Catamarca, K5345, Argentina
The climbing season runs roughly from December to March. Ruta 60 to the Paso San Francisco is open most of the year but closes in winter snow. Fiambala's hot springs keep their own hours.