Parinacota

Height: 6,342 m
Countries:
Chile flagChileBolivia flagBolivia
Parinacota, a captivating peak in the Andes, invites climbers on a mesmerizing ascent through high-altitude deserts and snow-covered slopes, promising an extraordinary journey amidst the stunning landscapes of the Chilean wilderness. What makes this climb truly enticing is the chance to summit a dormant volcano, immersing oneself in the untouched beauty of the region while experiencing the unique blend of technical challenge and the serene allure of South American mountaineering, creating an unforgettable adventure for those drawn to the raw majesty of the Andes.
Prepare for an adventure climbing Parinacota. This overview provides essential details on routes, difficulty, costs, and the best times to go, helping you plan a successful expedition.

Difficulty

  • F: Easy (alpine grade 1)

When to go

  • December to February
  • May to October

These are pictures taken while climbing Parinacota. They're shown here to give you an idea of what the route is like. You're welcome to share your own pictures of mountaineering Parinacota, to help the community of climbers. Picture here are either uploaded by members (there own, or creative commons pictures), or guides.

Guide links

These guides offer organised mountaineering expeditions for Parinacota. From here you can check each guides profile, or browse directly to their website to see the trip. You can separately view the guides directory to browse all guides in one place.
Below is a curated list of independent mountain guides offering expeditions for Parinacota. Each guide provides their own experience, allowing climbers to select the approach that best suits their style, budget, and experience level. You can explore each guide’s dedicated trip page to review what they offer, from logistics and support to pricing details, with no additional influence from us.
GuideInfoCost
Inca Land Toursview guides trip webpage from $580
Bolivian Mountaineeringview guides trip webpage from $625
SOUTH TREKSview guides trip webpage from $780
Grupo Alpamayo Tours logoGrupo Alpamayo Toursview guides trip webpage from $1,550
Spondylus Emotion & Experienceview guides trip webpage from $2,390
Explore the 3D route map for a realistic view of the ascent to Parinacota. This interactive map provides a close-up look at key points like base camp and high-altitude camps along the way. For those planning their own expeditions, it offers a helpful overview of the mountain's terrain and surroundings.

If climbing from Bolivia, most will take a ride straight from Sajama village to the trail head / refuge and start their ascent. Alternatively walk (or drive) in and stay the night there first for more acclimatisation. There is also a space to camp at ~4850m (but ultimately you can camp anywhere - this spot is just used as it's about as far as some vehicles want to go).

Get inspired by these incredible videos capturing the experience of climbing Parinacota. From route highlights to summitsummit views, these clips showcase the mountain’s beauty and the challenges it presents. Have your own Parinacota video? We'd love for you to share it with the community to inspire future climbers.

What you can see from the summit of Parinacota. Click and pan around the map to explore, and zoom in/out to see the names of neighbouring mountains.


Parinacota Links

useful websites, Groups and communities

Groups / links with more info on the Parinacota route.