Cerro Toco Tickets and Tours

Ascent to the extinct Cerro Toco Volcano at 5600 meters high

Cerro Toco summit

It was very windy near the top but the guides were careful about safety.

Hiking Cerro Toco

Great views from the top and helpful guidance getting there

My son and I wanted to challenge ourselves to h high altitude hike while in San Pedro. Gary was really helpful in giving us guidance and setting a pace that meant we didn’t have any altitude sickness issues. The view from the top of Cerro Toco is fantastic- across to the surrounding volcanoes and Laguna Blanca and verde in Bolivia. The walk itself would be easy at low altitude but going up to 5600m having a guide is a must.

Cerro Toco (Volcano) 5,604 m.a.s.l.

Indescribable

After a few days in San Pedro de Atacama and faced various altitudes of up to 4400 m, departed for the climb of Cerro Toco. The group was small. The guide, me and a couple from Paraná. The climb is much more difficult than stated in the various publications and videos that I followed before the trip. Drink plenty of water, that's very important. Proper clothing is essential. I rented the pants and jacket there in San Pedro. It was the best thing, because the clothes I took would be insufficient. I bought trail bars, but left in Brazil, when I found out that I could only carry in the checked luggage. As I just took a bag on board, I left it at home. In my case, the guide provided the bars for everyone in the group, as well as a bar of cereals, a banana and juice. Regarding the rise, the track is safe, but challenging. Rare air, strong winds and intense cold, judge quite early in the beginning. After all, we have already started the climb near the 5200 m altitude. Just as a comparison, the northern base field 1 of the Everest, is 5150 m high. It's not a joke. The view from the summit is indescribable, from where you can see some of the white and green lagoons, already in Bolivia, the volcano Licancabur and its headless brother, the Juriques. The feeling of overcoming its limits, challenging the rarefied air, intense cold and strong winds is unforgettable. My next challenge will be to climb the Lascar volcano, which is active and from where you can see the crater. Recently, the rise of Lascar is banned due to current volcanic activity. If you are in doubt if you will succeed, take the salaries route (where you will face altitudes of up to 4800 m during the ride and will be the closest to reach the altitude of 5604 m from cerro toco). So if you have the opportunity and will, don't be in doubt. Seize your limits, even if it is not to succeed. But try! Don't do what you can. Always do your best.