Volcanoes in Argentina: where they are and how to visit them

As if glaciers, deserts, jungles, forests, the widest river in the world and the highest mountain in South America weren't enough, Argentina also boasts an impressive chain of volcanoes.

These giants define the landscape of the Andes Mountains and the Puna plateau, sparking the curiosity of travelers passionate about geology and extreme nature. However, when planning a volcanic tourism trip, frequent questions arise: how many volcanoes are there in Argentina , which ones can be climbed, and is it safe to approach them?

In this article, we review the list of the most accessible volcanoes in Argentina for tourism, analyze their activity levels, and detail the distances from the nearest base cities to help you plan your visit safely and reliably. In our catalog of travel packages to Argentina, you'll find the best options for accommodation, transfers, and excursions in volcanic areas.

How many volcanoes are there in Argentina, active and inactive?

According to the Argentine Volcanic Monitoring Observatory (OAVV) of the Argentine Geological and Mining Service (SEGEMAR), determining the exact number of volcanoes in the country is complex due to its vast territory and the different geological definitions. However, the official record indicates that there are 38 active volcanoes in Argentina .

To this figure must be added hundreds of craters and calderas that make up the inactive volcanoes in Argentina , distributed along the entire mountain range, from Jujuy to Tierra del Fuego.

Active, inactive and extinct: what does each category mean?

To understand the level of risk and tourism viability, it is essential to understand the scientific classification:

• Active volcano: This is one that has had at least one eruption in the last 10,000 years (Holocene) or that shows current signs of activity, such as fumaroles, ground deformation or recurrent seismicity.
• An inactive (or dormant) volcano is one that has not registered eruptions in recent historical times, but whose magma chamber still has thermodynamic potential, so it could reactivate in the future. For example, there are several inactive volcanoes in San Juan, Argentina , such as Cerro Tórtolas, which are popular for high-altitude mountaineering.
• Extinct volcano: It has completely lost its magma supply and has no physical possibility of erupting again. Many hills in the frontal range are, in fact, eroded remnants of extinct volcanoes.

What volcanoes are there in Argentina and where are they located?

Argentina's volcanoes are scattered along almost the entire western border of the country. Below, we detail four of the most emblematic volcanic complexes , surrounded by tourist infrastructure, and explain how to get to them.

Copahue Volcano (Neuquén)

Copahue (2,997 m above sea level) is located on the border with Chile, in the northwest of Neuquén province . According to SEGEMAR, it is considered the highest-risk volcano in the country due to the proximity of populated areas to its crater and its history of recent eruptions (the last one in 2012). However, it is constantly monitored (currently at green alert level), which allows for safe tourism.

The base town is Caviahue , located 360 kilometers from the city of Neuquén. The journey by car is made along National Routes 22 and 40, then connecting with Provincial Routes 21 and 26 (both fully paved). The trip takes about four and a half hours.

In winter, the Caviahue ski resort and the Copahue thermal baths come alive. The town of Copahue boasts hotels with top-notch service and sulfur hot springs with healing properties . The season runs from December to April, because between May and November, the heavy snowfall forces everything to close.

The main attraction of this volcano is its geothermal activity. Just 18 kilometers from Caviahue lies the Copahue Thermal Village , a spa resort where the sulfurous waters, mud, and vapors emanating from the volcano are used for therapeutic purposes. In summer, the guided trek to the volcano's crater—which contains a steaming, acidic lagoon—is one of the most fascinating adventure excursions in Patagonia.

Lanín Volcano (Neuquén)

Lanín (3,776 m above sea level) is the undisputed icon of the Neuquén province. Its distinctive, perfectly conical shape, crowned by glaciers, dominates the national park of the same name. SEGEMAR categorizes it as an active volcano, although it has not registered any eruptions for about 1,500 years, and its current alert level is green.

The main towns for visiting the volcano are San Martín de los Andes and Junín de los Andes. From San Martín de los Andes, the base of the volcano (Tromen section) is 105 kilometers away. Access is via National Route 40 to Junín de los Andes, then Provincial Route 60 (gravel in its final stretch) to the Mamuil Malal border crossing. The drive takes almost two hours.

The best panoramic view of the Lanín volcano is from the tour along Lake Huechulafquen . This route from San Martín de Los Andes to Junín de Los Andes includes a visit to the city before arriving at the banks of the Chimehuin River. From there, Lanín rises like nowhere else in Patagonia.

Llullaillaco Volcano (Salta)

Located at the western edge of the Puna region of Salta province, on the border with Chile, Llullaillaco (6,739 m above sea level) is a mecca for elite expeditions and archaeologists . Access is extremely challenging. From the city of Salta, it is approximately a 500-kilometer journey in 4x4 vehicles, passing through San Antonio de los Cobres, the Arizaro Salt Flat, and the town of Tolar Grande via Provincial Route 27 and old mining tracks. The journey can take up to two days due to the lack of well-maintained roads and the extreme altitude.

Llullaillaco is world-famous for its archaeological significance. In 1999, near its dormant crater, the freeze-dried remains of three Inca children (the "Children of Llullaillaco") were discovered, offered as sacrifices more than 500 years ago in the Capacocha ritual . If you're not trained to climb this giant of the Puna, you can learn about its history by visiting the Museum of High Altitude Archaeology (MAAM) in the city of Salta, where the findings are on display.

Planchón-Peteroa Volcano (Mendoza)

In southern Mendoza, in the Malargüe department, rises the Planchón-Peteroa volcanic complex (4,107 m above sea level) . It is an active system that features permanent fumaroles and acidic lagoons in its craters.

The city of Malargüe is the nearest logistics center. From Mendoza, the capital of Mendoza, to Malargüe is 330 kilometers along National Route 40 (about a 4-hour drive). To reach the volcano, you can take Provincial Route 145 towards the Pehuenche Pass (fully paved) or access it via 4x4 expeditions and guided horseback riding tours through the Andean valleys.

A few kilometers from this area lies the Las Leñas ski resort , and another unmissable geological attraction for family tourism: the Malacara volcano in Mendoza, Argentina . This extinct volcano can be accessed by hiking through its gullies (narrow canyons formed by water erosion of volcanic ash), offering an immersive experience of low difficulty.

Volcanic tourism in Argentina: expeditions to the Puna

If you're looking for a comprehensive experience that combines volcanology, surreal landscapes, and indigenous culture, Northwest Argentina (NOA) offers the most breathtaking scenery. Did you know that the province of Catamarca has the highest density of volcanoes in the world?

To explore this region safely and in an organized way, the Antofagasta de la Sierra: Volcanoes, Pumice Stone Fields, and Salt Flats package is the perfect itinerary. This 4-day, 3-night program ventures into the Catamarca Puna aboard 4x4 vehicles . The tour is based in the remote village of Antofagasta de la Sierra. From there, the itinerary focuses on extreme volcanism:

• Galán Volcano: Visit the world's largest volcanic caldera (45 x 24 kilometers). Inside, the landscape is lunar and home to Laguna Diamante, a hyperalkaline body of water inhabited by extremophiles and pink flamingos.
• Antofagasta and Alumbrera Volcanoes: The tour explores the base of these immense black scoria cones that rise imposingly a few kilometers from the town.
• Pumice Stone Field: The journey culminates in an expanse of 75,000 hectares of white, porous volcanic rock, sculpted by the winds of the Puna for millennia after the colossal eruption of the nearby Blanco volcano.

Is it safe to visit areas near active volcanoes?

Hiking on the slopes of an active volcano in Argentina is a safe tourist activity, provided that prevention protocols are respected. Tourist towns located in areas of volcanic influence (such as Caviahue or Malargüe) coexist harmoniously with their environment and have structural contingency plans in place.

Safety relies on real-time scientific monitoring. The Argentine Volcanic Monitoring Observatory (OAVV) operates networks of seismographs, thermal cameras, and satellite deformation sensors at the country's main craters.