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Chiles Volcano

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Mountain
—°5
Chiles Volcano (Colombia)

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Chiles Volcano is a majestic stratovolcano located on the border between Colombia and Ecuador. It reaches an elevation of 4,723 meters and, together with the neighboring Cerro Negro de Mayasquer, forms a massive volcanic complex. Although Chiles has not had a major eruption in at least 160,000 years, it has recently shown a significant increase in seismic activity, prompting scientists from both countries to collaborate closely. The summit region is often snow-capped or shrouded in dense fog, reflecting the harsh climate of the high Andes. The surrounding páramo landscapes are famous for their frailejones populations and serve as a critical watershed for the region. For the indigenous peoples of the area, Chiles is a spiritual site with deep cultural significance. Due to current geological unrest, access to the summit is often restricted for safety reasons.

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Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C181818181818181818181818
Rain mm9594117133100563623368010395

📋 Practical info

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Getting there
Approaching this twin volcanic system is typically done from the high-altitude border towns shared between Colombia and Ecuador.
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Best season
The drier Andean seasons are highly preferable to avoid the heavy, persistent rains that can make mountain trails impassable.
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Terrain & paths
Expect a challenging high-alpine paramo terrain and exposed volcanic ridges, which frequently lack clear trail markings.
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What to bring
Comprehensive high-altitude trekking gear, completely waterproof layers, and navigational tools are absolutely essential for this border region.
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Parking
Vehicles are generally left safely in the nearest established base villages on either the Colombian or Ecuadorian side.
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Safety
Extreme cold, altitude sickness, and the general lack of marked paths present substantial risks throughout this massive mountain complex.
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Time needed
A standard ascent is an extremely exhausting full-day endeavor; combining it with Cerro Negro requires a multi-day expedition.

Geography

Coordinates
0.82000, -77.93000

Facts

  • The official summit elevation of Chiles is 4,723 meters.
  • The volcano is located exactly on the international border with Ecuador.
  • Over 100,000 small earthquakes have been recorded since 2013.
  • Chiles does not possess a clearly visible summit crater.
  • The last major magmatic activity occurred over 160,000 years ago.
  • It forms a twin system with the Cerro Negro de Mayasquer volcano.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

El Ángel Ecological ReserveEl Ángel Ecological Reserve4 km · SExplore →
Cumbal VolcanoCumbal Volcano16 km · NEExplore →
TulcánTulcán24 km · EExplore →
San GabrielSan Gabriel28 km · SEExplore →
Azufral VolcanoAzufral Volcano30 km · NExplore →
IpialesIpiales32 km · EExplore →
Las Lajas SanctuaryLas Lajas Sanctuary38 km · EExplore →
Awá RainforestAwá Rainforest49 km · NWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Chiles Volcano (5)

Aguas Hediondas📍 landmark

Natural thermal baths near the Chiles volcano famous for their pungent sulfurous waters.

Museo Arqueológico Manaquer🏛 museum

A museum in Tufiño displaying pre-Columbian artifacts from the indigenous Pasto culture.

IGLESIA DE TUFIÑO📍 landmark

The main Catholic church in the border town of Tufiño, serving as a focal point for the community.

Iglesia📍 landmark

A simple Catholic place of worship serving the high-altitude community of Tufiño.

Las Aguas Hediondas🎡 recreation

Public thermal baths fed by the natural volcanic springs of the Chiles volcano.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Where is Vulkan Chiles located?
Right on the border between Colombia and Ecuador.
Is it part of a volcanic complex?
Yes, it forms a unit together with the Cerro Negro volcano.
What vegetation dominates there?
Typical páramo vegetation with frailejones.
How high is it?
It is about 4723m high.
Is there volcanic monitoring?
Yes, it is constantly monitored due to seismic activity.
Chiles Volcano: where is it located?
Chiles Volcano is located in Colombia.
Chiles Volcano: what is there to see?
Highlights include Aguas Hediondas, Museo Arqueológico Manaquer, IGLESIA DE TUFIÑO.
Chiles Volcano: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul, Sep.
Chiles Volcano: why is it worth visiting?
Chiles Volcano is a majestic stratovolcano located on the border between Colombia and Ecuador.
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Nearby cities

Pasto — Chiles Volcano (Colombia)
Pasto
High-altitude city in the south, famous for its carnival.
🗺️
Ipiales
Border city with Ecuador, famous for the Las Lajas Sanctuary.
Tulcán — Chiles Volcano (Colombia)
Tulcán
The northernmost city in Ecuador on the border with Colombia, known for its unique cemetery.
San Gabriel — Chiles Volcano (Colombia)
San Gabriel
A historic city in the Carchi province, forming part of Ecuador's National Cultural Heritage.
Ibarra — Chiles Volcano (Colombia)
Ibarra
The white city is appreciated for its colonial white facades and pleasant climate.
🗺️
Atuntaqui
The textile capital of Ecuador, where craftsmanship and industry meet.
Cotacachi — Chiles Volcano (Colombia)
Cotacachi
A peaceful Andean town globally famous for its fine leather goods and stunning crater lake.
Otavalo — Chiles Volcano (Colombia)
Otavalo
The indigenous capital of Ecuador, known worldwide for its colorful craft market.

History & landmarks

Las Lajas Sanctuary — Chiles Volcano (Colombia)
Las Lajas Sanctuary
Las Lajas Sanctuary is a spectacular neo-Gothic basilica built inside the canyon of the Guáitara River.

Nature

La Cocha Lagoon — Chiles Volcano (Colombia)
La Cocha Lagoon
A large volcanic lake in southern Colombia, surrounded by páramo landscape.
Yahuarcocha — Chiles Volcano (Colombia)
Yahuarcocha
Yahuarcocha is a historically significant lake surrounded by legends of a great battle, now featuring a famous auto racing track.
Lake San Pablo — Chiles Volcano (Colombia)
Lake San Pablo
Lake San Pablo is Ecuador's largest lake, situated at the foot of the majestic Imbabura Volcano near Otavalo.
Cuicocha Lake — Chiles Volcano (Colombia)
Cuicocha Lake
Cuicocha is a stunning crater lake at the foot of the Cotacachi Volcano, featuring two small islands in its center.

More places

Cumbal Volcano — Chiles Volcano (Colombia)
Cumbal Volcano
The Cumbal Volcano is the highest peak in southern Colombia and an active stratovolcano near the border with Ecuador.
Azufral Volcano — Chiles Volcano (Colombia)
Azufral Volcano
The Azufral is a semi-dormant volcano in southern Colombia, known for the green Laguna Verde in its crater.
Las Lajas Sanctuary — Chiles Volcano (Colombia)
Las Lajas Sanctuary
An impressive neo-Gothic church dramatically built inside the canyon of the Guáitara River.
Galeras Volcano — Chiles Volcano (Colombia)
Galeras Volcano
One of Colombia's most active volcanoes, located very close to the city of Pasto.
Doña Juana Volcano — Chiles Volcano (Colombia)
Doña Juana Volcano
The Doña Juana Volcano is an explosive stratovolcano in the Colombian Massif, surrounded by dense cloud forest.
Port of Tumaco — Chiles Volcano (Colombia)
Port of Tumaco
An important Pacific port in southern Colombia, relevant for the oil industry and local fishing.
🗺️
El Ángel Ecological Reserve
A unique páramo ecosystem dominated by giant Espeletia plants and protecting rare animals.
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Awá Rainforest
A dense tropical forest in northwestern Ecuador serving as an important sanctuary for the indigenous Awá people.