Plizio Visual Lab

Ubinas Volcano

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Mountain

Weather…

Ubinas is recognized as Peru's most active volcano, located in the Moquegua Region of the southern Andes. Standing at 5,672 meters, it is a stratovolcano characterized by a truncated cone and a massive 1.4-kilometer-wide summit caldera. Historically, it has recorded over 24 eruptive periods since 1550, with its activity typically involving phreatomagmatic explosions and significant ash emissions. Recent major eruptive cycles in 2006, 2013-2017, and 2019 led to the declaration of states of emergency and the mandatory relocation of several nearby communities. The ash plumes from Ubinas can rise several kilometers into the atmosphere, impacting air quality and agriculture across southern Peru and even parts of Bolivia. Continuous monitoring by the Geophysical Institute of Peru tracks its seismic activity and gas emissions to provide early warnings to the vulnerable local population.

Location: Peru
Top sights: Pukara · Huitoni · Parwayuni
Nearby: Moquegua (31 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Oct, Nov.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	12	12	12	11	10	10	9	10	11	12	12	12
Rain mm	35	47	25	6	2	0	2	1	3	7	4	16

📋 Practical info

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Getting there

The volcano is located in the Moquegua region and is best accessed from Arequipa, often involving a multi-hour drive on unpaved roads. Private transport or organized expeditions are the most common ways to reach the base camp area.

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Best season

The best time for an ascent is the dry season from May to September, when skies are clear and visibility is at its best. During the rainy season, roads can be washed out, and clouds often obscure the summit and crater views.

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Terrain & paths

The terrain is high-alpine and volcanic, featuring steep slopes composed of loose scree and volcanic ash. The thin air at this altitude of over 5,000 meters presents a significant physical challenge for any mountaineer.

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What to bring

Full mountaineering gear, including warm layered clothing and sturdy mountain boots, is mandatory for the climb. Respiratory protection against volcanic ash and gases may be necessary depending on the current activity levels.

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Parking

There are no official parking lots; vehicles are usually left at the end of the motorable tracks near the start of the ascent. Drivers typically stay with the vehicles while climbers attempt to reach the summit.

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Safety

As Ubinas is Peru's most active volcano, current reports from the geophysical institute must be checked before departure. Altitude sickness is a serious risk; sufficient acclimatization in Arequipa is strongly recommended.

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Time needed

An expedition typically lasts two days, including an overnight stay at base camp to reach the summit by sunrise. The actual hiking time to the crater rim is approximately six to eight hours, depending on fitness and weather.