Though Parinacota has not been active in its recent history, it is still considered potentially active, rather than dormant.

BBC: How to climb a South American volcano

Both the Bolivian capital of La Paz, 300km to the north, or Arica on the Chilean coast, 180km to the west, are possible starting points for a Parinacota climb.

BBC: How to climb a South American volcano

Over hundreds of years, earthquakes have rocked the agricultural Arica and Parinacota region, slowly destroying nearly 100 old adobe missions built by Spanish missionaries in the 16th and 17th Centuries.

BBC: Reviving Chile's Andean heritage

Thanks to its strategic location between the Andes, the Atacama Desert and the Pacific Ocean, the Arica and Parinacota region was once the home of three major empires -- Tiwanacu, Inca and Spanish.

BBC: Reviving Chile's Andean heritage

One unpredictable feature of Parinacota is the snow formation known as penitentes, thin, icy spires that can grow several metres tall and can make progress difficult, or even impossible by blocking the usual climbing routes.

BBC: How to climb a South American volcano