Photos

This is a view of the Nevado de Incahuasi volcano taken from Termas de La Gruta (La Gruta spring) at the northern edge of Salar de San Francisco (San Francisco Salt pan). The picture was taken looking southwest. The Incahuasi lays on the border between Argentina and Chile, in the southernmost part of the Puna de Atacama. With its 6621 meters above sea level (21722ft), it is one of the highest peaks of the Andes Range and one of the world’s highest volcanoes. The region contains a high concentration of mountains with heights of more than 6000 meters above sea level. This gorup is called “Los Seis Miles” (“The six-thousands”). The peak behind the Incahuasi’s right is the Nevado El Fraile (6061m, 19885ft). North of the Incahuasi (not in the picture) is the San Francisco volcano (6018m, 19744ft) and Paso de San Francisco (San Francisco Pass) which is an international border pass connecting Argentina’s Route 60 with Chile’s Route 31 at 4726 meters above sea level. The Salar de San Francisco (Catamarca province, Argentina) is around 4000m above sea level. Termas de La Gruta is a natural spring of warm water, around 19km from the Incahuasi’s summit. Gendarmeria Nacional (Argentine border police) maintains the site and has built a small shelter with a pool inside, so people can actually bath in the spring water. Inka ruins are found in the area too.