If you‘ve ever been curious about climbing the Volcanic Seven Summits and wondered where these mountains are and how hard they are to climb, here is our guide to the Volcanic 7 summits.
Mount Kilimanjaro – Highest Volcano in Africa
Mt Kilimanjaro is located in the northern part of the United Republic of Tanzania straddling the country’s border with Kenya. It is the highest mountain in Africa and at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) it is the tallest freestanding mountain in the world.
Kilimanjaro takes between 5 to 8 days to climb successfully depending on which route you take. Between January and March and June thru October, the weather is mostly dry and is the best time for climbing.
Learn more about our upcoming Kilimanjaro Expeditions.
Mount Elbrus – The highest Volcano in Europe
Mount Elbrus is the highest peak in Europe and both one of the Seven Volcanic Summits and Seven Summits. It stands at 5,642 meters (18,510 feet) above sea level and is located in the Caucasus Mountains in Russia.
To climb this mountain successfully you can either approach the summit from the North or the South. The easer of the two is the southern route. Although this mountain is not difficult, it does require the use of equipment like crampons and ice axes.
Learn more about our upcoming Mt Elbrus Expeditions.
Mount Damavand – The highest Volcano in Asia
Mount Damavand is the highest peak in Iran, located in the Alborz mountain range, and it is also the highest volcano in Asia. It stands at 5,671 meters (18,606 feet) and is a popular destination for hikers and mountaineers.
It takes about two to three days to travel from the Polour settlement to the summit and back and the ideal climbing season is from June through September. Crampons, an ice axe, and adequate clothing for the cold climate are among the necessary supplies that climbers will need.
Learn more about our upcoming Mt Damavand Expeditions.
Ojos De Salado – The highest Volcano in South America
At 6,891 meters (22,608 feet), Ojos del Salado is the highest volcano in the world and the second-highest peak in the Southern Hemisphere. It is located on the border between Chile and Argentina and is a popular destination for mountaineers and adventurers.
The standard approach from the Chilean side is the most popular of the various ascent routes. It takes between 8 to 12 days to finish the climb and return using this route, and the best time to climb is from December to February.
Picco De Orizaba – The highest Volcano in North America
Pico de Orizaba, also known as Citlaltépetl, is the highest peak in Mexico and the third highest peak in North America. Its summit is at 5,636 meters (18,491 feet) and is located on the border between the states of Puebla and Veracruz.
There are various ways to reach the top, with the Jamapa Glacier Way from the south being the most well-liked. The climb and return on this route, which begins in the town of Tlachichuca, take about 2-3 days. November through February, when the weather is largely consistent and the snow has melted, is the best time to climb.
Mount Wihlem – The highest Volcano in Oceana
At 4,509 meters (14,793 feet), Mount Wilhelm is the highest peak in Papua New Guinea, located in the Bismarck Range of the country’s highlands.
May through September, when the weather is primarily dry and stable, is the greatest season to go climbing. The usual path from the town of Keglsugl is the most popular of the many ascent routes to the peak. The climb and return on this route take about 3–4 days.
Mount Sidley – The highest Volcano in Antarctica
Mount Sidley is located in the remote Marie Byrd Land region and at 4,285 meters (14,058 feet) is the highest volcano in Antarctica.
It takes a high level of physical fitness, climbing expertise, and expedition experience to successfully climb Mount Sidley. The ideal months to climb are December through January when the weather is somewhat stable and Antarctic summer is in full swing.
Climbers often need to travel by ski aircraft or helicopter to reach the inaccessible site because there are no well-established paths to the top. The ascent entails negotiating extensive stretches of ice and snow, dodging crevasses, and enduring Antarctica’s harsh weather conditions.
