Overview:

Cerro El Plomo - Santiago in Chile is an ancient and very significant mountain which has been worshipped by local indigenous people since prehispanic times. It stands at 5350 m and is the third highest mountain in the country. There is archaeological evidence of many ancient settlements on the slopes of the mountain, which is located within the bounds of the Vitacura-Río Colorado National Park. Cerro El Plomo is a site of tremendous cultural and historical importance, and its summit has been used for spiritual rituals since ancient times. The summit has a shrine dedicated to Huamán, the ancient god of the Inca empire. Every year, locals climb the mountain and perform offerings and rituals in honor of the gods, as well as the ancestors who inhabited its slopes. The surrounding mountain range is filled with trails and mesmerizing landscapes, making it a popular destination for those who enjoy nature and adventure. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Chile
Prominent Features:

1. Cerro El Plomo (or Mount El Plomo) is part of the Andes mountain range in central-north Chile. 2. Located approximately 30km south of the capital city of Santiago, Cerro El Plomo is a stratovolcano with two peaks, the higher peak rises to 5450m above sea level. 3. It has an ice-filled summit crater, located towards the southwest, as well as numerous glaciers and glaciers remnants. 4. The peak has been an important spiritual site for thousands of years, and has been the subject of various archaeological studies since the late 19th century. 5. It is also considered to be a sacred mountain in Mapuche culture, with the summit being referred to as “Raka” in Mapudungun. 6. One of the main features of Cerro El Plomo is its hiking and climbing trails – it is known for being one of the best hikes around Santiago and is often visited for the popular “5 Peak” challenge. 7. The mountain is rich in plants and wildlife, hosting a range of species from pumas to magnificent condors. 8. The climb typically takes several hours, depending on the route taken, however its size and remoteness mean that it can become dangerous in bad weather conditions. This national monument of Chile portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Cerro El Plomo is a permanent glacier-covered mountain located in Santiago, Chile. With an altitude of 5,424 meters (17,782 feet), it is the highest peak in central Santiago and the surrounding region. The summit is located on the northeast area of the Parque Nacional Valle Nevado and can easily be seen from most of Santiago's east side. Cerro El Plomo has had a long and sometimes violent history, as it has been fought over by many of Santiago's indigenous peoples, including the Mapuche and the Picunche. It is rumored that the area was often a meeting ground for warriors and shamans who would meet and discuss important plan for their respective tribes. It is said that Cerro El Plomo was also a sacred site for Mapuche and Picunche rituals. In the 16th century, the Spanish colonized the area and acquired the mountain, which was soon used as an observation point for looking out over the valley. On a clear day, it is said that the summit of El Plomo can be seen from Central Santiago, although this is highly unlikely. Later in the 19th century, following Chilean Independence, Cerro El Plomo was used by the military to train soldiers in alpine combat techniques, as well as to observe the surrounding region. In 1924, the summit was officially opened to climbing and a summit hut was constructed to house climbers. In recent years, Cerro El Plomo has become one of the most popular destinations for mountaineering and trekking. Many tourists visit the mountain and take in the spectacular views from its summit. It offers some of the best ski slopes in South America, and is home to the beautiful Valle Nevado resort. Cerro El Plomo is also an important site in Chilean culture and history, representing the long struggles of the area's first inhabitants and their eventual incorporation into what is now modern-day Chile. You must visit one of these historical places in Chile on your Chile tour

Interesting facts:

1. Cerro El Plomo is an extinct volcano located in the Andes range in Santiago, Chile. 2. It is believed to have last erupted around 800 BC, and some believe that it is Chile’s oldest volcano. 3. It has a peak of 5,550 m (18,209 feet) above sea level, making it the second highest peak in the metropolitan area of Santiago, just after Cerro Tupungato (5,571 m, 18,264 feet). 4. Its name derives from the large amount of silvery-metallic lead (plomo) that was found in its rocks when it was first explored in 1872. 5. The area around Cerro El Plomo has a few plants and animals, including the Thismosia porraina butterfly. 6. The volcano is an important site for archaeological research as evidence has been found of human occupation from as far back as 8000 BC. 7. Local vegetation is sparse, but there are a few species that grow in clusters around its base, and colorful wildflowers can often be seen in the area. 8. In 2011, Cerro El Plomo was declared a regional protected area, safeguarding the local offerings surrounding the extinct volcano. Visit one of the famous monuments of Chile with your friends and family.