Lauca National Park

Lauca National Park covers 1,379 square kilometres in the high Andes of northern Chile's Arica y Parinacota region, bordering Bolivia. Designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1981 alongside adjacent protected areas, the park sits at elevations between 3,200 and 6,342 metres above sea level. Its landscape features snow-capped stratovolcanoes—such as Parinacota and Pomerape—high-altitude wetlands (bofedales), and brackish lakes, dominated by Lake Chungará at 4,520 metres.

Wildlife adapted to the harsh altiplano environment thrives across the tundra and wetlands. Vicuñas, guanacos, and mountain viscachas range across the plains, while over 140 bird species inhabit the lakes, including Chilean, Andean, and James's flamingos, giant coots, and Andean geese. Scattered human settlements like Parinacota feature 17th-century adobe architecture built by the indigenous Aymara people, who raise llamas and alpacas on the highland grasses.

The climate is cold and dry, defined by extreme daily temperature swings. Daytime temperatures range from 5°C to 20°C, but nighttime temperatures drop below freezing year-round, regularly reaching −15°C between June and August. The "Altiplanic Winter" brings rain, cloud cover, and occasional snowfall from December to March, whereas May through October offers clear skies and intense solar radiation. Due to the high elevation, thin air, and strong winds, visitors require warm gear and proper altitude acclimatization.

• Lago Chungará: Located at 4,520 metres above sea level along Route 11-CH, Lake Chungará spans 21.5 square kilometres and is one of the highest navigable lakes in the world. Its blue-green waters reflect the twin peaks of Parinacota and Pomerape. Lookouts along the southern shore offer birdwatching spots for flamingos, giant coots, and Andean gulls. Entry fee: Free (visitor registration required via CONAF or Pases Parques).

• Lagunas de Cotacotani: A cluster of interconnected high-altitude lagoons located 15 km northwest of Lake Chungará, formed by volcanic lava dams. Volcanic islands dot the turquoise water surfaces, supporting feeding grounds for Andean flamingos and vicuñas. A dirt road off Route 11-CH leads to a scenic overlook. Entry fee: Free.

• Volcán Parinacota & Volcán Pomerape (Nevados de Payachatas): These symmetrical twin stratovolcanoes sit on the Chile-Bolivia border. Volcán Parinacota rises to 6,342 metres with a dormant crater, while Volcán Pomerape reaches 6,282 metres. They dominate the skyline throughout the park and serve as a focal point for photography and alpine climbing. Entry fee: Free.

• Parinacota Village & Church: A small highland settlement situated at 4,400 metres, populated by local Aymara families. The central square features a whitewashed colonial church built in the 17th century out of adobe and stone, featuring a straw-thatched roof, separate bell tower, and interior mural paintings depicting religious iconography. Entry fee: Free to view outdoors; church interior open during local services or by request to keyholders.

• Las Cuevas Archaeological Trail & Hot Springs: Located near the park's western entrance at 4,300 metres, this site contains rock overhangs used by nomadic hunter-gatherer groups nearly 9,000 years ago. A 1 km self-guided loop trail passes through wetland habitat where mountain viscachas rest on rocks. A small rustic thermal pool (~31°C) inside a stone hut permits bathing. Entry fee: Free.

• Chucuyo Village & Bofedales: A roadside hamlet along Route 11-CH surrounded by extensive bofedales (peatland wetlands). The wetlands provide grazing grounds for domesticated alpacas and wild vicuñas. The site includes a Chilean Carabineros police checkpoint and small roadside eateries. Entry fee: Free.

• Wildlife Viewing: Observe wild vicuñas grazing along the altiplano plains and mountain viscachas around rocky outcrops at Las Cuevas. Birdwatchers can spot Chilean, Andean, and James's flamingos, Puna ibis, Andean geese, and giant coots near Lake Chungará and Cotacotani.

• High-Altitude Trekking: Walk the 1 km Las Cuevas loop trail or the shore path along Lake Chungará. Experienced mountaineers with proper acclimatization can arrange guided ascents of Volcán Parinacota (6,342 m) or Volcán Guallatiri (6,060 m); ascents require technical high-altitude gear, crampons, ice axes, and climbing permits.

• Thermal Bathing: Soak in the natural thermal springs at Las Cuevas (31°C) inside the park, or visit Termas de Jurasi (located just outside the park boundary off Route A-151, 10 km from Putre), which features outdoor thermal mud and mineral pools ranging from 40°C to 50°C (Entry fee: 3,000 CLP / $3.30 USD).

• Landscape Photography: Capture morning reflections of Parinacota volcano on the still surface of Lake Chungará, or photograph traditional Aymara adobe architecture and llama herds across the golden bofedal grass.

• Restobar Chucuyo (Chucuyo Village, Route 11-CH): Cuisine: Traditional Andean / Chilean. A basic roadside diner catering to truck drivers and park visitors. Serves hot set lunches (colaciones) featuring alpaca stew (cazuela de alpaca), quinoa soup, fried trout, and coca tea. Price Tier: Budget (4,000 CLP – 7,000 CLP / $4.50 – $7.50 USD per meal).
• Comedor Doña Vicky (Route 11-CH, near Chucuyo): Cuisine: Chilean Altiplano. Simple highway eatery serving hearty breakfasts and lunch menus, including rice with alpaca meat, egg dishes, and hot beverages. Opens early for breakfast, closes by early afternoon. Price Tier: Budget (4,000 CLP – 6,500 CLP / $4.50 – $7.00 USD per meal).
• Restaurant La Paloma (Av. O'Higgins 46, Putre): Cuisine: Andean / Chilean local specialty. Located 40 km west of the park in Putre, this long-standing restaurant is known for alpaca al jugo (juicy pan-seared alpaca steak served with rice and french fries) and vegetable soups. Price Tier: Mid-range (7,000 CLP – 12,000 CLP / $7.50 – $13.00 USD per main dish).
• Restaurant Canta Verde (Calle Baquedano, Putre): Cuisine: Chilean & Highland Regional. Cozy dining room serving homemade quinoa risotto, alpaca steaks, roasted chicken, and hot mate de coca to assist with altitude adjustment. Price Tier: Mid-range (8,000 CLP – 14,000 CLP / $8.50 – $15.00 USD per main dish).

Budget

• Hostal Uta Kala (Parinacota Village inside the park, Tel: +56 9 8895 3373): The only formal accommodation operating within park boundaries. Rustic home-stay run by a local family without grid electricity or mobile signal; solar lights and wood stoves provide warmth. Advance phone reservation (at least 72 hours prior) is required. Rate: 35,000 CLP ($38 USD) per person, including home-cooked dinner and breakfast.
• Hostal La Pachamama (Calle Teniente Merino 399, Putre): Backpacker-friendly guesthouse in Putre offering basic private rooms and shared dorms with shared bathrooms and electric blankets. Rate: 20,000 CLP – 30,000 CLP ($22 – $33 USD) per person per night.

Mid-range

• Terrace Lodge (Calle Baquedano 340, Putre): Comfortable Italian-run hotel in Putre offering heated rooms, private bathrooms with continuous hot water, breakfast buffet, and tour booking assistance. Rate: 65,000 CLP – 90,000 CLP ($70 – $100 USD) per double room per night.
• Hotel Cali (Calle Baquedano 299, Putre): Centrally located hotel in Putre with clean rooms, private baths, heating, and on-site parking. Rate: 50,000 CLP – 75,000 CLP ($55 – $82 USD) per double room per night.

Upscale

• No luxury or upscale hotels exist inside Lauca National Park or in Putre. The highest standard of accommodation available in the region is mid-range lodges like Terrace Lodge.

Camping

• No designated commercial campsites exist inside the park. Wild camping is permitted on public land, but temperatures fall to −15°C with severe wind chill. Campers must carry sub-zero rated sleeping bags, heavy four-season tents, and all water and food supplies.

• Reserva Nacional Las Vicuñas: 30 km south of Putre / Lauca entrance. A 2,091 square kilometre reserve directly adjoining Lauca to the south, protecting vast altiplano steppe and thousands of wild vicuñas. Accessible via unpaved dirt road (4WD required).
• Monumento Natural Salar de Surire: 125 km south of Putre. A high-altitude salt flat located at 4,200 metres, nesting ground for thousands of Chilean, Andean, and James's flamingos. Features natural thermal pools at Termas de Polloquere suitable for bathing. Requires 4WD vehicle and self-sufficiency.
• Sajama National Park, Bolivia: 25 km east of Lake Chungará. Located directly across the Tambo Quemado border crossing into Bolivia. Contains Bolivia’s highest peak, Nevado Sajama (6,542 m), high-altitude quenua forests, thermal springs, and native wildlife.
• Putre: 40 km west of Lake Chungará. A highland town situated at 3,500 metres elevation. Functions as the primary hub for lodging, dining, fuel inquiry, and altitude acclimatization before ascending to Lauca’s 4,500-metre plateau.
• Arica: 175 km west via Route 11-CH. Coastal city on the Pacific Ocean featuring warm weather, surfing beaches, seafood markets, and the San Miguel de Azapa Archaeological Museum, home to the ancient Chinchorro mummies.