A Local’s Guide to Visiting Lauca National Park, Chile
At an altitude of almost 15,000 ft in the high Andes, Lauca National Park boasts some of the most beautiful landscapes found in this type of environment, which locals call altiplano. One of the most stunning is the view of Lake Chungará – considered among the highest lakes in the world – with the perfect cone of Parinacota Volcano in the background. It’s most definitely “instagram-worthy”!
With over 100 aquatic bird species identified here, this park is also a great place to observe wildlife in addition to the gorgeous scenery, particularly at the Parinacota peatlands - locally called bofedales - and at Lake Chungará. So get your camera ready to snap some shots of these and other iconic wildlife species like vicuñas, guanacos, suris (a flightless bird similar to an ostrich), and vizcachas (which are like large squirrels).
Lauca National Park is also a great place to experience the culture and food of two native peoples known for their nomadic life in the altiplano: the Quechua and the Aymara. They are famous for their colorful dresses and dances, which they bring to life especially during the carnival season in February.
And when you get hungry after a long day of exploring, the nearby town of Putre has plenty of options for you to taste some great dishes made with Andean ingredients such as Quinoa, a staple superfood.
So, to sum it up: Lauca has incredible landscapes, diverse wildlife, indigenous culture, and great food. What more can you ask for?!
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Table of contents
Why visit
Where is the park
Best time to visit
How long to spend
Where to stay
Logistics of visiting
The areas of the park
What to see & do here
Best hikes in the park
Why visit
Because it’s located at such a high altitude, Lauca National Park is not a very good place for adventure sports or strenuous exercise. Rather, travelers come here to enjoy the views, photograph wildlife, and learn about the local indigenous and Spanish cultures that have flourished in the area since it became an important stop in the trade routes between Bolivia and Chile.
The landscapes are the clear star in the park, and aside from Lake Chungará, other amazing places in the area include the twin or payachatas (in native Aymara language) volcanoes of Parinacota and Pomerape, along with the stunning Cotacotani lagoons.
If you’re interested in indigenous history and culture, this is one of the best areas to travel in Chile. Prior to the expansion of the Inca empire, the Aymara and Quechua peoples had already built a large and powerful society in this region, focused around what is now the triple frontier of Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. Their economy was based on the rearing of alpacas and llamas - from which they obtained wool, leather, and meat - and subsistence agriculture relying on the production of potatoes and quinoa.
They also developed unique weaving techniques and traded their products with other coastal and high-Andean cultures. Within the park, the town of Parinacota is very emblematic of the area, with its clear mix of native and Spanish cultures.
As I mentioned above, this is also a fabulous place to spot wildlife. Approximately one-third of Chilean wildlife can be found here, which is one of the reasons the park and surrounding lands were declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
Where is Lauca National Park
Lauca National Park is located in the High-Andean plateaux of the Arica and Parinacota Region in northern Chile. The Park sits approximately 111 miles east of the city of Arica, and 8 miles east of the small town of Putre, often seen as the gateway to the park.
The ride from Arica takes roughly between 2.5 and 3 hours, mainly due to the curves along the road and the need to stop regularly in order to adjust to the change in altitude.
The park is located in what the locals call altiplano, which is - along with Tibet - one of the largest elevated plateaus on Earth, with an average elevation of more than 13,000 feet above sea level. This environment is located in the central Andes and is shared by Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.
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When to visit
In my opinion, the best seasons to visit Lauca National Park are spring (September to November) or autumn (March through June). Remember, the seasons in the southern hemisphere are reversed from what you’re likely used to!
Although this is a destination that can be visited all year-round, its climate is generally cold and dry, with broad temperature differences between day and night.
And because of the altitude, there is high solar radiation and the air becomes rarefied (thinner), due to the reduced oxygen in it and the atmospheric pressure.
That’s why your drive up to the park has to be slow and why you must make stops along the way. Your body needs time to adjust and get used to the altitude change!
Spring (September through December)
This is a great time to travel to Lauca National Park and northern Chile more broadly. The weather is mild and pleasant, attractions and services are open, but you won’t run into any large crowds.
Daily temperatures range between 26° F and 54° F.
Summer (December through March)
This is the high season for tourism in Chile and is also the period with the highest temperatures, typically ranging between 34° F and 56° F. Being both the busiest and warmest time of year, this is when you’ll find the broadest array of services in the areas around the park.
Everything will be open and accessible, but you’ll also see more crowds because schools are on summer break at this time and even Chileans without kids tend to travel more during this time.
If you like cultural traditions, you won’t want to miss the carnival, which is celebrated throughout the towns in the High-Andean plateaux seven weeks before Good Friday. During carnival, you’ll see lots of lively dances and colorful costumes, and the whole area takes on a festive atmosphere.
At the same time, this can be a tricky period to visit because the High-Andean plateau experiences a weather phenomenon locally called invierno altiplánico, or High-Andean winter (even though it occurs during the summer season).
While some years the phenomenon will produce only a few scattered showers now and then, other times it can manifest with heavy rainstorms, lightning storms, and hail that pours down relentlessly on the unprepared desert communities.
This heavy precipitation can sometimes cause flash flooding of waterways and even mudslides, with disastrous consequences.
Autumn (March through June)
Just like spring, this is also a fantastic time to visit northern Chile, when things are winding down after the summer highs. Daily temperatures range between 26° F and 56° F, days are still fairly long, and while the crowds have departed, most everything is still open, with plenty of services available.
Winter (June through September)
Winter is considered low season in Lauca National Park as well as essentially everywhere in Chile. This means that prices are lower than usual during this time, but there are also less options for activities and attractions to choose from, as some businesses will close for the season.
There might also be heavy snow in the Andes mountains during these months, sometimes forcing transport and border authorities to close domestic and international roads, as well as the crossings to Bolivia and Argentina.
Not everything is slow during this season, though. If you’re here in June, don’t miss the winter solstice festivities held by the indigenous communities, like the Aymaras who celebrate their new year on this date. It’s also a public holiday in Chile, known as Indigenous Peoples Day. Although the exact day varies, it usually falls between June 20 and June 22.
Temperatures tend to be much lower during the winter, ranging between 24° F and 44° F.
How long to spend
The ideal number of days to spend in Lauca National Park will depend on what your objective for visiting is. If you’re short on time, you can always book a simple full-day tour with any local operator in Arica or Putre, keeping in mind that a full-day excursion to Lauca National Park usually lasts from 12 to 14 hours and requires an early start, at 7:00 or 8:00 a.m.
If you can spare more time, then you should consider at least 2 days/1 night to make the most of your stay. In that case, I would propose the following itinerary.
Day 1
After your arrival in Arica, head to Lauca National Park, taking your time to adjust to the altitude and stopping to admire some of the landmarks along the way.
Start by visiting the river mouth of the Lluta River, a wetland that has been declared a Nature Sanctuary and a great place to observe marine birds. This river drains into a fertile valley producing corn, alfalfa, faba beans, onions, garlic, and several pepper varieties.
As you go up the road that runs next to the valley, you will see ancient geoglyphs on the hills. Next, I suggest visiting the town and church of Poconchile, and drinking coca tea in Zapahuira, an old village that was traditionally a cultural and commercial center.
After that, you should visit a pre-Inca fortress in Copaquilla, followed by the town of Socoroma, which is known for its aromatic oregano and religious traditions. Take a small break here and continue to Putre, where you should spend the night.
Day 2
Leave your accommodation in Putre at approximately 8:30 a.m., I suggest you take the time to visit the park’s main landmarks. Start at the Bofedal de las Cuevas and and continue towards the Bofedal de Parinacota, Lake Chungará, and the Cotacotani Lagoons.
You’ll find hiking or vehicle trails – or both – in all of these locations. Some of them have interpretive signs that convey the history and significance of each place. You can enjoy a packed lunch next to Lake Chungará, where there’s a small picnic area, or at the town of Parinacota, which should be your next stop. I swear, the town is like a blast from the past!
If time allows, fit in some well-deserved relaxation at the Jurasi or Las Cuevas hot springs before returning to Arica.
Where to stay
Looking down on the town of Putre. Photo: WeHaKa, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Since there are no camping sites in the park, you’ll need to arrange accommodation outside its boundaries. If you’re visiting for the day, you’ll probably stay in Arica, which is the capital city of the region.
With a population of approximately 255,000 people, in Arica you can find all kinds of financial and logistics services. This is Chile’s northernmost city, right next to the border with Peru, and one of the country’s main ports, as well as the gateway to the High-Andean plateaux.
If you decide to spend the night close to the park, then you need to book something in Putre. Although small (its population barely reaches 3,000 people), this is the main town around the park area and where you will find more food and lodging alternatives.
Some popular options in Putre include Terrace Lodge & Tours, Hotel Las Vicuñas, La Chakana Mountain Lodge, and Pachamama Hostel.
These are all comfortable options, with full or half board and free internet connection. Some of them include breakfast in their rate.
Logistics of visiting the park
Opening hours and Entrance
Lauca National Park opens from Monday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Entrance is free because its only official access (from the west) is through the international road that connects Arica with La Paz, Bolivia (Ruta CH-11) and crosses the park. This road is paved and operational all year round.
Getting to and around the park
Although I usually prefer to drive myself to the places I visit, I’ll occasionally hire tours with local companies to places with a rough terrain and long drives, or where logistics are complicated. One example is the road from Arica to Putre, which is a long and difficult drive, with a steep climb and lots of turns.
Several local tour operators offer daily and tailor-made excursions to the park. These include Tour Lago Chungara, Tour Lauca, Mayuru Tour, and Desierto Verde Expediciones.
It’s also important to take into account that there may be pouring rain during the summer or intensive snow during the winter. These weather conditions may sometimes force transport and border authorities to close domestic and international roads, as well as the crossings to Bolivia and Argentina.
There is also a local bus company, Transportes La Paloma, that provides regular services on a daily basis. They leave from Arica to Putre at 6:50 a.m. and return from Putre to Arica at 2:00 p.m.
Park Facilities
The park’s administration is located in the town of Parinacota, 11.8 mi from Lake Chungará and 28.5 mi from the town of Putre. Here, you’ll also find an Environmental Information Center that provides visitors with general background information on the area.
The park’s sub-administration is located in the town of Putre. The opening hours in the different park ranger stations are from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day of the year.
In addition to the Administration in Parinacota, the national park has two park ranger stations at: Las Cuevas (3.1 mi from the main entrance), on the side of the Arica-Tambo Quemado highway (CH -11), and Chungará, on the shores of the Lake.
There are three lookouts for vehicles, all of them on the international highway Route CH-11:
Mirador a los Payachatas: This is a colorful sculpture that represents a panpipe. There are benches to sit and admire the view.
Mirador Cotacotani: From here you can see the Cotacotani lagoons and the Pachayatas (Parinacota and Pomerape volcanos). There are benches for you to sit and observe the landscape, as well as parking space for vehicles.
Mirador Lake Chungara: This lookout also has benches for observing the landscape, which is characterized by abundant birdlife. Parking on site allows a maximum of ten vehicles and 35 people.
Restaurants and other services within the park
You won’t find many services or amenities inside the park. There are only three rustic restaurants, owned by locals, in the town of Chucuyo, where they serve typical drinks and foods.
ATMs are only available in Putre, so you should bring cash and small notes for your trip.
Dealing with the elevation
I know I’ve mentioned this before, but I can’t stress it enough. Because of the altitude, several activities are not recommended. One of them is mountain climbing. That’s why there are no tour operators offering to climb volcanos.
You may have heard a few people claiming to have climbed the Tarapacá Volcano or other peaks in the area. But these are professional climbers, because achieving that is almost like climbing Mount Everest.
Having visited the altiplano several times throughout my life, I can tell you that most people have a really hard time adjusting to this level of altitude, especially in a short-time frame, so it’s not recommended to even run here, let alone climb mountains.
Any type of exertion could result in health complications and there are no hospitals in the area. If anything serious happens, you would have to be taken to Arica, which requires a 3-hour drive.
Other important tips for visiting
As always, it’s important to be mindful of the general rules and recommendations when visiting protected areas. Additionally, Chile’s park authority (CONAF/Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service) has specific instructions in place for people visiting this particular national park:
Avoid doing sudden exercises, remember that at higher altitudes there is less oxygen, and avoid climbing after a heavy meal.
Here are a few other general tips:
Wear warm and protective clothing (hat, gloves, and sunglasses) and especially sunscreen.
Drink plenty of water and make sure to be constantly hydrated.
Deposit garbage in designated places or take it with you.
Travel in vehicles in good condition. Check tires, spare parts, brakes, carburetor, and others before starting the trip.
Carry enough gasoline for the journey, since there are no gasoline pumps along the way.
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What to see & do in the park
1. Bofedal de Las Cuevas
Lauca is known for its peatlands (locally called bofedales), and one of the first ones that Bofedal de Las Cuevas is one the first ones that you’ll see, right next to Las Cuevas Ranger Station. It is part of a series of eaves inventoried in the Las Cuevas district.
This is a great place to observe wildlife, especially the small vizcachas. Here, you can also see rocky eaves locally called chañacas, which indicate the presence of hunters between 6,000 and 4,000 BC. They would stop here to rest before continuing their journey towards the valleys or the coast in search of food barter.
It presents the oldest evidence of hunter-gatherers in the altiplano and it was used until Inca times.
2. Bofedal de Parinacota
The Parinacota peatland is the riverhead of the Lauca River. It is made up of a set of lagoons full of birds - especially giant coots, which nest forming floating islands - and hundreds of llamas and alpacas of different colors grazing in separate groups.
From here, you can see the snow-capped Payachatas, the Pomerape (20,610 ft) and Parinacota (20,807 ft) volcanos. It is located near the town of Parinacota and can be reached by Route 11-CH.
The Parinacota peatland (bofedal)
3. Cotacotani Lagoons
The Cotacotani lagoons are separated by volcanic rocks and receive underground water from Lake Chungará but are supplied mainly by the Desaguadero River.
Their main characteristic is the large number of islands and islets that are located in the lagoons, because these are lava protuberances generated by the active volcanism of the area. With a surface area of 2.3 sq mi, the lagoons have a stored volume of between 1 billion to 1.4 billion ft3, which they drain through the Lauca River to Lake Coipasa, in Bolivia.
This is a place of great beauty, which at different times of the day presents different shades of light and shadow. You can take great photos here!
Laguna Cotacotani. Photo: maxstottrop from Cologne, Deutschland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
4. Chucuyo
This small village is located 23 mi southwest of Putre, adjacent to the Parinacota peatland. It is an ancient town of pre-Columbian origin, which was an important point in the intense caravan traffic of the 16th and 17th centuries, between the gold ore of Potosí and the port of Arica.
There is a place where they sell alpaca wool fabrics, as well as hostels and restaurants.
5. Lake Chungará
With an area of 8.3 sq mi and a maximum depth of 108 ft, Lake Chungará has beautiful turquoise waters that reflect the Parinacota (20,807 ft) volcano, but they are too cold for bathing.
Sitting at 14,996 ft, this is one of the highest lakes in the world and a place of abundant wildlife. Species such as rhea or suri, puna tinamou, Chilean flamingo, giant coot, condor, and yellow-billed teal can be commonly seen here.
Among the mammals, guanacos, vicuñas, llamas, alpacas, tarucas (the northern species of the huemul deer), pumas, foxes and vizcachas stand out. If you spot any of the last one, count yourself lucky!
Photo: Chang Hyon Lee, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
6. Las Cuevas and Jurasi hot springs
Las Cuevas and Juarsi hot springs are both located within Lauca National Park and provide a relaxing experience amidst some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. And both of them are free!
Jurasi Hot Springs are the ones closest to Putre, only 6 miles away, and they have two outdoor pools: one made of rock and another one built with concrete, but there are no other services. Water flows approximately at 122º F.
Next are Las Cuevas Hot Springs, located roughly 3 miles from Las Cuevas Ranger Station. To get to them, you have to follow the interpretive trail. The hot springs have a covered pool, surrounded by a peatland, but no other services are provided. This is a spring with medicinal properties due to its arsenic and boron content. The waters in its natural pools reach 86º F.
7. Parinacota & Pomerape Volcano
This is one of the most significant landmarks in the park. The Parinacota volcano (20,807 ft) is a conic volcano located on the border of Chile and Bolivia.
Together with its twin, the Pomerape volcano (20,610 ft), they make up the snowy peaks known as the Payachatas by the inhabitants of the Andean plateaux.
Photo: Pavel Špindler, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
8. Admire the truly impressive diversity of birds
Lauca National Park and the surrounding areas are known for the extreme diversity of birds found here. Assuming you’re arriving to the park from Arica, you can first do some fabulous bird watching in the Lluta Valley, located just 2.5 miles north of Arica along the road that leads to Lauca National Park.
Here, at the mouth of the Lluta River, which is a protected area designated as a Nature Sanctuary, and one of the most important wetlands in northern Chile, you can see hundreds of resident and migratory birds. It’s pretty spectacular!
Leaving the Valley behind and continuing toward Lauca up through the mountains, you’ll begin to see some impressive geoglyphs. These include the Eagle, the Large Man, the Small Man, and the Bird, all of them measuring between 98 ft and 196 ft wide.
Finally, as you reach the park, you’ll find yet more biodiversity. Over 100 aquatic bird species have been identified here and you can see most of them at the Parinacota lagoon and peatlands (locally called bofedales) and Lake Chungará, along with other iconic wildlife species such as the vizcacha (a small rodent) and the South American camelids: vicuñas, guanacos, llamas, and alpacas.
Wetlands along the Lluta River, near Arica. Photo: Andrea021, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
9. Dance in an Andean carnival or celebrate the Crosses of May
Throughout the trip, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to taste local dishes that are typical of the altiplano. If you’re in Putre in February, try to participate in the carnival held 40 days before Holy Week. This is the largest and most important one in the region and is attended by hundreds of people of Aymara origin coming from different towns in the altiplano to join the rituals and dances, showing their colorful clothing.
And if you make the trip in May, then consider engaging with locals in the celebration of Socoroma’s Crosses of May festival, which is a Spanish tradition still broadly observed in the mother land.
Practiced in the hills surrounding Socoroma, the festival is accompanied by native music on guitar and violin while venerating the crosses of Calvary, Yapavelina, and Miracle. The festival lasts 8 days and includes a hike to the most remote hills to give thanks with offerings (coca leaves, alcohol, livestock) for the area’s agricultural production.
10. Go back in time in Parinacota
Once you’re inside the park, you can visit the small town of Parinacota, dating from the 17th century. Walking down the dirt streets of this town located at almost 14,500 ft, is seriously like going back to the past.
The church, its most important architectural landmark, was built in 1670 and rebuilt in 1789. Like the rest of the town, it was built with volcanic stones and adobe, and the roof was put together with frames of queñoa trees and tall altiplano grass fixed with mud. The walls were whitened with lime.
This is a prime example of the famous altiplano churches circuit, made up of over 30 Catholic temples and chapels built between the 17th and 18th centuries in northern Chile.
The church in Parinacota. Photo: Chris malebran, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
11. Head south into the wonders the Surire Salt Flat
If you can spare the time, I recommend spending a full day on a trip to the Surire Salt Flat, the main attraction of Salar de Surire Natural Monument, located 99.5 mi from Putre and 161 mi from Arica, with some great stops along the way. This is the land of the suri (flightless rheas similar to an ostrich), and its landscape is full of colorful hills contrasting with the white expanse of the salt flat that covers 55.5 sq mi.
To get there, you must first pass through Las Vicuñas National Reserve, located 56 mi from Putre and 142 mi from Arica. This protected area is adjacent to Lauca National Park’s southern border and was created to conserve the dwindling populations of vicuña, a beautiful South American camelid that was on the verge of extinction in the 1970s and recovered thanks to the creation of these protected areas, among other conservation measures.
Together, Lauca National Park, Las Vicuñas National Reserve, and Salar de Surire Natural Monument make up the Lauca Biosphere Reserve, designated by UNESCO in 1981.
On the way to the salt flat, you will admire the traditional architecture of the small Andean villages of Ancuta and Guallatire. Although there are barely a few houses in each of them, they are known for their churches typical of the famous altiplano churches circuit and their proximity to the imposing Guallatire volcano (19,920 ft). Unfortunately, there are no trekking options to this volcano.
Following with your journey, you’ll cross the Lauca River, and continue heading south until you reach the bofedal de Chilcaya and the Surire Salt Flat, at the heart of the Natural Monument. Both the peatland and the salt flat attract hundreds of birds, including the three flamingo species found in Chile: Chilean flamingo; James’ flamingo; and Andean flamingo.
Surire’s colorful landscape is mind-blowing! Due to its secluded location, it’s rarely crowded, so travelers who come here often have a unique and practically private adventure in this extraordinary place. After practicing mindfulness in this beautiful setting, end your journey with a picnic and a dip in the Polloquere Hot Springs (14,010 ft), which can only be accessed on a 4x4 vehicle and form a calypso-colored saline lagoon with a temperature of nearly 150º F.
These are considered a hyperthermal spring because their waters reach some of the highest temperatures, surpassing 150º F. You won’t find any spas here, just the pool and the surrounding rocks, but these natural hot springs provide a relaxing experience amidst some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. Since these are publicly accessible, there is no entry fee nor services available, so you must bring your own packed meals, water bottles, and bathing suits!
Several local operators offer tours to Surire, including Tour Lago Chungará, Tour Lauca, Mayuru Tour, and Desierto Verde Expediciones.
Surire Salt Flat. Photo: Bachelot Pierre J-P, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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12. Venture north the the Suriplaza, a hidden gem
Another great full-day adventure will take you approximately 4 hours north of Putre towards the area known as Suriplaza; a unique and hidden site surrounded by colorful hills almost at the northern border of Chile. This is one of the most remote places of the high plateau, until now little known by most travelers.
Along the way, I recommend stopping at some other amazing landmarks that will make your trip even more unforgettable! After traveling for roughly 14 mi from Putre, you’ll get up close to the Tarapacá (19,226 ft) and Ancoma (17,755 ft) volcanoes, famously known as the Nevados de Putre (snow-capped mountains of Putre). A perfect opportunity for some photos in the altiplano!
Continuing towards the north, you will pass Quebrada de Allane creek. This is a place of great scenic beauty, with rock formations of different shapes and colors along the flowing waters. Next, you will go through the town of Colpitas, an Aymara village that stands out for its trout farming and the bofedal de Colpitas (peatland), where you’ll find abundance of small birds and mammals.
After this wonderful journey, you’ll get to the real treasure! The final destination on the trip. As you approach it, you will understand why this is such an unforgettable place.
Suriplaza means “land of the suris” in reference to these large flightless birds (similar to an ostrich), which are locally called suris and can be found only in the Andes. The site is shaped like a natural amphitheater surrounded by colorful mountains showing a great variety of reddish, ocher, and orange hues as result of the large amount of clay elements in this area.
Here, you can go trekking in the surroundings of the Suriplaza mountains without following marked trails and enjoy this mesmerizing site tucked away in the altiplano.
Since the road leading here can get tough, especially during the rainy summer months, it’s best if you hire this tour with a local operator like Tour Lago Chungará.
Photo: rodoluca, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Best hikes in the park
Because of the altitude, this isn’t a major hiking destination. Nevertheless, there are three easy trails that you can enjoy at Lauca National Park, provided you register with the park rangers first and check the condition of the trails.
There used to be five, but two of them (the Chaku trail and the Cotacotani Lagoons trail) are not operational at the moment, due to structural damage that makes it difficult for hikers to complete them.
You can still reach the lagoons by car and admire them from the lookout (Mirador Cotacotani), just not walking around them. The following are the trails you can currently hike:
Las Cuevas Trail
This is an interpretive hiking trail that starts at the Las Cuevas Park Ranger Station (3.1 mi from the main entrance), on the side of the Arica-Tambo Quemado highway (CH -11). The trail runs for almost one mile and takes approximately 35 minutes to complete. It has three lookouts, including one for people with disabilities at the beginning of the trail.
Parinacota Trail
This is an interpretive hiking trail located in the town of Parinacota. Starting next to the Park Ranger Station, it runs for 2.3 mi and takes approximately an hour to complete. It has eight lookouts with their corresponding signs, which tell the story of the place and explain what you see in the peatlands and lagoons.
Chungará Trail
The trail is located on the shore of Lake Chungará, in front of the Park Ranger Station. It’s an interpretive hiking trail that runs for almost a mile and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. It has five lookouts, one of them for people with disabilities, from which you can see many bird species, such as the Giant Tagua and the three flamingo species that are found in Chile.
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