Lauca National Park

Parque Nacional Lauca

A vast protected area spanning 137,000 hectares featuring multiple lagoons, volcanoes, and diverse Andean ecosystems with abundant wildlife including vicuñas and flamingos. It offers some of Chile's most spectacular high-altitude trekking and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Things to do

• Laguna Chungará hiking — Trek around this stunning high-altitude saltwater lagoon at 4,520 meters to spot Andean flamingos, James's flamingos, and Andean geese in their natural habitat.
• Volcán Parinacota summit climb — Ascend this iconic snow-capped volcano at 6,348 meters for panoramic views across the Altiplano and into Bolivia and Peru on clear days.
• Vicuña spotting at Pampa Lauca — Drive or trek through the high plateau grasslands to observe herds of wild vicuñas grazing freely in their native Andean environment.
• Laguna Cotacotani exploration — Visit this cluster of interconnected lagoons surrounded by volcanic peaks where you can observe multiple flamingo species and Andean avifauna.
• Chungará village cultural visit — Explore this traditional Aymara settlement at the park's edge to learn about indigenous highland life and purchase local alpaca textiles.
• High-altitude acclimatization hike — Take a guided gentle walk through Andean tussock grasslands at 4,200+ meters to properly acclimate while observing endemic plants and wildlife.

Food to try

• Charque de llama — Dried llama or alpaca meat sliced thin and traditionally prepared, a staple protein source for highlanders that provides essential nutrition at altitude.
• Cazuela de quinua — A hearty stew made with quinoa, potatoes, and local vegetables that has sustained Andean communities for centuries and aids digestion at high altitude.
• Chuño — Freeze-dried potatoes that have been naturally processed through Altiplano freeze-thaw cycles, a lightweight and nutritious traditional highland carbohydrate.
• Trucha fresca from park lagoons — Fresh-caught trout from Lauca's high-altitude lakes, often grilled simply with local herbs and served at nearby lodges and park facilities.
• Tunta (papa seca) — Another variety of processed highland potato prepared through traditional methods, typically cooked in soups and stews for its unique texture and flavor.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect altitude and acclimatization — Arrive in the Altiplano gradually, spend your first days at lower elevations, and stay hydrated as the park sits at 4,200-6,348 meters where altitude sickness is common.
• Request permission before photographing people — Aymara and Quechua communities in and around Lauca value privacy and may request payment for photographs, so always ask respectfully before taking images of locals or sacred sites.
• Hire local guides for safety and insight — Mountain guides from nearby villages understand weather patterns, wildlife behavior, and cultural context; they are essential for safe trekking and enrich your understanding of the region.
• Pack all trash and minimize impact — As a protected national park, Lauca requires visitors to practice leave-no-trace principles and remove all waste since the fragile high-altitude ecosystem recovers very slowly from damage.