Main image

Carlos Adampol Galindo CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Kara Lake

Lake

High on the Potosí plateau, Kara Lake offers thin‑air Andean terrain; visitors come for remote trekking, stark mountain scenery and seasonal birdlife rather than developed facilities.

Kara Lake La PazUyuniSucreCopacabanaPotosíSanta CruzKara Lake
In this guide

Kara Lake essentials

Country: Bolivia
Driest months: Aug-Oct
Pay in: Boliviano (Bs.)
Language: Spanish, Guarani, Quechua

Kara Lake at a Glance

When to Go

Best Time to Visit Kara Lake

Dry season (May-October) is generally best for access and clearer skies.

Dry season
May-October · -5-15°C (varies with altitude)
Clear skies and the most stable travel conditions for visiting high-altitude lakes in Potosí Department.
Wet season shoulder
November-April · 0-18°C
Afternoon storms and muddy roads make access less reliable; landscapes are greener.

Weather & Climate near Kara Lake

Climate

Kara Lake's climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with cold summers (peaking in January) and freezing winters (coldest in June). Temperatures range from -11°C to 14°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 70 Moderate
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
15°
Warmest Month
-11°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - -1° - 14° 4° 28 mm - - 4.8 m/s - -
February - -1° - 14° 4° 31 mm - - 4.5 m/s - -
March - -1° - 14° 3° 10 mm - - 4.5 m/s - -
April - -4° - 13° 1° 0 mm - - 4.3 m/s - -
May - -7° - 11° -2° 1 mm - - 4.5 m/s - -
June - -11° - 8° -7° 4 mm - - 4.9 m/s - -
July - -11° - 8° -7° 6 mm - - 4.9 m/s - -
August - -10° - 9° -6° 2 mm - - 4.7 m/s - -
September - -7° - 11° -2° 1 mm - - 4.9 m/s - -
October - -5° - 13° 0° 0 mm - - 4.9 m/s - -
November - -3° - 13° 2° 3 mm - - 5.1 m/s - -
December - -1° - 15° 3° 7 mm - - 5.0 m/s - -
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Kara Lake

Access typically requires travel by road from Potosí or other regional centers; roads can be unpaved and weather-dependent. Local drivers and guides are recommended for safe passage in the high Andes.

Tips for Visiting Kara Lake

  • Allow a day for acclimatization if coming from low altitude; the Potosí region has high elevations and thin air.
  • Local guides know the access routes; roads can be rough and weather-dependent.
  • Bring layered clothing - Andean days swing from sunny to cold quickly.