Laguna Lejía
Lake High-altitude Andean salt lake with flamingo colonies
High in the Altiplano under surrounding volcanoes, Laguna Lejía offers reflective flats and occasional flamingos; photographers and jeep tour groups visit for Andean landscapes.
How to Get to Laguna Lejía #
From Calama or San Pedro de Atacama: hire a 4x4 or join an organized altiplano tour. The gravel approach runs off Route B-245/B-245-CH toward Salar de Talar; travel times from San Pedro are typically 3-4 hours each way depending on stops and road condition. There are no marked visitors’ facilities at the lake - treat it as a backcountry outing.
Tips for Visiting Laguna Lejía #
- Acclimatize in San Pedro de Atacama or Socaire for at least a day before attempting excursions above 4,000 m.
- Arrange a 4x4 vehicle with high clearance; the final stretch is rough and requires a driver experienced with Andean gravel tracks.
- Bring sunscreen and a windproof layer - sun and wind are fierce at high altitude; avoid midday visits if susceptible to altitude sickness.
Best Time to Visit Laguna Lejía #
Best visited in the dry season when high-altitude roads are open and the skies over the altiplano are clear.
Weather & Climate near Laguna Lejía #
Laguna Lejía's climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with cold summers (peaking in January) and cold winters (coldest in June). Temperatures range from -9°C to 16°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 1°C. Light rainfall.
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February
February is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 1°C. Light rainfall.
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March
March is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 0°C. Almost no rain.
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April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of -2°C. The driest month with just 0 mm.
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May
May is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of -6°C. The driest month with just 0 mm.
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June
June is the coolest month with highs of 9°C and lows of -9°C. Almost no rain.
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July
July is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -9°C. Almost no rain.
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August
August is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of -8°C. Almost no rain.
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September
September is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of -5°C. The driest month with just 0 mm.
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October
October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of -3°C. Almost no rain.
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November
November is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of -1°C. Almost no rain.
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December
December is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 0°C. Almost no rain.
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