Lauca National Park
National Park High-altitude park with salt flats and Andean wildlife
High on the Andean Altiplano, Lauca National Park features volcanoes Parinacota and Pomerape, Lake Chungará and vicuña herds. Visitors seek high‑altitude trekking, flamingo watching and encounters with Aymara villages.
Lauca National Park is a protected area in Chile’s Arica y Parinacota Region on the high Andean plateau, noted for high-altitude wetlands, volcanoes and the scenic Lake Chungará. The park preserves puna grasslands, volcanic peaks and important Andean fauna.
Key attractions include Lake Chungará, high volcanic peaks such as the Parinacota and Pomerape massif, wetlands that support flamingos and other waterbirds, and sweeping altiplano vistas at elevations above 4,000 metres. The landscape is dominated by snow-capped cones and saline flats with some staffed viewpoints and short trails.
The park protects landscapes and ecosystems of the central Andean altiplano that have been used historically by indigenous Aymara communities for pastoral activities; formal protection was established to conserve the high-Andean environment and native species. Scientific and conservation interest has focused on water resources, glacial features and biodiversity.
The park lies in northern Chile near the border with Bolivia in the high plateau region, within Arica y Parinacota Region. The terrain is high and remote, accessed via roads from regional centres.
- Altitude and wildlife: Lake Chungará sits at high elevation and is a key wildlife site for flamingos and high Andean species; visitors should acclimatise to the altitude before strenuous activity.
What to See #
- Lake Chungará: Lake Chungará is a high-altitude lake within the park situated near the base of the Parinacota volcano and is one of the highest lakes in the world that supports native fish and waterbird communities.
- Parinacota and Pomerape volcanoes: The twin volcanic massif of Parinacota and Pomerape forms a prominent glaciated backdrop and is a focal point for mountaineering and high-altitude scenery within the park.
How to Get to Lauca National Park #
Lauca National Park is reached via the highland town of Putre, the usual gateway. From the regional capital Arica you follow Ruta 11‑CH east to Putre and then continue on local park roads into Lauca; private cars, 4x4 tours and day-trip buses/tour operators run from Arica to Putre.
Most visitors base themselves in Putre and join guided excursions into the park - there is no regular urban transit directly into the high‑altitude park, so expect a drive from Arica and some travel on unpaved mountain roads.
Tips for Visiting Lauca National Park #
- Use the town of Putre as your gateway - park administration and most services are based there and the main access road from Arica (Ruta 11) leads to the park, so plan logistics and fuel in Putre before heading into high-altitude areas.
- Go early in the morning (first light) to visit Lago Chungará and other wetlands: wildlife (including flamingos) and the clearest views of Parinacota/Parinacota volcano are most reliable before afternoon winds and cloud build-up.
- Many visitors only see the main lakes; set aside time to scan the smaller bofedales and shoreline marshes around Chungará and Cotacotani where bird activity is concentrated - bring binoculars and a vantage point map from the park office.
- Visit during the park's dry season for the clearest skies and road conditions; if you're coming from low altitude, spend at least a day in Putre to acclimatize before exploring the high plain to reduce altitude-related problems.
Best Time to Visit Lauca National Park #
Visit during the dry season (May-October) for clearer skies, more stable weather, and easier access to high‑altitude wetlands and viewpoints.
Weather & Climate near Lauca National Park #
Lauca National Park's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in January) and freezing winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from -11°C to 14°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of -2°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (101 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of -5°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of -8°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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June
June is freezing with highs of 10°C and lows of -11°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is the coldest month with highs of 9°C and lows of -11°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is freezing with highs of 10°C and lows of -10°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of -8°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of -6°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of -4°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
