Visiting Lauca National Park
Located in the Parincota province, Lauca National Park is a top destination when you visit Chile. This volcanic park covers 1378 km² and offers a landscape that is both rugged and expansive.
History
Established in 1970, the park was created to protect the wildlife and flora of these high-altitude plateaus. The name comes from the Rio Lauca, which has its source within the park boundaries. The biological diversity found here led UNESCO to designate the area as part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Lauca National Park
The park is vast, roughly the size of Guadeloupe, and sits at a significant elevation. You will need time to acclimate before attempting any strenuous hiking. The lowest point of the park is already at 3100 meters, while the peaks frequently exceed 6000 meters. These summits are all volcanoes, and their historic lava flows carved out this terrain. You can still see evidence of this geothermal activity today in the form of geysers and hot springs.
An unexpected landscape
Lake Chungara and Lake Cotacotani are both situated above 4500 meters, making them some of the highest lakes on the planet. The latter is surrounded by expansive wetlands, a terrain feature you would not expect to encounter at such high altitudes.
Flora and fauna
This combination of unique soil and high altitude creates a rare habitat for specialized plant species, such as the Llareta, a flowering plant that grows exclusively between 3200 and 3800 meters. Many other high-altitude plants find this environment particularly well-suited for growth.
The wildlife is equally notable, with 130 bird species in the air and llamas, vicunas, tarucas, foxes, and pumas roaming the high plateaus.
It is a park that literally takes your breath away.
We went to Lauca National Park for 3 days. It is located in the north of Chile and gave us an unforgettable visit.
A landscape of wetlands and lakes as far as the eye can see, with snow-capped mountains in the background.
It takes a little time to acclimatize, when you visit the shores of Chungara Lake you are at 4500 meters of altitude and your body sometimes has a hard time.
We came across a lot of llamas, more curious than fearful, at this altitude they are more numerous than humans.
We finished the trip on the superb Parinacota volcano, magnificent against a blue sky background.
A very beautiful experience, quite physical.