The Ultimate Guide To Exploring Lauca National Park

For a country that is almost as long as the United States of America is wide, it is no surprise that the north of Chile resembles little of the south. Northeastern Chile is a rugged, awe inspiring expanse of desolate land, stamped with volcanoes and lakes, and every traveler should be well equipped and informed before making the trek. Discover how to make the most of a venture through Lauca National Park.

Transportation

Book a tour and arrive in style in a single level tour bus with large windows allowing for the most optimal views.

For the more independent traveler, rent a care at any of the number of places in Arica providing decent rates. With new roads leading up to the National Park up until the Bolivian border, the ride is smooth and pleasurable, making a 4×4 necessary only for more adventurous travelers.

Econoautos, 4438 Toconao, Arica, Chile +56 9 9545 0915

Clothing

The temperature in the National Park rarely ever exceeds 20°C (68°F) and can feel awfully frigid with a passing breeze. If staying around after sunset, or spending the night, prepare for the worst, as the temperature can drop below freezing quite easily! During the day, dress in layers that are easy to take off and put on, as you will heat up while walking or hiking, but cool off very quickly. Form fitting, long sleeved shirts, thin wooly sweaters and a jacket are great examples clothing adaptable to your body’s fluctuating temperature.

Footwear

Hiking boots offer the best foot and ankle support, whether it be for casual walking or something more difficult like attempting to conquer Parinacota Volcano. The terrain here is rugged and uneven, and the last thing anyone needs when half way through a journey is a bad blister or a sprained ankle.

Camping gear

Don’t be frugal when packing if you plan to spend a few nights (or just the one!) in the National Park. A little extra weight on your back is well worth it knowing that the outside is hostile and cold. Bring a thick sleeping bag, with a sub zero temperature rating, and long pajama style pants and shirt to sleep in. The wind can pick up at night, so make sure you have heavy duty pegs to hold your tent firm into the rocky ground.

Food and water

There are no real restaurants or proper amenities in the very small towns located within the National Park. Remember that at high altitudes it is easier to suffer from dehydration, so err on the side of caution and bring more water and snacks than you think you need. If you plan to hike a volcano or do long distance trekking, bring easy to carry foods with high caloric content like Snickers bars and nuts.

Altitude

Coming from a country with naturally high altitude will allow people to better acclimatize to their surroundings here. Those coming in from Bolivia will be at a particular advantage. Coming from Arica, at 2m (6.5ft) in elevation, will be a different story as the thin air thousands of meters (between 3000m and 6000m (10,000-2000ft)) above sea level makes it very difficult to breath. Again, stay hydrated and even entertain visiting a pharmacy in Arica for pills or remedies that will assist with altitude sickness.

Being prepared is one thing, but knowing how to enjoy yourself is another thing altogether. Here are some of the can’t miss places in Lauca National Park.

Pomerape Volcano

One of two of the Payachata complex, Pomerape, like its sibling Parinacota, will take you up into thin air at 6,282m (20,600ft). Upon climbing to the peak, climbers can cross over into Bolivian territory!

Pomerape Volcano

Parinacota Volcano

Less than 100 meters higher in elevation and the big brother to Pomerape, Parinacota Volcano is the most photographed volcano in the National Park and sports a perfect cone shape, with a distinct snow line and snow capped peak.

Parinacota Volcano

Putre

This little, dusty, traditional town sits about 15 kilometers (9m) outside the entrance to the National Park and is the main ‘tourist’ spot for people spending a night before or after exploring the park. Find a couple small stores here to grab food or water that you might have forgotten to buy in Arica. But with limited supplies, it is better to stock up in Arica (or La Paz if coming from Bolivia).

Putre, Chile

Chungará Lake

The 31st highest altitude lake in the world and the biggest in Lauca National Park, Chungará Lake might offer the best photo opportunity in the park. Parinacota is also visible in the background on fair weathered days.

Chungara Lake

Parinacota Town

Parinacota is one of the few villages in the national park and is a popular place for visitors to come, see a sliver of civilization and take a photo in front of the tiny and beautiful church.

Parinacota, Putre, Chile
White Walls of Parinacota | © Alberto…. / Flickr

Cotacotani Lake

An archipelago of little islands scattered in the bays and corners of the Lagoon of Cotacotani. Although neighbors with Chungará, the two do not resemble each other in any way – but the photos are beautiful all the same!

Cotacotani Lake

Taapaca

A volcano complex that resembles a ridge more than its cone-shaped counterparts Pomerape and Parinacota. On the north edge of the park, Taapaca provides shelter to the town of Putre below and provides a great background for photos of the cobblestone streets and ancient thatch roofed buildings.

Taapaca, Putre, Chile

K’isi K’isini Volcano

North of the Tambo Quemado border between Chile and Bolivia is the wide based, flat volcano of K’isi K’isini. A hotly contested volcano, it sits right on the border of Chile and Bolivia with the latter staking claim to ownership of the mountain.

K’isi K’isini Volcano

Hot Springs

End your trip in Lauca National Park perfectly with a relaxing soak in one of the natural hot springs. Chiriguaya Hot Springs, Jurasi Hot Springs or De Las Cuevas Hot Springs are all available close to the National Park to warm away weary muscles.

Jurasi Hot Springs, Putre, Chile

De Las Cuevas, Putre, Chile

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.