Lauca National Park

Top Attractions in Lauca National Park

Lauca National Park Essentials

Lauca National Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Chilean Altiplano, situated between 3,000 and 6,300 meters above sea level. This high-altitude landscape is dominated by the Payachata twin volcanoes—Parinacota and Pomerape—and Lake Chungará, one of the world's highest navigable lakes. The park protects vast bofedales (wetlands) that provide habitat for vicuñas, viscachas, and Andean flamingos. Cultural highlights include 17th-century colonial architecture in the village of Parinacota.

Lauca National Park Essentials — Map

Bachelot Pierre J-P / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Lake Chungará

Chungará is a lake situated in the extreme north of Chile at an elevation of 4,517 metres, in the Altiplano of Arica y Parinacota Region…

Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Parinacota

Parinacota, Parina Quta or Parinaquta is a dormant stratovolcano on the border of Bolivia and Chile.

Alexson Scheppa Peisino(AlexSP) / Public domain

C

Cotacotani Lake

Laguna de Cotacotani or Quta Qutani is a lake located in the Andean Altiplano of the Parinacota Province, Arica-Parinacota Region, Chile.

Claire Provost / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Lauca National Park

Lauca National Park is in Chile's far north, in the Andean range. It encompasses an area of 1,379 km2 of altiplano and mountains, the latter…

E

Iglesia Natividad de María

A 17th-century colonial church built from volcanic stone and adobe. It features a traditional thatched roof and historic Andean-Baroque frescoes depicting religious scenes.

F

Pomerape

Pomerape is a stratovolcano lying on the border of northern Chile and Bolivia.

G

Lookout of Laguna Cotacotani and Volcán Parinacota

Elevated vantage point offering panoramic views across the interconnected lagoons of Cotacotani and the symmetrical snow-capped cone of the Parinacota volcano.

H

Mirador Lago Chungará (PN Lauca)

Observation point providing clear views of Lake Chungará and the reflections of the Payachata volcanoes on its surface.

I

Bofedal de Parinacota

A high-altitude wetland ecosystem that serves as a primary grazing ground for vicuñas and llamas, and a nesting site for numerous Andean bird species.

J

Mirador Alero Rocoso de las Cuevas

A rocky outcrop and shelter located at approximately 4,300 meters, offering views of the surrounding Altiplano and opportunities to spot local viscachas.

K

Guallatiri

One of the most active stratovolcanoes in northern Chile, reaching an elevation of 6,071 meters. It is characterized by persistent fumarolic activity near its summit.