Chungará Lake, High mountain lake in Arica y Parinacota Region, Chile.
Located within Lauca National Park at 4,517 meters elevation, Chungará Lake spans 21.5 square kilometers with a depth of 33 meters.
The lake formed between 8,000 and 17,000 years ago when debris from the collapsed Parinacota volcano dammed the Lauca River.
The name derives from Aymara language, where Chunkha means bearded, connected to tales of a bearded man who affected local communities.
Visitors must fill fuel tanks in Arica as no gas stations exist along the route, and the high altitude requires vehicle preparation.
The lake provides habitats for Chilean flamingos, alpacas, vicuñas, and pumas against a background of snow-covered volcanic peaks.
Location: Arica y Parinacota Region
Elevation above the sea: 4,570 m
GPS coordinates: -18.24250,-69.15250
Latest update: May 27, 2025 10:01
Chile stretches over 2,670 miles (4,300 kilometers) from north to south, crossing some of South America's most varied landscapes. The north features the Atacama Desert with its salt flats, geysers at El Tatio, and astronomical observatories such as Paranal. The coastal city of Valparaíso displays colonial architecture on steep hillsides, while the abandoned nitrate mining towns of Humberstone and Sewell recall the country's industrial past. The Andean region includes active volcanoes like Villarrica and Osorno, and Lauca National Park with Lake Chungará at over 14,760 feet (4,500 meters) elevation. The Lake District and Patagonia offer extensive forests, glaciers, and fjords. Torres del Paine National Park attracts hikers with its granite peaks and Grey Glacier. Lake General Carrera on the Argentine border shows turquoise waters, while Queulat and Bernardo O'Higgins national parks preserve remote wilderness. Chiloé Island is known for its wooden churches and traditional architecture. Further south, Puerto Williams on Navarino Island marks one of the world's southernmost settlements. Easter Island sits 2,300 miles (3,700 kilometers) west of the coast in the Pacific, displaying over 900 moai statues from its Polynesian past. The Juan Fernández Archipelago, also in the Pacific, offers endemic flora and fauna. In central Chile, ski resorts like Valle Nevado provide winter sports in the Andes, while the Elqui Valley is recognized for pisco production and clear night skies. Santiago, the capital, sits in an Andean valley and serves as a starting point for trips to surrounding national parks such as La Campana.
Nevado Sajama
32.2 km
Sajama National Park
30.6 km
Lauca National Park
15 km
Parinacota
8.9 km
Guallatiri, Chile
20.9 km
Taapaca
40.2 km
Pomerape
13 km
Acotango
19.1 km
Las Vicuñas National Reserve
43.8 km
Parinacota church
13 km
Chua Chuani
43.3 km
Lauca
35.9 km
Volcán Capurata
22.4 km
Uqi Uqini
15.1 km
Mount Laram Q'awa
24.9 km
Umurata
15.4 km
Tambo de Chungará
5.7 km
Qullqi Warani
21.2 km
Phaq'u Q'awa (Sajama)
18.9 km
Iglesia de San Andrés Apostol de Pachama
44.8 km
Kunturiri
23.8 km
Iglesia de la Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción de Guallatire
28.5 km
Jisk'a Kunturiri
25.9 km
Iglesia de San Ildefonso, Putre
43.3 km
Wila Qullu (Curahuara de Carangas)
16 km
Pumuta
27.5 km
Termes de Jurasi
38.1 km
Pueblo de Parinacota
13 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes