Lauca, Biosphere reserve in Arica y Parinacota Region, Chile
Lauca is a national park in the high Andes displaying volcanic peaks, emerald lakes, and expansive high-altitude plateaus. The landscape combines barren volcanic slopes with grassy plains and scattered vegetation adapted to the thin air and intense sunlight.
The park was established in 1970 and later connected with other protected areas to form a unified conservation zone in the northern Andes. This integration created one large protected territory for the highland ecosystems and the animals that depend on them.
Parinacota village maintains traditional Andean ways with its white colonial church at the center, which continues to serve the mountain communities who live in this remote landscape.
The best time to visit is between May and September when weather is most stable and roads remain passable. Visitors should prepare for high altitude, freezing nights, strong sun exposure, and plan for several hours of driving from the coast.
Flamingos and guanacos roam regularly across the lakes and plateaus, allowing visitors to watch these wild animals in their natural habitat. The park offers one of the best opportunities in the region to see high-altitude wildlife up close.
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