Parque Nacional Lauca in Chile
The incredible National Park in the Chilean Altiplano
Parque Nacional Lauca in the Chilean altiplano is a fascinating look at indigenous Andean culture in a contry rarely known for it.
LaucaNational Park, or Parque Nacional Lauca, on the remote Chilean altiplano in the far north of the country near the Peru and Bolivia border is one of the most popular parks in Chile and for good reason.
The area holds some fascinating sites that resemble nothing of the rest of the country. The influence of the Inca conquest is evident here, where as further south the Mapuche people kept the Incas from advancing. Aymara villages are typical here and the dress, food, customs, and look of the people are much similar to the Andean peoples of Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador than mestizo Chile. The village of Parinacota (4,392 meters above sea level) is the most visited village in the park. Consisting of just a cluster of houses and farms, buses pull up almost daily. The main attraction is the 17th century adobe church with colorful frescoes and the skulls of former priests on display. A number of souvenirs can be purchased in the town such as alpaca sweaters, coca leaves, ceramics, and various textiles.
The Feria de la Voz Andina is held every November in Putre and Parinacota, celebrating Andean dance, folklore, crafts, foods, and other traditions.
The 140,000 ha park is filled with an incredible number of interesting sites. The wildlife, for one, is spectacular. Herds of guanucos and vicuñas are found roaming the park by the dozens. The only other place you can see this site is in Torres del Paine in the extreme south of the country. Migrating waterbirds including Chilean and Andean flamingos can be seen in the many pristine mountain lakes. Small, rabbit like vizcachas, and the elusive puma may also be spotted.
The twin volcanoes of Parinacota and Pomerape (called collectively as Payachatas in Bolivia) rise majestically above Lago Chungará and are a highlight of most trips to the park. Both volcanoes are perfectly conical with snow covered peaks and the views with the like are nothing less than incredible.
Parque Nacional Lauca is located 176km east of Arica on the La Paz road. Many tour operators make the one day trip there and back, although the dramatic change in altitude from near sea level to 5000 meters causes many to get altitude sickness, otherwise known as soroche. Most vans have oxygen tanks equipped. En route to the park from Arica there is the chance to see a pre-Inca fortress, an Inca tambo, or inn, the candelabra cactus, and various strange man made rock formations on the hillsides.
Hiking is also possible in the park and a number of good trails will take you to the tops of dormant volcanoes such as Guane Guane (5,097 meters above sea level) and isolated, little visited villages.
