Arica to Lauca National Park: Private day trip
Private ride with a local driver
9h 45mRound tripPrivate driver
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About your trip
Embrace the magic of the high-altitude Lauca National Park, home to twin volcanoes, mystical lagoons, and vibrant wildlife such as flamingos.
Exclusively yours: private vehicle and professional driver
Discover local insights you won't find in guidebooks
Experience the freedom to explore at your own speed
Perfectly planned for families, friends, or solo travelers
What to expect
Your day trip begins wherever you are
Meet our professional driver right where you prefer in Arica whenever suits you best. No time wasted getting to the pickup point, grab your bag and start your trip right away.Discover more with local expertise
Your driver’s local insights will set the tone for your day trip. A hidden café here, a must-try restaurant there; insider tips you’ll love sharing later. This isn’t a guided tour but your ride will be rich with stories and discoveries along the way. And throughout the day, your driver will be available for you as needed, ready to assist, happy to help, making your trip stress-free.Explore at your own pace
Enjoy a convenient round-trip journey from Arica to Lauca National Park, where you'll have the flexibility to explore on your own before rejoining your driver to head back to Arica.
Perfect for any private group
Whether you're traveling solo, as a family with kids, or as a large group, this service is tailored for your comfort and flexibility. It's the ideal option especially if you have limited time or a busy schedule.Good to know
- Two-way private car transfer
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Personalized pickup and drop-off
- Professional English-speaking driver
- Complimentary bottled water
- Free cancellation 24 hours before departure
- Entry/Admission tickets to paid attractions Lauca National Park should be purchased separately unless specified otherwise
- Meals, snacks, and gratuity are not included
From €85
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotal€254
Your trip at a glance
Your trip at a glance
Start in Arica
You choose the pickup spot.
1
Lauca National Park
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 4 hours - admission not included
Seek adventure in the globally recognized biosphere of Lauca National Park, featuring one of the highest lakes in the world and over 130 bird species.
Main attractions
- Chungara Lake, one of the highest in the world, a picturesque lake that offers panoramic views of the park's impressive volcanoes
- Parinacota Volcano, perfectly cone-shaped and ideal as a backdrop for wildlife photography
- Cotacotani Lagoons, near the Chungara lake, an array of glistening lagoons nestled into the volcanic landscape, a hotspot for wildlife
Take note
- Always prepare for hiking adventures with sturdy walking boots, extra layers, sun protection, and plenty of water and snacks
Back to Arica
We’ll take you back to your starting point.
Duration of the stops can be changed upon request after booking
Have questions or need help?Contact our Customer Support. We are available 24/7
Daytrip is loved all around the world. Here's why.
Know more about your day trip
Lauca is managed by Chile's national forestry agency, CONAF, and visitors register at ranger stations along the way. There is no large general admission fee, though donations may be requested at certain sites. Some specific activities or guided tours, such as flamingo watching at remote lakes, may have additional costs. It helps to bring small Chilean pesos and your passport for any checkpoints.
Lauca sits at very high elevation, so altitude sickness is a real concern. Spend a day or two in Arica or Putre acclimatizing if possible, drink plenty of water, eat lightly before the trip, and avoid alcohol the night before. Coca tea, often served along the route, can help with mild symptoms. Travelers with heart, lung, or blood pressure conditions should check with a doctor before going.
Lauca National Park is about 100 miles (160 km) east of Arica, with a typical drive of around 3 hours each way. The road climbs steadily from sea level into the high Andes, ending above 14,000 feet (4,300 m). Your private driver knows the route and pacing well, which is important when ascending so quickly into thin mountain air.
Lauca is suitable for older children, teens, and most healthy adults, but altitude makes it more demanding than a typical national park. Young children, pregnant travelers, and people with heart, lung, or circulation conditions should consult a doctor before booking. With a private driver, you can pause as needed for rest and photos and shorten the day if anyone feels unwell.
Highlights include Chungara Lake, one of the highest lakes in the world, with mirror-like reflections of Parinacota Volcano, the Cotacotani Lagoons, and the small Aymara village of Parinacota. You can also spot vicunas, alpacas, llamas, viscachas, and flamingos on the lakes. Most stops involve short walks at altitude rather than long hikes, since exertion is harder in the thin air.
The Altiplano dry season, roughly May through November, offers the most reliable weather and clearest mountain views, with sunny days and very cold nights. The "Bolivian winter" rainy season, December through March, brings dramatic clouds, occasional snow, and richer wildlife activity, but some roads can become difficult. Year-round, the air is dry and very cold once the sun goes down.
Dress in layers, including a warm jacket, hat, gloves, and a windproof outer shell, as conditions can be very cold and windy even in summer. Sturdy shoes, strong sun protection, lip balm, and sunglasses are essential at altitude. Bring water, snacks, and any altitude sickness medication you may need. A camera with extra batteries is wise, since cold drains batteries quickly.
Lauca is famous for high-Andean wildlife, including herds of vicunas, domesticated alpacas and llamas around villages, and viscachas resting on rocky outcrops. Birdlife includes Andean condors soaring above the cliffs, James's, Andean, and Chilean flamingos on the lagoons, Andean geese, and giant coots. Patient watchers may also spot foxes and the rare Andean cat at distance.
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