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.
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.
Day trips offer travelers private round-trip transportation to popular sightseeing locations. One of our professional drivers will pick you up in a luxurious, climate-controlled car, take you to the site of interest, and wait for you while you explore before driving you back to your hotel.
Yes! You’re free to choose the pickup and drop-off times that work best for you. However, the time spent at the destination is fixed and cannot be changed.
Each sightseeing stop has a recommended duration that includes plenty of time to explore. However, it is possible to customize the time spent at each sightseeing stop at a later stage in the booking process to best fit your unique schedule.
Your Daytrip driver will wait for you nearby for the duration of your exploration, meaning you’ll never have to wait for your return trip transportation to arrive. Your comfort and convenience are our top priorities, and we aim to close out your day trip with a return on your schedule.
The price of a day trip does not include any entrance tickets, guided tours, or meals you may partake in at your destination. The price covers round-trip transportation in a luxury vehicle with a professional driver who can provide local insights en route.
Day trip bookings can be canceled up to 24 hours before your trip for a full refund, no strings attached. While the destination and stops are predetermined, it is possible to change your pick-up point, whether it is at your hotel or some other location within the city.