Lauca National Park
Lauca is a national park of Chile, located in the Arica y Parinacota region on an area of 1,379 km2. The park is known for its small lake area formed by Lake Chungara and surrounding lakes. Together with the neighboring Las Vicunas National Park, it forms the Lauca Biosphere Reserve. Nearby is the Bolivian Sahama National Park.
The Guagliatiri and Akotango volcanoes, each over 6 km high, as well as other volcanoes, craters, and lava fields can also be found in the park. The most picturesque place of the park is Lake Chungara, which occupies an area of 21.5 km2 at an altitude of almost 4,500 meters. It is surrounded by extinct volcanoes with snow caps, which gives the area its own flavor.
The first people settled Lauca National Park 9,000 years ago, as evidenced by the archaeological finds found in the caves of Chacous Inca, Las Cuevas and Las Cuevas. The campfires of the first people and household items were discovered in the park. The indigenous inhabitants of these places are the Aymara Indian tribe, who have lived here for centuries and preserved the traditions of their great-grandfathers. They mainly farm livestock and often arrange pagan celebrations. The villages of Parinakota and Chukuyo are noteworthy, the first was built in the 17th century from volcanic rock, and the second is interesting for its houses made of unfired bricks with a thatched roof.
The lakes of Lauka Park are favored by pink flamingos, certainly not such huge flocks on Lake Nakuru or Manyara. In addition to flamingos, you can meet llamas, tarucas, cougars, alpacas, guanacos, Andean geese, ibises, giant coots, Andean condors, and silver grebes. The flora of Lauka National Park has adapted well to the harsh climate, with over 400 different plants growing in Laika Park.
The mountainous terrain has a great influence on the climate. In summer, the temperature in Lauka Park is kept at 12-20 °C, in winter 0-5 °C. It is best to go here in September - December or in March - May, when it is dry and warm here. The tourist center of the park is located 20 km from Lake Chungara in a place called Parinakote, here you can get all the necessary information. Recreation areas have been set up near Lake Chungara. In your free time, you can go fishing, hiking, and mountaineering.
