- Address: Putre, Arica-e-Parinacota, Chile;
- Area: 1,379 km ²;
- Phone: +56 58 258 5704;
- Date of Establishment: 1970.
The Lauka National Park is very popular among tourists who found themselves in Chile . It has a very interesting location, the reserve is in the area of Arica and Parinacota (northern part of Chile). The area is characterized by many picturesque objects - the Andean mountains, the Lauka River, from which the park got its name.
Natural attractions of the park
The park occupies a huge area, which is 1379 square meters. km and is located at an altitude of more than 4500 m above sea level. Due to its uniqueness, it received the status of the World Reserve of the Biosphere, assigned to it by UNESCO. It has a huge amount of natural resources, the most famous sights include:
- volcanoes - Gualalti , whose height reaches 6 thousand meters, Akotango, it is lower than the previous only by 20 m. The volcanoes of Parinacota and Pomerapa are very popular among tourists; they are called the twins of Paiachatas;
- lakes - Chungara and Kotakotani , they are stretched among the mountain peaks covered with snow, and represent a stunning spectacle. The reservoirs are separated from each other by only a small piece of land. Here you can go for a walk on the lakes or go fishing;
- caves Chakus Inkaiko and Las Cuevas , which are famous for the presence of thermal waters in them;
- Lauka National Park is characterized by extremely rich flora and fauna, about 400 plant species grow here and about 140 species of birds live. It is full of exotic animals, among which you can list alpaca, vicuña, whiskaci, guanaco, tinama, lama and puma. Among the birds, you can name a giant coot, a Andean goose, a Chilean pink flamingo, a mountain ibis, an Andean condor, a chiroka. Representatives of the fauna are not at all afraid of people, and they can even be fed from their hands.
Historical places of interest
Lauka National Park in Chile is known not only for its natural sites, but also for historical and archaeological sites. The most famous of them are:
- Ancient Inca settlement , located on the way to the reserve. Here is the oldest church, built in the 17th century;
- Pucara de Copacillia is a citadel, founded in the 12th century;
- The town of Parinacota , famous for its colonial church and bizarre houses;
- traces of settlements of ancient people , revealed in Tambo Kemado, in the caves Las Cuevas and Chakus Inkaiko. In this area you can meet the keepers of ancient traditions - descendants of the Indian tribe Aimar.
How to get to the park?
The starting point for reaching the Lauka National Park is the capital of the country of Santiago . From here you can fly to Arica . Next you will need to follow the bus to the town of Parinacota. Another option is to get from here by car along the CH-11 highway, the distance to the park will be 145 km.