Lauca National Park
The Lauca National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Lauca ) is the northernmost national park in Chile and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
Location
It starts about 12 km east of the village of Putre in the Región de Arica y Parinacota, Provincia de Arica, close to the border with Bolivia and comprises around 1,300 square kilometers. The administrative headquarters is located in Parinacota.
Climate
On the day it is relatively pleasant with 5-20 ° C, the nights, however, are often very cold ( down to -15 ° C). The highlands are dry grassland, but also more humid areas. The extreme height of the park and the thin mountain air can lead to physical symptoms in park visitors.
Topography
The National Park is dominated by the Andes mountain range. Huge mountains and volcanoes with up to 6300 m surrounded the park. Striking are the many volcanoes, usually a six thousand.
- Volcán Parinacota with 6342 m height
- Volcán Pomerape with 6286 m height
- Volcán Guallatire with 6071 m height
- Cerro Acotango with 6052 m height
In the vicinity of the volcanoes of Lago Chungará lies on 4520 m height. The 21 km ² lake is one of the highest lakes in the world. In Jurasi you can visit the hot springs and more information at the Indian village of Parinacota about the culture of the natives. Other attractions include climbing and fishing trips. The park is managed by the CONAF, the Chilean Forest Service. From the Laguna Parinacota is removed with a channel water towards the dry coastal region. The main rivers are the Río Lauca and the Río Lluta.
Wildlife
The National Park offers an abundance of wildlife, including, for example, guanaco, vicuña and fork deer. In addition, around 140 species of birds live in the park, which is located at altitudes between 4000 and 6000 m altitude. Andean condors, pumas and Vizcachas are other residents of the park.
In the south of the adjacent protected area Reserva Nacional Las vicuña ( again 2000 square kilometers) is the great salt lake Salar de Surire to 4245 m with its thermal springs. Here you can watch flamingos, vicuña and llama. The Monumento Natural Salar de Surire was established in 1983 and covers approximately 175 km ².
Pictures
Guanaco in Lauca National Park
Views over Lake Chungará at sunrise
Alpacas with hoarfrost on the back
Street sign