Lago Chungara
Lago Chungara
4.5
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4.5
385 reviews
Excellent
305
Very good
55
Average
23
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Marta
Valdivia, Chile4 contributions
Sept 2021 • Solo
Perfect organized full day trip from the center of Iquique, through Valle de Azapa, Poconchile until wonderful Lauca National Park and Chungará Lake.
Freddie François was our tour guide, full of energy and a lot of humor! He taught us regional song and dance. Told the histories about important places on the way.
There were stops to acclimatize, where we saw the local flora and fauna. Ended up with tasty lunch in Putre.
Highly recommend!
Freddie François was our tour guide, full of energy and a lot of humor! He taught us regional song and dance. Told the histories about important places on the way.
There were stops to acclimatize, where we saw the local flora and fauna. Ended up with tasty lunch in Putre.
Highly recommend!
Written 18 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claudia M
Madrid, Spain75 contributions
Apr 2017 • Solo
If you are in Arica and have not seen altiplano lakes before, go for it, you will enjoy the view. However, if you have seen other altiplano (or even lower andean) lakes or lagunas before, this will not blow your mind. Yes, you are pretty high at 4,500m but despite the fact that it was a sunny day the colours and views were by far not as spectacular as in other places (like Piedras Rojas in San Pedro de Atacama or the Laguna del Diamante in Mendoza, Argentina). It is not a peaceful place either as it lies on the main road to Bolivia with hundreds of trucks passing by every day.
Written 1 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg M
Oldham, UK37 contributions
June 2017 • Solo
Excellent road surface and gradients make this a long but worthwhile ride over the high Andes to La Paz. You start at roughly sea level and ascend to 4680m. There were a few ripio sections on the approach to Lago Chungara. The scenery is outstanding, Parinacota and Sajama looming ominously over you. The border crossing is straight forward, make sure you take some coca leaves for the altitude! After Sajama you're on the Altiplano to La Paz, plenty of places to camp and a few hostels dotted about. Look out for the Vicuñas!
Written 1 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JoseLPalmaM
Santiago, Chile5 contributions
Oct 2015 • Solo
One of the most beautiful landscapes at the Chilean Altiplano. 4500 mts altitude. It is possible to see typical fauna all o ver the place. It is necesary to take care with the puna effects due to the altitude. If you are planning to visit this place, take a very light breakfast or meal. Drink only water. No gas sodas. Use sunglasses UV protection. Sunscreen over 50, long sleeve coat nad hat or jockey.
Written 21 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
euromnlostatsea
Aberdeen, UK161 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
Come in the morning and seek out a spot from where the volcano is reflected in part of the lake that is clear water and not covered with weed. And watch the beautiful birds (most of them are fairly shy so bring good binoculars).
Written 20 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cynthia A
Sierra Madre, CA1,753 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
We went here on an excursion from the cruise port in Arica. It akes over three hours to get there, we stopped several times to shop/pee/photos. There are some nice hadmade items cheap available for purchase. This is the only road to the port from Boliva and has been the site of many fatal wrecks as noted by the roadside shrines and cargo boxes down the hill. When we got to the lake it had a stunning view and lots of birdlife including Flamingos, which was cool. It is at an altitude in excess of 14,000 feet. We both got splitting head aches that did not abate for many hours. There are some interesting looking things in the fertile river valley, but we did not stop there. We should have stayed in Arica, nice beachs and shopping, but did this instead. 10 hours total, nine on the bus.
Written 20 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher P
Beziers, France352 contributions
Mar 2014 • Friends
Call at the CONAF office where they will provide you (free!) with an audiovisual tour of the nature walk by the lke with ideitfictions of the birds and other animals.
Written 23 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MallinaCashew
Chile24 contributions
Sept 2013 • Couples
This was a beautiful place, with many species of birds, as well as vicuñas and llamas.
A big improvement would have to be keeping the area clean of garbage, and especially telling tourists and putting up signs about disposing of garbage in bins AND NOT THE GROUND OR THE ROAD. It would also be beneficial to put up signs letting tourists know where they can and cannot walk. We saw some tour groups just walking over the bofedales and going right toward the lake, scaring llamas and birds away with their loud voices.
Definitely an excellent place to visit, but lets let CONAF and the people in the area know that the whole idea is to respect the wildlife and keep it in tact! Flora and Fauna first!
A big improvement would have to be keeping the area clean of garbage, and especially telling tourists and putting up signs about disposing of garbage in bins AND NOT THE GROUND OR THE ROAD. It would also be beneficial to put up signs letting tourists know where they can and cannot walk. We saw some tour groups just walking over the bofedales and going right toward the lake, scaring llamas and birds away with their loud voices.
Definitely an excellent place to visit, but lets let CONAF and the people in the area know that the whole idea is to respect the wildlife and keep it in tact! Flora and Fauna first!
Written 25 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue988
Nags Head, NC11 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
The road to Lago Chungara is spectacular. It is nature on a colossal scale. We had some low clouds which obscured our views a bit, but still we saw wild flamingoes and herds of vicuña. The mountains are spectacular.
The altitude is high.... Very high. I have to admit that I was not one of the lucky ones who handled the 15,000+ ft very well...... Even while being sick on the side of the road, I was in awe of the beauty around me.
The lake itself is ok. Maybe it would have been truly incredible without the low clouds. We were a little disappointed for the unfortunately placed telephone wires which need to be photoshopped out of our pictures.
There is no fee to enter the park.
The altitude is high.... Very high. I have to admit that I was not one of the lucky ones who handled the 15,000+ ft very well...... Even while being sick on the side of the road, I was in awe of the beauty around me.
The lake itself is ok. Maybe it would have been truly incredible without the low clouds. We were a little disappointed for the unfortunately placed telephone wires which need to be photoshopped out of our pictures.
There is no fee to enter the park.
Written 15 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cybersource
Florianopolis, SC38 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
One of the most scenic places I have been to. Simply wonderful. The only problem is if you are not acclimatized enough you could not feel well in the visit, therefore the importance to stay one night in Putre before going up to Chungará.
Written 1 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola, puedo subir con un auto bencinero al lago, o tendré problemas por la altura???
Gracias
Written 8 February 2022
Maite L
Madrid, Spain
Y como fuiste? Por tu ceunta o con un tour? Hay donde alojarse en Putre o algun pueblo de los de arriba??
Gracias!!!
Written 21 November 2019
Hola Maite,
Fuimos tres personas, con un chofer de una agencia, puedes encontrar este servicio desde Arica o en Putre, donde también hay varios alojamientos, yo me quedé en uno que se llama Las Vicuñas, son básicas las comodidades de los hostales.
Written 21 November 2019
Rodrigo504
Valparaiso, Chile
Hola ¿en que fecha es más conveniente subir al lago chungará?lo pregunto por un tema de clima, slds.
Written 5 July 2018
Es empfiehlt sich, bei schlechtem Wetter nicht hin zu fahren, weil die umliegenden Gipfel alle im Nebel liegen werden. Ausserdem ist es dann zu auch zu kalt, das Auto länger zu verlassen.
Written 18 August 2018
Vamos a lago sin tour, necesitamos conocer como prepararnos para evitar mal de alturas y qué lugares recomiendan visitar en el trayecto hacia el lago ... gracias !!
Written 20 July 2017
mcbr29
Santiago, Chile
Hola! Voy a Arica de vacaciones, mi hijo de 5 años podrá subir al chungara o la altura le afectará demasiado?
Written 17 July 2017
Amigo, no tendrá problemas siempre y cuando no ande corriendo, de seguro se podrá sentir mal por falta de aire, sobretodo con el metabolismo rápido de los niños. saludos y disfrute el paisaje.
Written 20 July 2017
Hi all
I will be visiting the Atacama desert in Chile in July 2017
This question is for those who have been to both the Atacama and National Park Lauca near Putre.
I was wondering, if I do the altiplanic lakes in Atacama area (e.g. Laguna Chaxa, Lagunas Miscanti & Miniques), will this be a similar experience to Lake Chungara and National Park Lauca?
In other words, if I do the altiplanic lakes in Atacama tour, is there any added value in also making the trip to Lake Chungara and National Park Lauca?
Some pictures look similar, but I thought it would be better to get an understanding from someone who has been to both places!
Written 16 May 2017
Hi, I saw both and was not very impressed by Lauca after having been to San Pedro altiplano. I actually wanted to visit the Reserva Nacional Vicunas from Putre but it was low season in May and no tours were running, guess the same would happen in July. I think that part would have been nicer than Lauca. So my advice: do the San Pedro altiplano well and you'll not miss much by not going to Lauca.
Written 30 May 2017
Hola!, es posible hacer una reserva para el 22 de abril? Como es el clima en esa época? Gracias
Written 26 March 2017
ola, funciona alugar carro simples para ir de arica a putre? as estradas sao boas? consegue visitar os principais lugares com o carro?
Written 30 October 2016
i had for about U$ 35.00 at Iquique. but tks for the tip
Written 6 August 2017
Hola Gabriel!
Me puedes decir cuánto sale más menos el tour?
Gracias!
Written 25 April 2016
Hola, yo vengo llegando de arica y fui al lago, te cuento, los tour en temporada baja, varÃan desde los $30.000.- por persona e incluyen desayuno y almuerzo, en lo personal andábamos 3 personas y me fue mucho mas barato arrendar una camioneta 4x4 por $50.000.- en EconoAutos (Rodrigo Rojas +56995450915 ) de Arica, me fui tranquilo hacia el lago Chungará y de bajada me vine recorriendo, eso fue lo que me recomendaron y lo hice, respecto a la puna, se siente la altura, hay que hidratarse y caminar tranquilo, ya que si caminas rapido o corres 10 metros, te aseguro que te faltará el aire...espero te sirva el comentario. a mi me fue muy bien con arrendar auto para moverme en la ciudad y camioneta para el lago, por eso lo recomiendo...
Written 15 May 2017
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