Altiplano Lagoons

Miscanti and Miñiques are two lagoons located over 4000m over sea level. Both are alimented by water springs that originate on the surface of the earth. This is why they attract a great variety of animals and especially flamingos. Beautiful as they are the lagoons reflect the impressive surrounding volcanoes like natural mirrors, and sometimes the intensive blue water is sprinkled with the white reflection of some snow caps on the mountains.

San Pedro de Atacama Tours

The lagoons are located about 90km from San Pedro de Atacama and 18km from Socaire. On the way you will pass the village Toconao and the Salt Lake of Atacama.

The amazing Altiplano lagoons form one of the 7 sectors that compose the National Reserve of the Flamingos. Volcanoes and mountains characterize the landscape, particularly the mountains Miscanti and Miñiques who gave the lagoons their name. You will find various species of fauna like the tagua cornuda, the Chilean flamingo, the small parina, the caito, the playero de baird, the altitude chorlo, the juarjual duck and the guallatera. The flora mainly consists of the llareta and the paja brava. Also, there are some archaeological sites in the surrounding villages.

Nearby there is the Green Lagoon, located at 4325m over sea level and 265km northeast from Copiapó. It is of an intense green color and lies in the middle of Andean mountains. Without apparent life, at its bank you can find some warm thermal waters. The lagoon is at a distance of only 21km from the Argentinian  border and close to the route Paso de San Francisco.

On one of our circuits through the Chilean Altiplano you can get to know this beautiful group of lagoons of impressive color in the highland. Miscanti and Miñiques offer contrasts of blue water and white shore where a great number of birds is nesting.