Things to see in Chile and Easter Island: Lauca National Park
Along with the adjacent National Vicuna Reserve and Surire saltflat (a Ramsar site), this spectacular northern area of puna (dry, high altitude grassland plain) and giant volcanoes ranges from 3,200 to 6,348 metres in altitude. Temperatures oscillate between -10C at night and 20C by day, and rainfall is rare.
This harsh environment supports many plants, but few mammals except guanaco, alpaca and vicuna, Andean deer, vizcacha, red fox and armadillo. Puma are present but rarely seen. Crested duck, puna teal, giant coot, silvery grebe, black-crowned night heron, puna ibis, avocet, puna tinamou, Andean goose and the three species of flamingo found in Chile live around the lakes, making this one of the best parks for birding.
Other things to see in Chile and Easter Island
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Atacama Desert & the Altiplano
Chile's northern desert comprises virtually lifeless coastal plains dissected by dramatic, deep…
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Chiloe Island
Just south of Puerto Montt, this fertile island lives from farming, fishing and …
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Easter Island
Rapa Nui, as it is known locally, is a small triangle of volcanic rock in mid-Pacific, around…
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Lauca National Park
Along with the adjacent National Vicuna Reserve and Surire salflat (a Ramsar site), this…
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Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan
The Chilean portion of Patagonia, which extends across South America's southern tip, is called…
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Robinson Crusoe Island
Juan Fernández is a fascinating volcanic archipelago situated 1,500 kilometres off the…
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The Lake District
Four adjacent national parks, Vicente Perez Rosales and Puyehue in Chile, plus Nahuel Huapi and…
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Torres del Paine
Chilean Patagonia's premier attraction is a wonderfully scenic mix of craggy peaks, glacial lakes,…
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Valparaiso
The main port and one of the oldest cities in Chile, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is only 120…
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Places to stay in Chile and Easter Island
Atacama Desert & the Altiplano
Awasi [High]
![Lauca National Park - Atacama Desert & the Altiplano - Awasi [High]](/image_database/75x75C/CLSCLSCATACAMA001.jpg)
Awasi is a luxurious oasis in the… More
Hotel Alto Atacama [High]
![Lauca National Park - Atacama Desert & the Altiplano - Hotel Alto Atacama [High]](/image_database/75x75C/Alto_Atacama_Lagoon_and_Catarpe_rooms.jpg)
Located in the fertile Catarpe valley, this luxurious hotel is only three kilometres from town, but… More
Chiloe Island
Hosteria de Castro [Mid]
![Lauca National Park - Chiloe Island - Hosteria de Castro [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/Chilean_Flamingo_Patagonia_credit_Claudio_Vidal.jpg)
Located in Chiloe's main centre, Castro, Hosteria de Castro has modern accommodation and good… More
Easter Island
Altiplanico Rapa Nui Hotel [High]
![Lauca National Park - Easter Island - Altiplanico Rapa Nui Hotel [High]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_easter_island_chile5.jpg)
The hotel boasts lovely views of the coast, and is set in 1.5 hectares of tranquil gardens,… More
O'tai Hotel [Mid]
This is a mid-sized family-run hotel with a cosy and homely… More
Lauca National Park
Hosteria Las Vicunas [Mid]
![Lauca National Park - Lauca National Park - Hosteria Las Vicunas [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/19_PERU08ES_Vicuna.jpg)
Located in Putre, this is a rustic hosteria, which provides a good base from which to explore the… More
Hotel El Paso [Mid]
![Lauca National Park - Lauca National Park - Hotel El Paso [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/chile_Puma_Torres_del_Paine_credit_Claudio_Vidal.jpg)
Centrally located, this hotel offers a nice environment in which to stay and is close to Arica's… More
Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan
Eco-camp Carlos III Scientific Campsite [Mid]
![Lauca National Park - Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - Eco-camp Carlos III Scientific Campsite [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/Carlos_III_Scientific.jpg)
Within the marine reserve on Carlos III Island, this tiny eco-camp accommodates only ten people in… More
MV Mare and Via Australis [Mid]
![Lauca National Park - Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - MV Mare and Via Australis [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/Chile_Magellanic_Penguin_Patagonia_credit_Claudio_Vidal.jpg)
Sailing from Punta Arenas between September and mid-April, the boats Mare and Via Australis sail… More
San Isidro Lodge [Mid]
![Lauca National Park - Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - San Isidro Lodge [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/chile_Peales_Dolphin_StraitofMagellan_credit_Claudio_Vidal.jpg)
This small, intimate lodge is located at the site of Chile's southern-most… More
Puerto Bories
The Singular Patagonia
A stunning, award-winning, luxury hotel that blends old and new in a triumph of design, and has… More
Santiago
Galerias Hotel [Mid]
![Lauca National Park - Santiago - Galerias Hotel [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_galerias_hotel_santiago_chile.jpg)
The Galerías Hotel offers excellent services in a lovely historic setting in downtown… More
Hotel Rugendas [Mid]
![Lauca National Park - Santiago - Hotel Rugendas [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_classic_south_am_condor1.jpg)
Hotel Rugendas is a boutique style hotel in a quiet location, which is tastefully… More
W Hotel [High]
For ultimate luxury, we recommend the new W Hotel. It's unique in its design and is a good… More
Torres del Paine
EcoCamp - suite domes [Mid]
![Lauca National Park - Torres del Paine - EcoCamp - suite domes [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/Suite_Dome.jpg)
Designed to withstand the elements, provide warmth and comfort, and minimise environmental impact. … More
Hosteria Las Torres [High]
![Lauca National Park - Torres del Paine - Hosteria Las Torres [High]](/image_database/75x75C/CLSCLParen_Torres_del_Paine2.jpg)
Las Torres sits in the heart of Chilean Patagonia and enjoys beautiful views over the snow-capped… More
Valparaiso
Zero Hotel [High]
![Lauca National Park - Valparaiso - Zero Hotel [High]](/image_database/75x75C/Chile_Inca_Tern_Northern_Chile_credit_Claudio_Vidal.jpg)
Facing the Pacific Ocean, this beautiful property affords wonderful views - perfect from dawn to… More
