Salar de Surire
A white salt flat at 4,200 metres, home to three species of flamingo, with hot springs nearby. Reaching it requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle across the Las Vicuñas reserve.
The Salar de Surire Natural Monument lies about 120 km southeast of Putre. The route passes through Las Vicuñas National Reserve. Flocks of Chilean, Andean, and James's flamingos gather on the salt crust of the lake, and on the southern shore you can soak in the Polloquere hot springs. The roads are gravel and dirt, so you need a four-wheel-drive vehicle or a 2- to 3-day highland tour, and there is almost no supply along the way. It is best to spend a night in Putre before setting out.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Pukará de Copaquilla
- Lluta Valley Geoglyphs
- San Miguel de Azapa Archaeological Museum
- Presencias Tutelares
- Azapa Valley Geoglyphs
- Playa Chinchorro
- Cuevas de Anzota
- Cathedral of San Marcos