Miscanti & Miñiques Lagoons
Lagunas Miscanti y Miñiques
Twin high-altitude lakes at about 4,120 m. Deep-blue water, white salt rims, golden grass and snowy peak reflections make up some of the most beautiful scenes in the Atacama.
The Miscanti and Miñiques lakes lie about 115 km south of San Pedro de Atacama, on the Altiplano at roughly 4,120 m, within Los Flamencos National Reserve. Thousands of years ago, lava flows from the Miñiques volcano split one large lake into two neighboring lakes. The larger northern lake, Miscanti, is heart-shaped, with deep blue water that is almost black and a ring of white salt crystals along its shore. Miscanti volcano (about 5,622 m) rises behind it. The smaller southern lake, Miñiques, sits in front of the volcano of the same name (about 5,910 m). Golden clumps of paja brava grass surround the lakes, and you can often see vicuñas, Andean foxes and horned coots feeding at the water's edge. A trail links the two lakes and takes about 20 to 30 minutes on foot. To protect nesting birds, visitors must stay on the designated viewing trails.
Most tours combine these lakes with Chaxa Lagoon, Toconao village and Piedras Rojas into a full-day Altiplano trip. Tours usually depart around 7 a.m. and return in the afternoon. Entry fees are collected by the local community in cash. High altitude brings strong wind and intense UV, so bring warm clothing and sun protection, and watch for altitude sickness.
Opening hours
About 08:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Socaire
- Piedras Rojas (Salar de Aguas Calientes)
- Laguna Chaxa
- Toconao
- ALMA Observatory
- Ojos del Salar
- Laguna Tebinquinche
- Laguna Cejar