Laguna Chaxa

Information

It is a laguna (like a lake) located in the middle of the Atacama Salt Flat, which has a high concentration of salt. It is about 2300 metres above sea level and belongs to the Los Flamencos National Reserve.

To get there from San Pedro de Atacama, you first drive 39 km to Toconao on Route 23. Cross the town and follow the road for about 3 km more, where a dirt and salt road leads off to the right. When I was there, this road was well signposted and could be travelled without any problems. It is 22 km to the entrance to the area.

The Laguna Chaxa is shallow and is in the middle of salt deposits with little vegetation. The place has trails to walk around it.

Undoubtedly a great attraction is the presence of flamingos, mainly of the Andean flamingo species (Phoenicoparrus andinus), which can be seen at a very short distance. In addition, birds such as the Andean avocet (Recurvirostra andina), Puna plover (Charadrius alticola) and Baird's sandpiper (Calidris bairdii) are frequently observed. It is surprising to see the occasional Andean akodont (Abrothrix andinus) on some of the footpaths.