Laguna Miscanti and Laguna Miñiques

These are two altiplanic bodies of water in Chile, located above 4100 metres above sea level. They are on the way to the Sico Pass, within the boundaries of the Los Flamencos National Reserve. Both are close to each other, in fact they were originally a single laguna (like a lake) that was separated in two by a lava flow from a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago:
- The Laguna Miscanti lies at the foot of the rightly named Miscanti volcano at 5622 metres above sea level. From its shore you can also see the 5778 metres high volcano Chiliques, unmistakable because of its almost perfect conical shape.
- The Laguna Miñiques has less surface area and is at the foot of the volcano that bears its name (Miñiques) at 5910 metres above sea level.

To get there, take Route 23 on the way to the Sico pass. About 20 km from Socaire or 108 km from San Pedro de Atacama, a dirt road leads off. It is 6.5 km to Miscanti and 2.2 km more (8.7 km in total) to Miñiques.

First you reach a park ranger's office and a little further on there are some toilets. When you reach the Miscanti area there is a place to park vehicles, from where a long path leads off that allows you to get close to and around the body of water. You continue along the vehicle road for a couple of kilometres more to reach the Miñiques, which also has a parking area next to a site that has excellent views of the Laguna Miñiques. From there there is a 250 metre long path that leads to a viewpoint.

For those interested in bird watching, this is a site where you can see the endangered horned coot (Fulica cornuta).