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Home/Countries/Chile/Nature & outdoors/Isluga Volcano National Park

Isluga Volcano National Park

Aymara villages and a smoking volcano on the Bolivian border, with a geyser field on the way in.

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WhereTarapaca Region
Nearest cityColchane about 20 km; Iquique about 250 km
Best seasonApril to November
Time to allowA full day or more
Getting thereRoute A-55 east from Huara towards the Colchane border crossing; tracks inside the park
EntryPark entry fee

The park covers about 175,000 hectares of altiplano around Isluga volcano, a 5,550 metre cone with persistent fumarole activity at the summit. Inside it are Aymara villages - Isluga with its white church, Enquelga and others - which are largely empty most of the year because families live lower down and return for festivals and for herding seasons, a pattern of seasonal occupation that is normal in the high Andes. Bofedales, the high wetland pastures, support llama and alpaca herds along with vicuña. The Puchuldiza geyser field is on the route in, and hot springs at Enquelga are used by residents.

What you actually see

  • Isluga at 5,550 metres - with persistent fumarole activity.
  • Aymara villages - occupied seasonally for festivals and herding.
  • Bofedal wetlands - the pastures the herds depend on.
  • Puchuldiza geysers - on the road in.

When to go

April to November; the summer rains close the tracks. A full day or more.

Honest expectations

Everything here is above 3,600 metres and altitude sickness is common. There are no services in the park and few in Colchane. Roads are rough. Villages are people's homes and are quiet by design, not abandoned.

Nearby

Colchane and the Bolivian border are east; Salar de Surire is north.

What to pack for Isluga Volcano National Park

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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

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