Isluga Volcano National Park

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'll find

• 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.

Good to know

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.

Key facts