Miscanti and Miniques Lagoons

Miscanti and Miniques sit at around 4,100 metres in the Andes east of Socaire, and they were once a single lake: a lava flow from the Miniques volcano divided the basin, leaving the larger Miscanti and the small Miniques separated by a low ridge of rock. The water is deep blue against pale grass and the brown cones of Miscanti and Miniques volcanoes behind. Andean gulls, giant coots and horned coots use them, and vicuña graze the slopes around. Access is on a fixed route with viewpoints; the shoreline itself is closed to protect the nesting birds, and swimming has never been permitted.

What you actually see

• Two lakes that were one - divided by a lava flow from Miniques.
• Deep blue at over four thousand metres - against pale altiplano grass.
• Coots, Andean gulls and vicuña - the wildlife of the basin.
• A fixed route with viewpoints - the shore itself is closed.

When to go

Year round; mornings before the afternoon wind. Half a day.

Honest expectations

At 4,100 metres altitude sickness is common - acclimatise in San Pedro first. The wind gets fierce after midday. The shoreline is closed and swimming prohibited. The track is rough gravel.

Nearby

Piedras Rojas is further east; Socaire and Toconao are west.