Nevado Tres Cruces National Park

The park covers two sectors of high altiplano east of Copiapo: Laguna Santa Rosa at about 3,700 metres with the Salar de Maricunga beside it, and Laguna del Negro Francisco further south at around 4,100 metres, both holding large flamingo populations of all three Andean species along with vicuña and guanaco. Above them stand the Tres Cruces massif and the surrounding six-thousand-metre volcanoes, with Ojos del Salado beyond the park boundary. It is one of the least visited national parks in Chile in proportion to its size, which is a function of the distances, the altitude and the roads rather than of what is there.

The landscape

• Two high lagoon sectors - Santa Rosa and Negro Francisco.
• All three Andean flamingo species - in substantial numbers.
• Six-thousand-metre volcanoes above - the Tres Cruces massif.
• Very few visitors - for a park of this scale.

When to go

November to April, when the roads are most reliable. A full day.

Before you go

Altitude is the main issue - the park starts at 3,700 metres and goes up. Roads are rough gravel with long distances between anything. There is no fuel, food or signal. Refuges are basic and must be arranged with CONAF.

Nearby

Laguna Verde and Ojos del Salado are further east; Copiapo is west.

Key facts