Lauca National Park Circuit

At 4,500 meters above sea level, the Lauca Circuit punches you in the gut with altitude while serving up some of the most pristine Andean wilderness in Chile. This remote loop winds through Lauca National Park, skirting the base of Parinacota Volcano and crossing the altiplano where vicuñas graze among flamingo-filled lakes. The route connects Putre to the Bolivian border via rough volcanic tracks, with Lake Chungará as the crown jewel — a mirror-perfect alpine lake reflecting snow-capped peaks.

This is serious high-altitude driving that’ll test both you and your rig. Stock 4WD with decent ground clearance handles most sections, but the thin air kills power and can drop unprepared drivers. May through September offers the best weather, though nights hit freezing year-round. Fuel up in Putre — it’s your last reliable stop. Pack extra water, coca leaves for altitude, and camping gear for dispersed sites around the lakes. The payoff is Chile’s most untouched corner, where condors soar overhead and the only traffic is llama herds.