Flamingos National Reserve – Chaxa Lagoon
About Flamingos National Reserve
Flamingos National Reserve (locally known as Los Flamencos National Reserve), is located within the Atacama Desert in the Antofagasta Region of Chile. The reserve covers 290 square miles and includes seven different sections. During my visit, I visited many of the sections without even realizing they were part of the actual reserve. For example, I did not realize that sub-regions of the Valle de la Luna and Lagunas Miscanti and Miñiques were part of the Flamingos National Reserve.
Those parts of my visit are covered on their own pages as I found their topography to be unique.
This section only covers my visit to Salar de Atacama, which is the largest Salt Flat in the Atacama Desert and home to the Chaxa Lagoon. To see the other regions of Flamingos National Reserve, you can go down to the related content section by clicking HERE.
Flamingos National Reserve Table of Contents
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Flamingos National Reserve - Visiting the Chaxa Lagoon
During my visit to the Atacama Desert, I went on two-day tours. The first part of my second-day tour took me to visit the Flamingos of the Chaxa Lagoon. The Chaxa Lagoon is part of the Salar de Atacama Salt Flat and has brackish water where flamingos can feed on brine shrimp.
When our tour arrived, I followed a path through a field of salt deposits to see the flamingos up close. The temperature was only a few degrees above freezing, and the flamingos were mainly in a tight pack, referred to as a “flamboyance.”
As spectacular as it was to see the flamingos, the surrounding area was just as breathtaking. The sun was rising against the salt flats, making them glimmer as the sun hit them at the right angle.
All around, it looked like there was ice on the salt flats. It was actually salt, and yes, I did taste it to make sure that it was indeed salt. Our guide explained that there is lithium under the salt flat and that the Chilean government is considering closing the park so they can harvest the lithium. He wasn’t sure if this would take place but said it was a good marketing technique to let people know that the park might not always be open.
It took over an hour of driving each way to get to the Chaxa Lagoon, and after spending about an hour exploring, we departed for the long drive to the Piedras Rojas and the Lagunas Micanti and Miñiques. You can read about that tour by clicking HERE.
Tours that Include the Chaxa Lagoon
Below are four tours that include Flamencos National Reserve. All of them include a stop at the Chaxa Lagoon. For visiting the Atacama, I recommend taking a tour. It is possible to rent a car and explore on your own, but roads can be difficult to navigate, and there is little to no cell phone service outside of San Pedro de Atacama.
I am an affiliate partner of Viator. If you book a tour using one of the links below, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider booking using one of my links.
Prices are accurate as of May 2023.
Small-Group Tour to Altiplanic lagoons, Atacama saltflat & Flamingo reserve - $79.00 San Pedro de Atacama, a laid back oasis town on the edge of the direst desert on the earth. Little adobe houses, cozy restaurant are the base to explore one of the Chile's most spectacular sceneries. |
Piedras Rojas Trekking in Atacama - $239.70 This walk is designed to enjoy the incredible landscapes offered by the Salar de Atacama basin and its high plateau. We can spend a nice day making gentle walks between salt flats and highland lagoons, passing through unique scenarios that the desert will give us. During the day we will share lunch and later a cocktail while enjoying the beautiful sunset. |
3-Day Classic Atacama - Moon Valley & Geysers del Tatio - $396.74 Venture into the Atacama Desert, one of the most hostile places in the world on a 3-day tour and skip the hassle of dealing with logistics as we take care of your Calama airport round-trip transportation. Get to know San Pedro de Atacama and explore some of Chile’s most spectacular sceneries: |
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Related Content:
Santiago, Valparaiso, and Vina Del Mar
The Atacama Desert
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