Lake Chungara (in Aymara ch'unkara, which means "moss on the stone") can be compared to one of the seven wonders of the world, it really is an amazing place.

One of the highest navigable lake in the world situated at an altitude of 4500 meters, its area - 21, 5 sq km, depth - 33 m. The lake Chungara was formed 8,000 years ago, when a volcanic eruption Parinacota (6348 m) was the ejection of 6 cu .km magma, which blocked drainage system, creating a lake.

To see Lake Chungara, you can start your journey through the valley of the Lute and see the geoglyphs Valley. Go through the village Pokonchile where you can see the church of St. Jerome, built in 1605 from limestone, with two spiers, and attached later, and the cemetery of the colonial era.

At an altitude of 2000 meters grow "candelabra" cacti, which are typical for this area. At an altitude of 3000 meters you can see the archaeological site of Pucara de Kapakuilla (Quechua: qupaqilla means "ashen dust"), dating from the XII century, it was declared a National Monument of Chile in 1983. After possible to see another archeological site - a dairy farm Zapayura (in Aymara Jawira Zapa, which means "lonely river"), he also declared a national monument in 1983. Go and see a small town Sokoroma his adobe church of San Francisco (32 m) was built in 1560. Inside the church - the altar of adobe and stone, four images with a crown of silver, a large number of frescoes on the walls and ancient art objects - for example, eagle wood, used as a candlestick.

Climbing up to the lake, you can see the panoramic view of the capital of the province of Parinacota. Go through the Lauca National Park, where there are a variety of animals and birds: llama, alpaca, vicuna, flamingos, coot, cougar, grouse Pune, condors and others.

On the shores of Lake Chungara magnificent landscape on the volcano Parinacota - the perfect conditions for rest and observation of the natural environment, combined with a beautiful landscape.

On the shore of the lake there are wetlands. Chungara has a unique and diverse fauna of the more than 130 native species in the first place, it's flamingos and ducks. His usual water catfish (Trichomycterus chungarensis) and carp (Orestias chungarensis), which are endemic to Lake Chungara.

The climate on the coast of the lake - the high desert, with great temperature differences per day: the average temperature during the day and 12-20 ° C from + 3 ° C to minus 25 ° C at night.

During the descent, you can go to the town of Putre (capital of the province of Parinacota), see its main square, the church of the XVII century, walk down the street O'Higgins, where bridges and benches are made of stone. Some houses of the town have retained their original appearance from the XVII century, the door and window sills are made of carved stone. However, now many of the buildings - mostly built XIX century colonial architecture. If you have to travel to the month of February, you can get to a traditional festival - Festive Carnival Putre.