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- The red lagoon itself: A shallow lake of about 60 square kilometers whose reddish water comes from algae and pigments. Late morning, when the wind rises, usually gives the deepest color.
- Flamingo feeding grounds: Andean, Chilean and James’s flamingos gather here in large numbers. Walk the shoreline slowly and you can hear them stirring the mud.
- White borax islands: Mineral deposits form bright white patches against the red water, making the lagoon’s best photo contrast.
- Sol de Mañana geothermal field: A high-altitude patch of boiling mud pots and hissing fumaroles, a short drive from the lake at around 4,900 meters. Keep to the marked ground, since the crust is thin and the steam is scalding.
- Polques hot springs: A natural thermal pool near the road toward Laguna Verde. A soak at dawn, with cold
- The red lagoon itself: A shallow lake of about 60 square kilometers whose reddish water comes from algae and pigments. Late morning, when the wind rises, usually gives the deepest color.
- Flamingo feeding grounds: Andean, Chilean and James’s flamingos gather here in large numbers. Walk the shoreline slowly and you can hear them stirring the mud.
- White borax islands: Mineral deposits form bright white patches against the red water, making the lagoon’s best photo contrast.
- Sol de Mañana geothermal field: A high-altitude patch of boiling mud pots and hissing fumaroles, a short drive from the lake at around 4,900 meters. Keep to the marked ground, since the crust is thin and the steam is scalding.
- Polques hot springs: A natural thermal pool near the road toward Laguna Verde. A soak at dawn, with cold air around you, is the fastest way to recover from a freezing night.
- Desierto de Siloli and the Árbol de Piedra: A wind-carved rock standing alone in a sandy plain on the route in. Tours stop here, and it is more photogenic than it sounds.
- Ramaditas and the surrounding volcanic ridges: Scenic viewpoints on the approach, good for seeing the lagoon’s full extent before you reach the shoreline.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.