
🌎 Chile 🇨🇱
⭐
📍 Lejía Lake
✈️ El Loa Airport (CJC)
🚗 199.3 KM
⏱️ 2 hours, 33 minutes
Lejía Lake (Lagunas Lejía), a stunning high-altitude salt lake near San Pedro de Atacama, offers breathtaking views of vibrant waters, flamingos, and volcanoes. Due to its remote location at approximately 4,300 meters (14,100 feet) and challenging unpaved roads, a guided 4x4 tour is highly recommended for safety and navigation, making solo visits inadvisable. While generally accessible year-round, visitors must acclimatize to the high altitude regardless of the season; winter (June-August) brings colder temperatures, and summer (December-February) can have some afternoon rains. A guided day trip from San Pedro typically costs $60-$100 USD, often combined with other lagoons, with the full tour lasting 6-8 hours and about 1-2 hours spent directly at the lake. Essential tips include dressing in layers, bringing sun protection, ample water, and being prepared for the effects of altitude.