Iquique: Red Lagoon Tour｜Chile

Discover the Red Lagoon on this day trip from Iquique. En route, you'll visit Quebrada Camina to view the petroglyphs and pictographs of Chillaiza and learn about the Inca caravan routes. Upon arrival at the Red Lagoon, you can capture stunning photos and listen to additional tales from your guide. Additionally, you'll pass by the green and yellow lagoons.

Begin the Red Lagoon Tour from Arica towards the high plateau mountain range, next to two small green and yellow lagoons.

The reason why the Red Lagoon has this color is unknown, as is its depth. It has also been suggested that the color could be due to minerals or microalgae, but what is certain is that the clay bottom gives it its intense color.

To get to this place, you will leave Iquique along route A-16, to take route 5 north, passing near the nitrate mines and then passing the Huara intersection towards the commune of Camiña. In that place, you can see the petroglyphs and pictographs of Chillaiza, associated with the caravan routes that the inhabitants of the Inca empire followed. Then, you will arrive at Camiña, where you will have breakfast and prepare for the next stage of the trip.

Next, you will follow the road to the Red Lagoon, which is suitable for 4×4 vehicles.

The Red Lagoon is located at 3700 meters above sea level. Here you can tour and take photographs, as your guide explains some data and details of its legend. Similarly, you will visit the nearby green and yellow lagoons.

Then, you will return to Camiña for lunch, where you can talk with locals. This place is recognized for its agricultural products such as garlic, carrots, corn, and many vegetables.

After taking a tour of the town you continue on the way back to Iquique, where the red lagoon tour ends.