With good tourist infrastructure back in place since the pandemic, specialist tour operator Journey Latin America is delighted to offer once again holidays to Chile's Lauca National Park – a stunning, high-altitude wetland reserve teeming with wildlife, Andean culture, and snow-dipped volcanoes.

Often overshadowed by San Pedro de Atacama where tourism has boomed in recent times, Lauca National Park is among Chile's well-kept secrets. Its location is in the northernmost reaches of Chile, close to the border with Peru and Bolivia. Although just 3 hours' drive from the Pacific port of Arica, Lauca feels worlds apart, high up in the Andes at 4,600m above sea level. Much wetter than the Atacama desert, this high-altitude park springs into life with paintbox green wetlands and coarse tufted prairies. As such it is best visited during the dry season from April to November. The landscape is dotted with snow-tipped mountains and volcanoes, salt flats and lagoons of gemstone clarity. Wildlife here is copious, with grazing herds of llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and vizcachas (chinchillas) easily spotted, along with the more elusive deer, armadillos, and pumas.

Beginning in the coastal city of Arica, the 4-day journey spends the first night in the Codpa Valley (1,900m) to allow for acclimatisation before going to the mountain town of Putre (3,500m) close to Lauca National Park. Clients have the option to return to Arica on the last day or continue their journey to the extraordinary city of La Paz in Bolivia.

David Nichols, Product Manager for Journey Latin America comments, “Tourism infrastructure in the very far north of Chile has hardly changed in years and it still feels refreshingly off the beaten track. Expect some great road trips, real Andean flavour and interesting wildlife.”

A 12-day holiday to Chile visiting its capital city Santiago, the vineyards of the Central Valley, the Lake District, Torres del Paine, and Lauca National Parks starts from £5,730 per person. The price includes simple to mid-range accommodation, domestic flights in Chile, transfers, most meals, and excursions. International flights are extra.