Laguna Cejar
Atacama
Laguna Cejar is a saline lake located within the Salar de Atacama, the largest salt flat in Chile, positioned about 18 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama. This natural feature is renowned for its exceptionally high salt concentration, ranging from 5 to 28%, which creates a buoyant environment similar to the Dead Sea, allowing visitors to float effortlessly on its surface. Surrounded by vast salt flats and framed by the imposing Andes mountains and volcanoes such as Licancabur, the lake offers breathtaking emerald and blue hues that contrast with the arid desert landscape. The area holds ecological significance as a wetland sustained by both underground and surface water, supporting diverse species including reptiles, birds, and insects, despite the challenges posed by climate change. The indigenous Atacameño people historically enhanced the ecosystem by engineering water channels to expand wetland areas, a traditional technique known as "regar el agua." Laguna Cejar is accessible via two main routes from San Pedro de Atacama, with the more commonly used road spanning 28 kilometers. Its unique combination of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and ecological importance makes Laguna Cejar a captivating destination for travelers seeking both relaxation and connection with the desert environment.
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Consejo: The best time to visit Laguna Cejar is during the dry season when the skies are clearest, enhancing the vivid colors of the lake and surrounding salt flats. Visitors are advised to purchase tickets in advance through the official website to ensure entry. There are two main routes to reach Laguna Cejar from San Pedro de Atacama: the frequently used Ruta 23, covering 28 kilometers, and a shorter 18-kilometer interior path through local indigenous communities, which may vary in condition depending on weather. Due to the high salinity, avoid shaving or applying sunscreen before entering the water to protect your skin. Respect local conservation efforts and traditional water management practices that support the wetland's biodiversity.
Datos interesantes
- •Laguna Cejar's salt concentration can reach up to 28%, enabling visitors to float effortlessly, similar to the Dead Sea.
- •The lake is located within the Salar de Atacama, the third largest salt flat in the world.
- •The indigenous Atacameño people historically created water channels to increase the wetland area, a technique called "regar el agua."
- •The surrounding landscape features prominent volcanoes including Licancabur, which frames the lake's stunning views.
- •Despite the harsh desert environment, Laguna Cejar supports diverse wildlife thanks to its wetland ecosystem sustained by underground and surface water.
Historia
Laguna Cejar is situated within the Salar de Atacama basin, a geological depression formed by tectonic and volcanic activity over millions of years.
The salt flat itself has evolved as a subsiding sedimentary basin influenced by the Andes mountain range and volcanic formations dating back to the Cambrian and Ordovician periods.
The indigenous Likan Antay people have inhabited the region for centuries, developing traditional water management techniques to sustain the wetlands and biodiversity.
Over time, the area has gained prominence not only for its natural beauty but also as part of Chile's lithium-rich salt flats, which have significant economic importance.
Despite environmental challenges like climate change, the preservation of ancestral practices continues to play a crucial role in maintaining Laguna Cejar's ecosystem.
Guía del lugar
Floating Experience at Laguna Cejar
The lake's extreme salinity creates a unique buoyancy effect, allowing visitors to float effortlessly on its surface, providing a relaxing and memorable experience against the backdrop of the Andes and Licancabur volcano.
Surrounding Salt Flats and Landscape
The vast white salt flats surrounding Laguna Cejar extend across the Salar de Atacama, contrasting vividly with the blue and emerald waters of the lake and framed by the towering Andes mountains and volcanoes.
Traditional Water Management Channels
The Atacameño people's ancestral technique of "regar el agua" involves digging channels to direct water flow, expanding the wetland area and promoting biodiversity in the harsh desert environment.