The Red Lagoon is located at 4,278 meters above the sea level and has a total surface of 60 km2. It is a lagoon of several colors, which has a predominant array of red shades. This is caused by animal plankton, phytoplankton and other additional elements. The beauty of the landscape that surrounds the area contrasts with the reddish hue of the lagoon and the pink flamencos.
This place is also known as the "Nest of the Andes" as it shelters more than 30.000 flamencos of three different species. It is also home to the "Parihuana Chica" (a species of flamingo), the largest of its kind in South America.
The view becomes even more spectacular with the presence of a generally large collection of flamencos that reside all over the red waters of the lake. There are three major species of birds: "parina chica" or "Chururu", the "Totoko" or "parina grande". All of these species of birds make a stop here before continuing their journey towards the North.
On the road to the Red Lagoon stands the active Ollague volcano . There is also a chain of several small lagoons inhabited mostly by flamingos and the thermal waters of Chalviri most of which contain salty water (30 C of temperature).
Photos of Red Lagoon
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The nearby area contains plenty of minerals.
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Sunrise at Isla Incahuasi.
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Flamingos stand in the water of the Red lagoon.
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The Green Lagoon from above.
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In still weather, the nearby mountains are reflected in the water
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The pink colour of the flamingos is due to the large amount of algae they consume.
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Watching the sunset in Uyuni.
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The colours of the area around the Red lagoon are truly from another planet.
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The algae turn the water red.
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Thousands of pink flamingos flock to the Red Lagoon to nest.
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The contrasts of colours is spectacular.
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The Red lagoon sometimes can look like a lake of blood.
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Rock formations on the shores of the Green Lagoon.
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In winter, the mountains around the Red lagoon are coverd by snow.
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The flamingos feed on the algae that live in the mineral rich water.
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Salt blocks in the Salar.
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When the wind blows, the red colour is more intense.
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Flamingos at the Red lagoon.
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The Giant Mirror.
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If you are lucky, you can take spectacular photos of the flamingos feeding in the Red Lagoon.
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This cactus is over a thousand years old.
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Watch pink flamingos in the Eduardo Avaroa National Park.
