The Laguna Verde and natural hot springs tour is a full-day 4x4 journey starting from Copiapó, climbing nearly 4,000 meters in elevation gain up to 4,340 m.a.s.l. in the high Atacama Puna. The round trip takes between 12 and 14 hours along the international CH-31 highway, crosses the Maricunga Salt Flat and the Laguna Santa Rosa wetland, and finishes with a thermal bath in rustic stone pools at 40 °C facing Mount San Francisco and Nevado Ojos del Salado.
From Mountaineering Base Camp to High-Altitude Day Tour
For decades, the Laguna Verde basin remained an exclusive destination for high-altitude mountaineering expeditions. Teams preparing for the ascent of Ojos del Salado Volcano pitched tents here for several days to acclimatize, benefiting from thermal spring water and adjusting to the severe hypoxia of the dry Central Andes.
Today, thanks to regular maintenance along Route CH-31 and high-clearance 4x4 vehicles equipped with medical emergency oxygen, this alpine basin has opened up to travelers without prior technical climbing experience. No mountaineering skills or freezing overnight stays in tents are required: the tour allows you to witness the highest concentration of active volcanoes on Earth and soak in hot springs at 4,300 meters, returning to Copiapó on the same day.
| Parameter | Operational Detail |
|---|---|
| Departure and Return | Copiapó (hotel pickup and drop-off) |
| Minimum and Maximum Altitude | 390 m.a.s.l. in Copiapó / 4,340 m.a.s.l. at Laguna Verde |
| Total Driving Distance | Approx. 520 km round trip (paved and graded gravel roads) |
| Total Duration | 12 to 14 hours (departure 06:00 - 06:30, return 19:30 - 20:30) |
| Required Vehicle | 4x4 truck or SUV with low-range transfer case (4L) |
| Hot Spring Water Temperature | Between 38 °C and 42 °C at the thermal source |
| Ambient Air Temperature | -5 °C to 12 °C depending on time of day and wind speed |
| Physical Difficulty | Low hiking effort; high physiological demand due to altitude |
Step-by-Step Full Day Itinerary: The 6 Stops along Route CH-31
The route follows International Route CH-31 toward Paso San Francisco. To help the body cope with rapid elevation gain, the drive is broken into six planned stops with short, gentle walks.
Stop 1: Quebrada de Paipote (1,000 to 1,800 m.a.s.l.)
We set off at dawn from Copiapó. Passing the industrial area of Paipote, the road enters a dry gorge cutting through the pre-cordilleran range. The landscape quickly shifts from coastal desert valley to sheer red volcanic rock canyons. This technical stop allows us to check tire pressure and enjoy warm coffee before taking on the switchbacks of Cuesta Codoceo.
Stop 2: Salar de Maricunga and Border Complex (3,750 m.a.s.l.)
Crossing 3,500 m.a.s.l., the Andes suddenly open into a vast plateau: Salar de Maricunga, the southernmost salt flat in Chile. On the horizon, the glaciated massif of Nevado Tres Cruces stands tall. Here we pass the Chilean Police (Carabineros) and Customs checkpoint to register the expedition and conduct our first blood oxygen saturation check.
Stop 3: Laguna Santa Rosa and Nevado Tres Cruces National Park (3,780 m.a.s.l.)
A few kilometers past the salt flat lies Laguna Santa Rosa, an internationally protected Ramsar wetland. Three Andean flamingo species (Andean, Chilean, and James's) inhabit these shallow waters alongside horned coots and wild vicuña herds. We take an easy 20-minute walk along the marked CONAF path to observe wildlife and encourage lung adaptation without raising the heart rate excessively.
Stop 4: Río Lamas (4,100 m.a.s.l.)
Past Maricunga, the road climbs through open alpine valleys to the Río Lamas crossing. This glacial meltwater stream remains edged by ice sheets throughout most of the season. It is a common gathering spot for guanacos and Andean culpeo foxes adapted to sub-zero mornings.
Stop 5: Vega San Andrés (4,200 m.a.s.l.)
Before dropping into the Laguna Verde basin, we cross the San Andrés peat bog. This high-altitude bofedal retains underground water and produces a vibrant emerald marshland contrasting sharply with ochre volcanic scree. A brief 10-minute stop here is dedicated to hydration before reaching the highest point of the tour.
Stop 6: Arrival at Laguna Verde (4,340 m.a.s.l.)
After crossing the final mountain pass, the turquoise expanse of Laguna Verde appears. Its intense emerald-blue hue, caused by high concentrations of minerals and carbonates, stretches directly beneath the snowfields of Mount San Francisco and the rugged ridges flanking Ojos del Salado.
Bathing in Rustic Thermal Pools at 4,300 Meters
On the eastern edge of the lagoon, geothermal springs surface naturally from volcanic fissures. Mountaineers built rustic stone walls around the spring outlets to pool the water at temperatures between 38 °C and 42 °C, creating a sheltered basin protected from Puna gusts.
Soaking here is an unforgettable physical experience: resting in soothing hot water while outside air temperatures hover near freezing and winds blow at 40 km/h. The view frames the south face of Nevado San Francisco (6,018 m) and the volcanic barrier dividing Chile from Argentina.
Entry and Exit Protocol for High Altitude
Thermal contrast at extreme altitude requires disciplined precautions overseen by our mountain guides:
- Soak Duration: Keep bath sessions between 15 and 20 continuous minutes. Hot water induces rapid peripheral vasodilation, which paired with low ambient oxygen can lead to sudden drops in blood pressure (dizziness).
- Prior Hydration: Drink at least 500 ml of fresh water before stepping into the pool.
- Rapid Drying and Layering: High-altitude desert wind evaporates moisture instantly, creating rapid chilling. Keep your towel and base layer within arm's reach inside the stone windbreak, putting on your windproof shell before walking back to the vehicle.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) Prevention Protocol
Ascending from Copiapó (390 m.a.s.l.) to Laguna Verde (4,340 m.a.s.l.) within 4 to 5 hours reduces barometric pressure and available oxygen by nearly 40%. To prevent acute mountain sickness (soroche), our team enforces clear safety standards on every departure:
Field Directive: We set a strict minimum age of 15 years old for day trips to Laguna Verde. Young adolescents and children exhibit less predictable respiratory regulation under rapid hypoxia, significantly increasing the likelihood of severe headaches and nausea.
1. Hydration and Nutritional Guidelines
- Water and Electrolytes: Drink 3 to 4 liters of fluid per day starting 24 hours prior to departure. Compensatory hyperventilation at high elevation causes rapid water vapor loss with every breath.
- No Alcohol and Light Meals: Avoid alcohol and heavy, greasy meats the evening prior in Copiapó. During the drive, our guides supply steady energy snacks rich in slow-burning carbohydrates (nuts, oatmeal bars, dried fruits).
2. Mandatory Technical Layering
Sun radiation at Laguna Verde is intense, but wind chill frequently drops felt temperatures below 0 °C. You can calculate the impact of wind on temperature with our wind chill calculator.
- Three-Layer System: Breathable synthetic or merino wool base layer, insulating fleece or mid-layer, and a windproof waterproof outer shell (Gore-Tex or equivalent).
- Warm Accessories: Beanie or fleece hat covering the ears, windproof insulated gloves, and thick wool trekking socks.
- Sun Protection: Category 3 or 4 UV sunglasses (essential to counter glare off salt crusts and snowfields) and SPF 50+ sunscreen.
3. Medical Monitoring En Route
Our support vehicles carry portable fingertip pulse oximeters to track blood oxygen saturation ($SpO_2$) and resting heart rate at every intermediate stop. If any traveler presents symptoms of moderate mountain sickness under the Lake Louise scoring system, guides administer medical oxygen and immediately initiate descent below the 3,000-meter safety threshold.
From Day Tour to Summit: Stepping into the 6,000-Meter Peaks
For many hikers and adventurers, this day trip to Laguna Verde is the initial stepping stone toward ambitious Andean summits.
If you are planning major climbs, Laguna Verde serves as the primary base camp for the acclimatization itinerary for Ojos del Salado and San Francisco, utilizing progressive camps under the Climb High, Sleep Low strategy. You can review target pacing using our altitude acclimatization rate calculator and map mountain huts with our Seismiles interactive map.
For travelers looking to explore independently with private logistics, read our detailed guide on 4x4 logistics and mountain huts in Copiapó or inquire about our mountain equipment and 4x4 rental service in Copiapó.
Nevado San FranciscoMount San Francisco Ascent (6,018 m)
The most accessible 6,000-meter peak in the Atacama Puna, starting minutes from Laguna Verde with direct views into the Ojos del Salado crater.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Laguna Verde Tour from Copiapó
Can this trip be done in a standard sedan or is a 4x4 vehicle required?
A true 4x4 vehicle with high ground clearance is strictly required. While the main CH-31 highway is mostly paved or well-maintained gravel, access tracks to Laguna Santa Rosa and the thermal pools at Laguna Verde cross volcanic sand fields and sharp rocks where standard cars bottom out and lose traction.
What is the water temperature in the Laguna Verde hot springs?
Water emerges from geothermal vents between 38 °C and 42 °C. Inside the rustic stone pools, water temperature averages between 36 °C and 39 °C, providing a comfortable bath even when high Puna winds drop ambient air below freezing.
What is the minimum age to join this tour?
Participants must be at least 15 years old. Ascending 4,000 meters in a single morning imposes substantial cardiovascular stress on growing bodies, making this full-day profile inadvisable for younger children.
What is the best time of year to visit Laguna Verde?
The prime window runs from October through late April, matching the Andean spring and summer. During these months, daytime temperatures are milder and Paso San Francisco remains reliably open, avoiding winter blizzards and heavy snowdrifts. If you are traveling during the austral winter (June to August), consider exploring the winter phenomenon at the frozen waterfall of the Juncalito River.
