Laguna Chaxa - The Most Beautiful Oasis in Desert

When we traveled from Galapagos through Peru to Chile within 3 days, we had 3 hours time change. Now our morning activity doesn't start until after 11am.

The fact that Google map didn’t mark the lagoon correctly exacerbated the situation. A trip that was supposed to take us one hour ended up two. When we arrived at Laguna Chaxa, a flamingo paradise, it was already almost 1pm.

It was never my preferred time to photograph anything at this hour. (See my tips on how to photograph people in strong sunlight)

But let me tell you, the view was simply so breathtaking. I couldn’t stop clicking my camera.

I must have completely forgotten about the scorching heat and the rough drive earlier, and was fully immersed into the amazing scene.

Can you imagine how it feels when traveling in the driest place on earth and seeing an oasis like this? Words can’t describe it.

When there was no wind, so the lagoon surface was like a mirror. If you know me well, I’m a big fan of photographing landscape with its own reflection in the water. (See some examples in my gallery)

I just never tried to do this in bright sun light at noon. I could forgo the hassle of setting up tripod, filters and possibly other accessories. How convenient! I love it!!!

Orion was in heaven as he thought we were finally at beach again.

But he soon realized it was a bit different. The dry salt bank wasn’t anything close to the sandy beach he was used to.

Just as we were in the beach of Galapagos, we got Apollo to count lizard. This time it wasn’t extremely successful. He spot only one or two.

The scene was absolutely heavenly. I didn’t want to claim I was a huge fan of flamingos, nor a wild animal photographer, but the peaceful lunch scene with the mountain backdrop was utterly fascinating.

It was interesting to note that the last time I photographed flamingos was on our Galapagos boat trip to North Neymour Island. Unfortunately we only spot two of them.

I had low expectation before arriving Laguna Chaxa, but the number of flamingos we saw was completely beyond my expectation.

Yet there was still peace and harmony.

We haven’t completely our trip in Atacama desert, but this is definitely one of my favorite experience.

See more posts about our family trip in Chile.

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