|
The Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve is located in the
Arequipa and Moquegua region, and in the provinces of Arequipa, Caylloma
and General Sánchez Cerro. It expands across a surface area
of 366,936 hectares and was established August 9, 1979.
In this reserve you can find important snow capped mountains,
volcanoes and lagoons of great beauty and recreational value. The
principle representatives of it's unique beauty are the inactive
volcanoes Misti (5 821 m), Chachani (6 075 m) and Pichu pichu (5 440 m).
The drainage area regulated by El
Fraile and Aguada Blanca dams, guarantees drinking water for the
city of Arequipa and supplies irrigation water to the agricultural
country side of the region.
The reserve is home to relics of Andean forests as well as high
land Andean meadowlands which possess typical species like the yareta (Azorella sp.), the quenual or cinnamon barked small
tree (Polylepis sp.) and the kcapo (Parastrephia lepidophylla), used
by the local population as fuel and for tending flocks of cattle.
This area is the habitation of many mammals and birds. Among the
most important are the north Andean huemul (Hippocamelus
antisensis), the culpeo fox (Pseudalopex culpaeus) and the vicuna
(Vicugna vicugna). Among those considered to be in danger of
extinction are the puna flamingo (Phoenicopterus jamesi), the
chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) and the guanaco (Lama guanicoe).
The most attractive places to bird watchers and tourists are the
Salinas Lagoons, where an appreciable number of flamingos are found
and the Indio Lagoon which is a place of refuge for the aquatic
birds.
In the area of Pampa Cañahuas and Tocra you can
appreciate significant populations of vicunas, making them the
principle attraction of the visitors and leads them to the Cañón del
Colca, in the providence of Caylloma.
The objectives of the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve
are to conserve the flora and the fauna as well as the beautiful
scenery and geological formations of the area. Continuously
encouraging the rational utilization of the high Andean species.
Location
Regions of Arequipa and Moquegua. 35 km northeast
of Arequipa.
How to Get There
From Arequipa, take any road which leads you to the Colca
Valley
When to Go
Between April and October
Other Close Attractions
Healing Hot Springs of Jesús and Yura.
Activities
Photography, wild life observation, cultural observation
Services
Camping
Climate
Typical climate of the sierra
Prices
Adult: daily PEN 5,00 (in
USD), for three days PEN 10,00 (in
USD)
Child: daily PEN 1,5 (in
USD), for three days PEN 4,00 (in
USD) |
 |
|
