Los Flamencos National Reserve

This reserve, created in 1990, consists of seven sectors located in the town of San Pedro de Atacama. Each sector has a different type of geography, flora, fauna and hydrography.

The Tara Salt Deposit - Aguas Calientes sector is five hours to the east of San Pedro. Here is the salt deposit and lagoon of Tara, the river Zapaleri, the Aguas Calientes salt deposit and the Negra lagoon. The animals that dwell in this area are the vicuña, the South American red fox, and in terms of flora there is the water tola (Baccharis tola) and the amaia.

The Pujsa Salt Deposit sector is located further to the south than Tara - Aguas Calientes; like the latter, this geography is one of rolling plains, with an inter-mountain depression and the hills of Negro de Pujsa and Balle. The fauna is composed of vizcachas, chululos, flamingos, nandus, condors and eaglets, among others.

The ‘Lagoons Miscanti - Miñiques’ sector is located to the south of Socaire Village, and has remarkable, beautiful lagoons, from which the village owes its name, as well as a rich and varied fauna of flamingos, juarjuar ducks, nandus, eaglets, and tucuquers, among others. Its mountainous geography is composed of hills and volcanoes, reaching a maximum altitude of 5,910 meters (19,384 ft) above sea level.

In the Atacama Salt Deposit, there are two sectors of the reserve: Soncor and Quelana. As part of the salt deposit, the geography of these areas is flat and saline, and 2,300 meters (7,544 ft) above sea level. Several bird species dwell here, but the flamingo is perhaps the most characteristic. There are three lagoons: the Puilar, Chaxas and Barros Negros which form the hydric system of the reserve, and in terms of the flora, there is the cachiyuyo, brea and salty grama.

Moon Valley is also part of the reserve; the gray and South American red fox dwell here, as well as eaglets, chercans, thrush and others. The Salt Mountain Chain is responsible for the existence of this valley, and there are no water sources in the area.

Location

Antofagasta Region, the ‘Tambillo’ sector is 27 kilometers (17 mi) south of San Pedro de Atacama. Calama City is located 127 kilometers (79 MI) northwest. Location

How to get there

Santiago - Antofagasta: public and private air and land transportation. Antofagasta - Calama: public and private land transportation by Ruta 5 Norte (Route 5 North), then take Route 25 when reaching Carmen Alto, until you get to Calama. From Calama continue to southeast on Route 23, until getting to San Pedro de Atacama. Get out of San Pedro by the way to Toconao, and at kilometer 33 you will meet the Area Administration. See Transportation

When to go

Year round.

Other nearby attractions

Atacama salt deposit, San Pedro de Atacama, Moon Valley, Salt Mountain Chain.

Activities

Photography, wildlife observation, trekking. Activities Section

Weather

Given the size of the reserve, in its different sectors there are important climatic differences. The rainy season occurs between the months of December and March, and during these months there are frequent electric storms.

Services

Rangers, environmental information, trails.

Admission Fee

Adults: $2,500 Chilean Pesos (Convert to US Dollars).

Children: $500 Chilean Pesos (Convert to US Dollars).