- Address: Putre, Arica-e-Parinacota, Chile;
- Area: 209,131 km²;
- Phone: +56 58 258 5704;
- Date of Establishment: 1983.
Las Vicuñas National Park is a corner of the pristine nature in the territory of the huge Lauka Biosphere Reserve in the mountainous regions of Chile . In these places an absolutely unique animal and plant world has developed and is preserved. If a tourist is looking for seclusion among wild and pristine nature, then Las Vicuñas is a godsend for him.
The park began to receive travelers in March 1983. There is the National Reserve Las Vicuñas on a mountain plateau at an altitude of 4000 m above sea level. The area of the reserve is amazing - 200 thousand hectares of wild lands with a unique natural life.
Climate of the reserve
The climate of these places is not just severe, it refers to extreme climatic zones. The height of some mountain peaks reaches 5800 m and enters the ice zone. The maximum summer temperature is + 15 ° C, in winter the highest temperature is -15 ° C, the low temperature drops to -30 ° C.
Animal and plant life
The National Reserve of Las Vicuñas is located in the bowl of the Andean mountain system, this is the so-called Andean steppe zone or the Precordeliers. The most common species of mammals of the park are alpacas, llamas and vicuna, in honor of which the park was named. Now the protection of these species is set at a high level due to the fact that after the 1970s, when the crisis in the country led to the uncontrolled use of the Las Vicuñas lands, the population of these mammals was greatly reduced. Now there is a lot of effort to not only preserve these species, but also to multiply them.
In the southern regions of the Vicuñas Reserve, ostriches of nandoo, moles, skunks and South American jerboas are found. Also in this region of the country lives a rare animal, found only here - a hairy battleship. During a walk in the southern part of the park you can find numerous mink guinea pigs.
In Las Vicuñas for a long time, there are three kinds of flamingos: Chilean, Andean, and a kind of flamingo Davis. Among the most popular representatives of the bird world in the reserve are the condor, wild ducks and geese, the sea eagle.
The most vivid representatives of predators living in the reserve are the pumas and the Andean foxes, but the puma in these parts can be met quite seldom due to the extreme caution of the animal. Many naturalists and photographers arrange long ambushes in these places to meet at least once a beautiful representative of the cat's world, the puma.
Flora in these places is quite scarce, mainly - it's hard grass and low shrubs. Also here are common cacti-candelabras and other drought-resistant species. You need to be careful that the grass and the shoot are soft and mossy in appearance, but in fact they are quite stiff and prickly.
The water system of Las Vicuñas is rich in shallow rivers, dry in the summer, and salt marshes. The water in the lakes is rich in mineral salts, which is due to the presence in the highlands, constantly blown by the winds.
Note to tourists
A big plus for travelers in these places is that the National Wildlife Refuge in Las Vicuñas is open to a visit all year round, it does not close depending on the seasons. You can get here from the nearest town of Arica .
Entrance to the territory of Las Vicuñas is free, but since 2015, spending the night in this place is prohibited. Therefore, the lodging for the night can be accommodated in the town of Gualalini, located near the reserve at the foot of a volcano with the same name. In this town there are lodges, inns and hostels.
The Las Vicuñas Nature Reserve organizes mountain climbing with climbing equipment, so climbers can also spend their free time here.