Located north of Arequipa city, at
an altitude between 3,600 and 6,000 meters, the Salinas
and Aguada Blanca National Reserve is the habitat to
wild cameloids, such as vicuña and guanaco, and
the home to a wide range of migratory and sedentary
birds that breed around various mountain lakes, dams
and rivers. Created in 1979 to preserve the endangered
flora and fauna of the area, it occupies some 370,000
hectares in the southern departments of Arequipa and
Moquegua.
The volcanoes Misti, Chachani, and
Pichu Pichu are found here, as well as the beautiful
Salinas lagoons, a birdwatchers favourite due to the
consistent number of flamingos, and the Indio lagoon,
an important refuge for aquatic birds.
The Salinas and Aguada Blanca National
Reserve is the habitat to 169 animal species (of which
23 mammals and 138 birds). Some of the most representative
are the vizcacha, the Andean huemul, the culpeo fox,
the vicuña (which goes through a repopulation
program), the flamingo and the guanaco.
In Pampa Cañahuas and Tocra
there is significant population of vicuñas, and
makes an attractive stop on the way to Colca Canyon.