Vilacota Maure Regional Conservation Area, Natural reserve in Tacna Region, Peru.
Vilacota Maure Regional Conservation Area spans high-altitude terrain with valleys, volcanoes, and mountain peaks rising to 5,700 meters across multiple provinces. The landscape is drained by the Maure River and includes a notable lagoon surrounded by this dramatic topography.
The conservation area was officially established in 2009 through government decree to protect the river basin and mountain ecosystems. This designation recognized the region's importance for maintaining water sources and high-altitude ecological systems.
Local communities have long used this landscape for herding alpacas and llamas that thrive in the high-altitude environment. Herders continue practices passed down through generations, living alongside these native animals in the mountain terrain.
The area is accessible by vehicle from Tacna city through the Andean highlands, with the journey taking about three and a half hours. Visitors should prepare for high-altitude conditions and consider hiring local guides familiar with the terrain and weather patterns.
The Valley of Geysers contains numerous thermal springs at varying temperatures, including the Blue Lagoon with its striking color. These hot springs result from geological activity beneath the surface, creating an unusual contrast to the surrounding cold mountain landscape.
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