Los Flamencos National Reserve, National reserve near San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Los Flamencos National Reserve is a protected area with salt flats, lagoons, and volcanic formations spread across the Atacama Desert. The site comprises seven distinct sections, each offering different geological features and wildlife habitats.
The reserve was established in 1990 to protect wetland areas and ancient settlement traces in the desert. People have been drawn to this region since early inhabitants first settled here thousands of years earlier.
The Tulor archaeological site displays circular mud dwellings built by early inhabitants centuries ago. These ruins help visitors understand how people managed to live in this extremely dry landscape.
Early morning visits are best when birds are active and the air remains cool before midday heat sets in. It is wise to wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water, as the sun is intense and shade is scarce throughout the area.
Three different flamingo species live together here and feed on microscopic algae that turn the salty water red. These algae form the foundation of the entire flamingo population and give the birds their distinctive pink coloring.
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