Alto Loa National Reserve, National reserve in El Loa Province, Chile
Alto Loa National Reserve is a protected area located between the communes of Ollagüe and Calama at around 3000 meters elevation, covering a vast expanse of high-altitude terrain. The reserve includes the source of the Loa River, multiple salt flats, and a dry ecosystem typical of the central Andes.
The reserve was established in 2005 following negotiations between government agencies, Quechua communities, and mining companies operating in the region. Its creation aimed to protect the high-altitude waters and ecosystems from competing resource interests.
The Atacama and Quechua peoples have deep ties to this land and actively shape how the area is cared for and understood today. Their communities bring living traditions and knowledge to the high-altitude landscape.
The reserve sits at high altitude and is best visited during the warmer months when weather conditions are more stable and roads more accessible. Visitors should prepare for thin air and temperature changes, bringing appropriate clothing and gear for mountain conditions.
The reserve harbors rare flamingo species that nest in the salt flats, including Chilean, James, and Andean varieties with their distinctive pink plumage. These birds are so tied to the landscape that visitors often remember them as much as the terrain itself.
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