Alto Loa National Reserve

The Alto Loa National Reserve spans 300,000 hectares of land at an elevation of 3000 meters between the communes of Ollagüe and Calama.

Negotiations for the reserve's establishment involved the Regional Department of Agriculture, Quechua community of Ollagüe, and mining companies, leading to its creation in 2005.

The Atacama and Quechua peoples maintain strong connections to the reserve through the Consejo de Pueblos Atacameños, contributing to tourism development and heritage preservation.

The reserve protects the source of the Loa River at 4,277 meters altitude and encompasses three salt flats: San Martín, Ascotán, and Ollagüe.

The area supports 250 plant species and 70 animal species, including nesting populations of Chilean, James, and Andean flamingos in its high-altitude desert environment.

Location: El Loa Province

Inception: 2005

GPS coordinates: -21.47703,-68.51897

Latest update: March 5, 2025 21:08