NATIONAL PARKS IN CHILE

With a surface of 137,883 hectares, this international biosphere reserve covers the pre cordillera and the altiplano of the northeast end of the region of Tarapaca. It has a dry climate with very marked day and night thermal variations.

This park is well-known for being home to a great wealth of flora and fauna and its highly interesting cultural, historical and wild beauty sites. More than 130 different bird species live in this park, in addition to the distinctive vicuñas, vizcachas, and condors. A major attraction of the park is the astonishing Chungara Lake, one of the most elevated of the world, located at the foot of the Payachata twin volcanoes.

This National Park is formed by plains and steep relief that give origin to varied landscapes of perceptual and aesthetic quality. Among several volcanoes in the area, Isluga is still active with sulphur emissions coming through its snow-covered slopes.

There are important archaeological resources in the area; namely, a complex of Sanctuaries, pukaras, chullpas (tombs).

At 4,200 m above sea level, this monument is characterized by its massive salt zones and high altitude ecosystems. The monument is 11,298 square hectares and is home to many species of rare wildlife including the ñandú, flamingos, Andean avocets, crested ducks, and species of llama including vicuñas and alpacas. The temperature oscillates between -15ºC at night and 5ºC during the day. The monument geography corresponds almost completely to the salt content, clearly seen in the central Oquealla hill with a height of 4,322 m.

The name Surire comes from the word "Suri" o ñandú, a species of Chilean ostrich that lives in the zone and can be observed while visiting.

The park contains two sites for camping without facilities nearby the hot baths of Polloquere, 16 km away from the Conaf ranger station. The Conaf office also has facilities to house four people.

The national Park has a surface of 268,670 ha it is is situated in a remote part of the Chile-Argentina border, and its main attraction is the volcano of the same name.

Llullaillaco with an altitude of 6723m is the second highest volcano in the world. On the summit there are extensive ruins, including a short stairway, several small stone dwellings and various raised terraces. these date from the time of the Incas when the mountain was used for religious purposes and sacrifices.

This National reserve, created in 1983 by the Agricultural minister, has an extension of 209.131 ha. With an average altitude ranging from 4300m to 5600 mt, its climate is very dry getting 260 mm or precipitation per year. Temperature ranges from 8C to 15C during the day and from -5C to -15C during the night.

Its fauna is diverse consisting mainly in animals like: Armadillo (Quiquincho), Andean Puma, Guinea pigs, Condor, lizards, several species of frogs, and - of course - lots of Vicuñas

This reserve, created in 1990, consists of seven sectors located in the commune of San Pedro de Atacama. Each sector has a different geography, flora, fauna and hydrography.

The Tara Salt Deposit - Aguas Calientes sector is five hours to the east of San Pedro. Here is the salt deposit and lagoon of Tara, the river Zapaleri, the Aguas Calientes salt deposit 1 and the Negra lagoon. The animals dwelling in this area are the vicuña, the culpeo fox, and in terms of flora there is the water tola (Baccharis tola) and the amaia.

The Pujsa Salt Deposit sector is located further to the south than Tara - Aguas Calientes; like the latter, this geography is one of rolling plains, with an intermountain depression and the hills of Negro de Pujsa and Balle. The fauna is composed of vizcachas, chululos, flamingos, ñandú, condors and eaglets, among others.

The ‘Lagoons Miscanti - Miñiques’ sector is located to the south of Socaire Village, and has remarkable, beautiful lagoons, from which the village owes its name, as well as a rich and varied fauna of flamingos, juarjuar ducks, nandus, eaglets, and tucuquers, amongst others. Its mountainous geography is composed of hills and volcanoes, reaching a maximum height of 5,910 meters above sea level.

In the Salt Deposit of Atacama, there are two sectors of the reserve: Soncor and Quelana. As part of the salt deposit, the geography of these areas is flat and saline, and 2,300 meters above sea level. Several bird species dwell here, but the flamingo is perhaps the most characteristic. There are three lagoons: the Puilar, Chaxas and Barros Negros which form the hydric system of the reserve, and in terms of the flora, there is the cachiyuyo, brea and salty grama.

The Moon Valley is also part of the reserve; the chilla and culpeo fox dwell here, as well as eaglets, chercans, thrushes and others. The Salt Cordillera is responsible for the existence of this valley, and there are no water sources in the area.

The Tres Cruces National Park is located in the Copiapó and Tierra Amarilla provinces, 3rd region. It has 59.081 hectares divided in two sectors: the Maricunga salt flatat the north and the "Laguna del Negro" at the south. It can be accessed from the city of Copiapó 150km (93mi) tro the East.