Laguna Blanca Biosphere Reserve

Information

It is a large protected area of some 97,3270 hectares located in Catamarca in northwestern Argentina, which includes high Andean and Puna environments.

It protects its fauna, especially the vicuna (a South American camelid, Vicugna vicugna), lesser rhea (Rhea pennata) and flamingo species such as the Puna flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi) and Andean flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus). In this area, what is known as 'Chaku' is practised, a technique that was already used by pre-Columbian peoples, where wild vicunas are enclosed, sheared and finally released.

Within its boundaries is the laguna (like a lake) that bears its name (Laguna Blanca), situated at about 3400 metres above sea level. About 3 km from the laguna is the village of Laguna Blanca, which has a tourist information booth, some lodging, a grocery store and the integral museum of the biosphere reserve.

To get there, a dirt road leads from Provincial Route 43, which after about 10 km takes you to the vicinity of the salt laguna. On this access road there is a sign and a parking space, from where you have a good view of the body of water and the surrounding landscape. If you continue for another 3 km (13 km in total) you will reach the village.