Full Day Private Trip To Andean Wildlife Reserve
Reserva Nacional de Salinas Aguada Blanca on the northeast of Arequipa (2350M) on the backside of Volcan Misti, Chachani Mount and Picchu Picchu Peak – This national reserve is divided between Arequipa and Moquegua department on the area of Lagunas de Salinas (4317M) which is behind Picchu Picchu Mount and volcan Misti (5825M) and the entire reserve cover big area up to 936 hectares and it is located between 3500M and 6000M.
Salinas and Aguada Blanca is part of the National System of protected Natural Areas and is representative sample of the dry Puna on the southern Peru - In the past the man was identified as nomadic hunters and gatherer (Vicuñas, Huanacos, eggs, seeds and amphibians) that inhabited the vast area of the reserve, they has left many historical evidences reflected in different representations in Mollepunku, Sumbay and Tarucani caves paintings.
Geomorphologically the National Reserve is presented in three zones: the plains and plateaus, rounded hills and low hills and volcanic cones, which are part of the western chain of the Andes and the natural boundary of the Reserve. The latter have originated by volcanic activity during the Tertiary and Quaternary Superior, and glacial and pluvial erosive action during the Upper Cenozoic.
This range of ecosystems offer great opportunity to bird watcher lovers from over the world the possibility to study the 144 bird species that exist in this Reserve, as well as 24 species of mammals, 4 reptiles, 4 amphibians and 3 fish species, the than 2 are endemic in the south. The reeds, the Andean grasslands and wetlands (typical and characteristic of the high plains environment): Also six life zones comprising three plant formations are located. Another natural wonders of the Reserve is the observation of celestial phenomena, stars and constellations in the clear sky that shelters Reserve in any season and for lovers of extreme adventure, the reserve offer many possibilities as mountaineering, rock climbing, mountain biking, river fishing, and trekking around active volcanoes over 5000 meters above sea level.
TOUR ITINERARY TO RESERVA MACIONAL OF AGUADA BLANCA Y LAGUNA DE SALINAS
The trip begins from your hotel or from airport of Arequipa not later than 7AM – This trip includes a private transport for better development and covers all the reserve on a bumpy and dusty road.
From Arequipa to Lagunas de Salinas takes around 3 hours, this is a paradise for Flamingos and all bird watcher lovers are welcome to enjoy this amazing view – The lagoon is full of waters from January till June/July and then normally is dry with not possibilities to watch Andean birds – The adventure includes 1 hour of walking along the lagoon (4317M) on the way to town of Salinas Huito, to see much more wildlife.
The next stop will be between Andean valley of San Juan De Tarucani and Huayllacucho (4440M) – This place to find lot wetlands with Andean camelids as Llamas, Alpacas and luckily is possible to see deer and Andean fox. Some kilometers more driving will be another stop on the top of the mountain to see great panorama of Volcan Misti and Chachani from the backside. The adventure continues crossing rivers and great Andean sceneries awarded by natural colorful contrasts.
Around midday we arrive to rock forest of Puruña, this is located in middle of Pampas Cañahuas and behind Chachani Mount (6070M) – This place has a lunar appearance with formations of strange human figures – Here you can walk for about 40 minutes through the forest and along Sumbay River.
We will drive on the backside of Misti and Chachani Mt crossing part of the National Reserve as known as Pampas Cañahuas (4000M) which is natural home for Vicuñas grassing next of the road.
Around 2PM we will arrive to Patawasi Andean village, here are small restaurants to get lunch and drinks (excluded).
OPTIONAL visit will be the caves paintings of Sumbay – This is a remote remaining of the first habitants of the region (14000 year ago) – To get the caves we have to drive on not good road passing the ghost town of Sumbay (4100M) and from the nice downhill walk for about 10min to the cave paintings located next of river – The caves offer carved figures and paintings of hunters and gatherer.
Around 4:30PM we drive back to Arequipa taking the asphalt route by the northwest of Chachani Mountain, down to Yura valley and then to Arequipa city - After 2 hours of driving you will be drop-off at your hotel around 6:30PM and end of service.
