In the northern part of the Province of Jujuy, in the Departments of Yavi, Santa Catalina and Rinconada, you will find this important lake with an area of 180000 square metres and at an altitude of 4320 m.a.s.l, making it one of the most important and beautiful water courses of the province. It is considered a Biosphere Reserve.

It is located amongst mountain ranges, at the foot of which there is a huge high altitude plain with short grasses and dry soil, watered by many rivers and streams, whose beds fill up with the rains and the melt water from the nearby mountains. It is justly famous for its waterfowl species richness.

It was created in the year 1981. It is considered to be one of the most important nesting and rest places for migratory water birds in all of the Argentinean high mountain areas.

Its rich and varied water bird life include up to 44 species, which motivated its creation as a Natural Monument. The most outstanding examples are the flamingos, which gather in flocks of up to 25000 individuals, and which gracious pink figures stand out against the Puna highland landscape.

It feeds trough filtering the water between their beaks, which have special laminas on the lower part, which retain small algae and invertebrates. You will find up to three different species of flamingos within the reserve, the southern flamingo and the two species locally known as the big and small Parinas - La Parina grande and La Parina chica. These three species of flamingos have different feeding habits and thus do not compete with each other for food.

Where the Río Cincel River runs into the lake, you will find big concentrations of ducks such as the locally known Maicero, the Barcino y the Puna. This last one, unique to the area builds its nests amongst the tall grass and is recognised by its dark hood and light blue beak.

On the other hand the so-called Maicero, the Barcino, the Colorado and the Juar-jual, also inhabit other areas apart from the Puna highlands, although some endemic sub species can be found locally.

There are three species of coot: the Andean, the Horned and the Giant. Theses are aquatic birds that feed mostly on floating plants although they also prey on small invertebrates and fish. They build their nests out of reeds and other water plants and are differentiated by the small shield on their breast of different shapes and colours.

The sandpipers are small and medium sized birds with long beaks and legs. They feed on insects, larvae and plants. Some of them nest in the northern hemisphere and migrate every year to Argentina; others nest in Patagonia and migrate to the northern part of the country. You will be able to see great flocks of these sandpipers in the lake during their migrations, when they flee the cold arctic winter.

However, there are several endemic species such as the Serrano sandpiper and the Banded sandpiper - Chorlito serrano, Chorlito de vincha, and the last one much more rare and preferring flooded riverbanks. There is also the locally called the Tero serrano, a very loud and territorial bird. The Andean avocet, also endemic to the Puna highland, is characterised by its long beak, very fine and curved upwards, adapted to the capture of small vertebrates.

In the area you will also find partridges, rabbits, hares, guinea pigs, alpacas, vicuñas, ostrich like suris, chumucoa or cormorants, herons, teros, storks, condors, crow like birds, coots, so called guayatas, Andean avocets and owls.

FLORA
In the Puna highland region, the lack of water and oxygen, the poor soils, the b radiation from the sun, due to the high altitudes, provoke high daylight temperatures and a great concentration UV light; and on the other hand, the low night temperatures, coupled to the unequal distribution of rainfall, the lack of atmospheric humidity and the lack of certain nutrients, all are conditions which limit both the plant and wildlife.

The capacity for adaptation of live organisms allows some of these to resist these adverse conditions, and thus the existence of plants allows for the existence of herbivores and in turn of carnivores.

Along the shores of the Laguna de Los Pozuelos Lake one can find shrub thickets of tola (Baccharis tola), also the so called river tola and small tola. (tola de río and tolilla, the locally called añagua, small grasses and small stands of queñoa. Below the shrubs, there are small plants such as clover, clingstone peach, vetch and nettles. From the cacti family we can mention the so-called quepo.

CLIMATE
The climate is extremely dry and cold, with big fluctuations of temperature, which average 20 ºC, with peaks of above 30 ºC in the southern hemisphere summers and 20ºC in winter. The few rains that fall in the area, between 100 to 200 mm per year are distributed over the summer. In winter there are very harsh cold spells and sporadic snow.

USEFUL INFORMATION
This protected area offers no services for the traveller. On the lakeshore there are two signs that help to identify the birds found in the area and a guide to the geology of the area. In order to properly appreciate the bird life you will need a good pair of binoculars and also patience to go hunting for good pictures.

Commercial fishing, hunting and any other exploitation of natural resources are forbidden, except those derived from tourist activities. It is also forbidden to introduce domestic animals, pets and exotic flora and fauna into the area.

Due to its importance as a habitat for numerous bird species, this Lake has been included in the List of Internationally Important Wetlands. (The RAMSAR Convention).

HOE TO GET THERE
From San Salvador de Jujuy you drive 218 kilometres down the Ruta Nacional Nº 9, until you reach the village of Abra Pampa. From there you take the Ruta Provincial Nº 7, and after approximately 50 kilometres down this road you will reach this Natural Monument.

From La Quiaca you go down Ruta Provincial Nº 5 until you reach Cieneguilla, where you should continue down Ruta Provincial Nº 69, passing through Rodeo, then entering Ruta Provincial Nº 7 until you reach the Lake. This last trip is approximately 100 kilometres long.

VISITING SEASONS
The area can be visited the year round. In the southern hemisphere summer there may be difficulties to access due to rainfalls. Ask in Abra Pampa or Cieneguilla on the condition of the road to access the Lake.

ACTIVITIES
Observation of fauna and flora.

INFORMATION
Monumento Natural Laguna de los Pozuelos
Rivadavia corner of J. B. Alberdi, Barrio 31 de Agosto
CP 4640 - Abra Pampa
Jujuy, República Argentina
Tel.: (03887) 491048 / 491315.