Location:

It is in the Northwest part of the Province of La Rioja, in the Departments of General Sarmiento (Vinchina) and General Lamadrid. It limits to the West with the Republic of Chile and with the Province of San Juan to the South.

Surface: 405000 hectares.

Distances:

From the City of La Rioja: 448 kilometres
From San José de Vinchina: 100 Kilometres.
From Alto Jagüe: 65 kilometres.

Main characteristics:
It occupies lands corresponding to the puna and highland region, with altitudes oscillating between 2500 and 4500 metres above sea level.

The system of Laguna Brava, which is situated above 3000 metres, presents numerous high Andean lagoons of shallow saline and hyper saline waters, with bogs and wetlands associated to them. The most important one is Laguna Brava, a shallow and extensive water mirror of salty waters, 17 kilometres long and 4 kilometres wide, covering a total surface of 5000 hectares, which is located at 4230 metres of altitude.

Another important lagoon is the Laguna de Mulas Muertas, located north of the previous one, which has a surface of roughly 700 hectares, with volcanoes on the background and a huge population of flamingos. The place presents a varied biodiversity associated to the wetlands, with abundant populations of aquatic birds, endiic and / or endangered, during the Southern Hiisphere's summer, such as the Andean flamingos, or large parina (Phoenicoparrus andinus) and the puna flamingo or small parina (Phoenicoparrus jamesi). It is also a wildlife refuge, mostly for the cameloids: vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) and guanacos (Lama guanicoe).

This zone is perfect for the practice and development of high mountain activities, since here we have imposing volcanoes such as the Bonete at 6759 metres above sea level; Veladero at 6436 metres, and Pissis at 6882 metres, the latter is the second highest summit in the country after Mount Aconcagua. It can only be visited with especial vehicles.

GUASAMAYO NATURAL PROVINCIAL PARK

It is located in the Southeastern part of the Province of La Rioja with an extension of 70000 hectares.
It comprises a sector of the Guasamayo Ravine with amazing eroded shapes. Provincial Route Nº 28, linking Malanzán and Solca, cuts it longitudinally.