Pampa de Toccra

Arequipa & Canyon Country

This high plain that lies between El Misti/Chachani and the Colca Canyon has an average height of around 4300m and supports plentiful bird and animal life. You’re almost certain to see vicuñas (threatened, wild relatives of alpacas) roadside in the Zona de Vicuñas on the approach to Patahuasi. At a boggy and sometimes icy lake, waterfowl and flamingos reside in season. Nearby is a bird-watching mirador (lookout).

The Centro de Interpretación de la Reserva Nacional Salinas has detailed notes in English and Spanish about the area’s geology and fauna. All four members of the South American camelid family thrive on the pampas (high plains) in this region: the domesticated llama and alpaca, and the wild vicuña and (timid and rare) guanaco.

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Nearby Arequipa & Canyon Country attractions

1. Paso de Patopampa

9.21 MILES

The highest point on the road between Arequipa and Chivay is this almost lifeless pass which, at 4910m, is significantly higher than Europe’s Mt Blanc and…

2. Astronomical Observatory

15.65 MILES

No light pollution equals excellent Milky Way vistas. The Casa Andina hotel six blocks southwest of the Plaza de Armas has a tiny observatory which holds…

3. Patahuasi

15.76 MILES

The only civilization between Arequipa and Chivay, save for a few scattered farmsteads, is this fork in the road that acts as a kind of truck/bus stop and…

4. Museo Yanque

17.66 MILES

This university-run museum is unexpectedly comprehensive for a small village, explaining the culture of the Cañón del Colca in conscientious detail…

5. Baños Chacapi

17.96 MILES

These hot springs, a more basic version of La Calera in Chivay, are a 30-minute walk down to the river from the plaza. The early-bird opening time is…

6. Uyo Uyo

18.83 MILES

The remnants of this pre-Inca settlement aren't visible from the road, but can be reached by a half-hour uphill hike from Yanque (or one hour along Carr…

7. Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca

25.43 MILES

The paved road from Arequipa climbs northeast past volcanoes El Misti and Chachani to this national reserve, which covers 367,000 hectares at an average…

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placement: superzone
path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],

targeting:

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  "url": "peru/reserva-nacional-salinas-y-aguada-blanca/attractions/pampa-de-toccra/a/poi-sig/1408184/1327064",
  "destination": "Arequipa-&-Canyon-Country",
  "continent": "South-America",
  "country": "Peru",
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