Las Vicuñas National Reserve

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Las Vicuñas National Reserve
IUCN Category Ia (Strict Nature Reserve)
Location	Arica and Parinacota Region, Chile
Nearest city	Putre
Coordinates	18°38′0″S 69°12′0″W / -18.63333, -69.2
Area	209,131 km²
Governing body	Corporación Nacional Forestal

Las Vicuñas National Reserve is a nature reserve located in the Parinacota Province, Arica and Parinacota Region, Chile. The reserve lies immediately south of Lauca National Park and in its southern portion is contiguous to Salar de Surire Natural Monument, all of which form Lauca Biosphere Reserve. The major elevations are Arintica and Puquintica.

This Puna ecosystem preserves high-altitude wildlife, including Vicuñas, for which the reserve is named.

Much of the reserve consists of extensive Andean steppes cut by rivers and quebradas, being Lauca River the main one. Typical vegetation includes pajonal, tolar and llaretal formations. In some areas is possible to find specimen of Polylepis tarapacana.