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Sama reserve: Tajzara lagoons

Tarija Department · Altiplano, lakes and salt flats

Sama reserve: Tajzara lagoons, photo 1
Photo: Mattapia 63, CC BY-SA 4.0

Climbing from Tarija towards the Altiplano, the road crosses the Cordillera de Sama reserve up to the Tajzara lagoons, at almost 3,700 m. Around the Laguna Grande are sand dunes and golden grasses, and on the water all three species of Andean flamingo. You can walk on old pre-Hispanic trails.

3,700 maltitude
1 dayto spend there
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High altitude. Above 3,500 m, altitude sickness (soroche) is common. Arrive gradually, drink plenty and take it slow on the first day.

Things to do

  • Laguna Grande de Tajzara and its flamingos
  • Dunes around the lagoons
  • Iscayachi village and its adobe church
  • Sama's pre-Hispanic trail

What to eat

  • Llama meatLean and tasty meat, often grilled or as “charque” (dried). Very common in Uyuni and on the Altiplano.
  • Quinoa soupA hot soup of quinoa and vegetables, served in refuges and high-altitude comedores. Perfect when it's cold.
Tip. Day tour from Tarija, or the bus towards Villazón to Iscayachi. Cold and windy up high.

How to get to Tajzara

  • Tarija Road (bus, car) · 2 to 3 h

    Day tour, or the bus towards Villazón to Iscayachi.

Photos of Sama reserve: Tajzara lagoons

Sama reserve: Tajzara lagoons, photo 2
Photo: Ariel Colque, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sama reserve: Tajzara lagoons, photo 3
Photo: Mattapia 63, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sama reserve: Tajzara lagoons, photo 4
Photo: Joshua 66, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sama reserve: Tajzara lagoons, photo 5
Photo: Freesia Alba, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sama reserve: Tajzara lagoons, photo 6
Photo: Laura Rodríguez, CC BY-SA 4.0

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