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The Salar de Surire Natural Monument is located in the



I Region, within the Las Vicuñas National Park, has an area of ​​11,298 hectares.



Its name is due to the characteristic animal species of the place called ´´suri´´ or ñandú. Its eastern area was declared a Natural Monument in 1983, in order to preserve the varied fauna that inhabits the place.



This area has a great thermal oscillation, fluctuating its temperatures between -15 ° C in winter nights and 5 ° C during the day. Its annual rainfall reaches an average of 250 mm, and in general the average temperatures of the year are between 5 ° C and -5 ° C.



Its relief is characterized by presenting a flat surface, which corresponds to that of the Salar de Surire, with a predominant altitude in its center, 4,322 meters, which corresponds to Cerro Oquealla. The land that comprises the National Monument is characterized by a vast number of lagoons of varying size and only two rivers tributaries to the salar. Both of modest flow are the Surire or Casinane River and the Blanco River

There are two camping areas which are located in the Polloqueré Hot Springs sector, it is important to emphasize that these campsites do not have hygienic services so we recommend that you go prepared for this excursion.









Tarapacá Region, 270 km northeast of Iquique. 79 km to the south is Colchane

Santiago-Iquique: air, private and public land. Iquique-Colchane: private and private land route. From Colchane to the monument by a dirt road passable almost all year round.



The fauna recognized in the area is characterized by the vicuña in the highlands, the llama in the foothills and highlands; the alpaca, the ñandú or suri and the Puna partridge in the highlands; the Parina Grande or Andean Flamenco, the James Flamenco or Parina Chica, the Chilean Flamenco, the Caití and the Juarjual Duck in the internal lagoons of the Salar.

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