National network of biological stations

Vilama Lagoon

Jujuy

Chinchilla High Andean Reserve

Vilama Lagoon

Chinchilla High Andean Reserve
DESCRIPTION: The EB Laguna de Vilama is immersed in the Altoandina de la Chinchilla Reserve, which protects high Andean environments of importance for conservation, and promotes the recovery of the Chinchilla (Chinchilla chinchilla) and Vicuña populations (Vicugna vicugna). The wetlands of the reserve, meanwhile, are sites of global importance (RAMSAR site). The area presents extreme conditions of altitude and temperature, so there are some recommendations to take into account.
OBJECTIVES: The Lagunas de Vilama Biological Station was created in 2021, when PhD Alejandro Pietrek, a researcher at CONICET-UNSa, donated a housing module. This station is located in the Altoandina de la Chinchilla Reserve and in the Lagunas de Vilama RAMSAR site. The implementation is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of the province of Jujuy. Its objective is to support research and conservation of biodiversity in the Lagunas de Vilama complex, a high Andean environment inhabited by various threatened species. In addition, it offers logistical resources to carry out conservation and research actions that require a stay of several days. Currently, the station serves as a base for several research projects from different Universities.

Jujuy

Vilama Lagoon

Contact

This form will allow you to contact the person in charge of the biological station. Please note that it does not guarantee or confirm your reservation.

Facilities

Capacity: 5 beds

Camping allowed: Yes

Bathrooms: An external bathroom and a solar shower

Kitchen: Equipped, with a gas stove

Drinking water: No

Electricity: Yes (solar and gasoline generator)

Wifi: No

Signal: No

Permanent staff: Not permanent

Workspace: Office

Additional: Due to low temperatures in winter, the water freezes, so you should bring your own. It is recommended to bring an oxygen tank if possible, especially for people who have never been to 4500 meters above sea level. An alternative is to spend a few days acclimatizing in Abra Pampa and then go up. The track starts from the town of Lagunillas del Farallón, the last place to buy some basic supplies and where there is free Internet in the square. Getting there is easy, although you have to be careful in winter due to ice on the road, and during the summer access is difficult due to the rise of the rivers (it is recommended to travel during the day).

Reservations

Availability: All year round, requires prior reservation and confirmation

Maximum stay: To be defined according to space availability

Cost of stay: Free for Argentine researchers