Routes and Tips: Pampa Galeras; Up Here in the Pampa
Located
in Lucanas province in Ayacucho department, the reserve is only three hours overland or
about 100 kilometers, from the city of Nazca. It has an extension of 6,500 hectares but
the zone under its influence is about 60,000 hectares, covering the lands of peasant
communities in the area. Pampa Galeras Barbara D'Achille, the name given to the reserve in
1993 in memory of the outstanding conservationist, is situated at 3,800 meters above sea
level. Staff at the reserve have developed an efficient security system with a team that
carries out forest patrols to prevent the indiscriminate killing of the vicuña. To get to
Pampa Galeras, take the Nazca-Cuzco route which should be paved shortly because it
connects the coast with areas such as Puquio, Chalhuanca and Abancay. There is no lodging
but it is possible to camp out near the administrative offices, which means bringing
camping equipment and food. The best alternative is to stay overnight at one of the hotels
in Nazca. Besides vicuña, you can see a wide variety of flora and fauna at the reserve.
Shrubs, graminaes, ferns and cactus and ichu, a kind of straw, are common. There are small
forests of quenoales, many of which are at least a century old and measure more than a
meter in diameter. In these forests, deer, tarucas and cougars are easily spotted. There
is also an infinity of Andean wolves, vizcachas and guinea pigs. It also possible to see
eagles, partridges, the ñandu, a species of ostrich. Puya Raimondi, an exceptional plant
which grows as high as 12 meters and flowers every 100 years, has been also been found on
the reserve.
Volume I/Issue 4, Page 60
Edited, 2003
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