The first National Park in Bolivian lands owes its name to a giant guest that plays with the clouds, and sleeps profoundly in spite of the bustling "voices" of the birds and other animals that maraud through this charming place.

We are speaking of the Sajama volcano, the highest peak in Bolivia with 6,542 mts altitude. Without any doubt, the main attraction in the National Park that takes its name, because its figure seduces and enchants any visitor that goes into this marvel of nature.

In the surroundings of the imposing Sajama, there is a forest of Keua, the tree that grows at the major altitude in the world (5,200 mts.altitude). At the beginning of the last century, their wood was used limitlessly in the foundries and the construction of railroads.

To avoid the extinction of one of the favorite sons of the nation, the government decided to protect it by means of the creation, in 1939, of a National Park, with an extension of 100,223 hectares, that extended through the Sajama, Laguna, Cosapa, Caripe and Curahuara cantons of the district of Carangas, Sajama county, department of Oruro.

Since then, a valuable campaign began in favor of the protection and care of natural resources in Bolivia. So far, more than 30 protected areas have been created in diverse regions of the country, but not all of them have been properly developed due to the lack of resources and poor tourist vision.

Flora and fauna

Among the important rivers we find: Sajama, Tomarapi and Esquillani. Some of the lagoons of the area are inhabited by numerous characteristic birds of the Andean fauna: the flamingos (parihuanas), ducks, gulls, the water hen and the Andean avoceta, among others.

It also covers colourful and beautiful animals that are in danger of extinction: the suri (Pterocnemia pennata), the quirquincho (Chaetophractus nationi) and the vicua (Vicugna vicugna) and the other South American camels, as the llama and the alpaca, domesticated since ancestral times and that today still constitute the support of the peasant's economy in this part of the continent.

Besides, the forests of Keua (Polylepis tarapacana), the bofedales with big yaretales and humid pastures are very important in the region.


Population

The population of this National Park resides in the small communities of Sajama and Caripe that are located around the sleeping volcano; but numerous farms are also seen; in them, circular houses are still built, following the traditional aymara techniques.

Most of the people that surround the area of the Sajama Park is dedicated to the breeding of South American camels, particularly alpacas. They collect the wool and then use it for the knitting of very appreciated fabrics famed for their warming capacity, at the same time that they make beautiful handmade pieces.

Place of a rich past and tradition: Sajama keeps many archaeological sites of great cultural importance. Among them are found Chullperios or pre-Columbian cemeteries, pictography and pre-Columbian vestiges. In the near communities there are colonial churches of splendid design.

A region of the Andes that invites us to meditate about the importance of protecting and keeping the environment, in a world that is constantly destroying its natural wealth. The pioneer of the National Parks of Bolivia welcomes you.