The Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve is located between the departments of Arequipa and Moquegua, in the provinces of Arequipa, Caylloma and General Sánchez, in the volcanic cordillera. It was created on 9 August 1979 and covers an area of ​​366,936 hectares and is located at an altitude of 4300 meters. It is home to majestic volcanoes like the Misti, Chachani, Pichupichu and Ubinas. Among the mountains, in the highland plains created in a natural way, vicunas, alpacas, llamas and guanacos coexist. The reserve also has enchanting lagoons and "bofedales" (high-altitude wetlands), habitat for birds such as flamingos and cordillera ducks.

The inhabitants of the place have a vision of the world very tied to the nature and the balance of all its elements. They also preserve the principles of the yanapacuy, ayni (mutual aid) and the minka, tinkan (offering to land and water), knowledge and use of healing plants. The economy is based on the shepherding of South American domestic camelids that supply meat and fiber for community clothing and for sale.