Tour to the Salinas salt flat and lagoon + Lojen hot springs
- 10k reviews 7 h
In the historic region of Arequipa lies the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve, a sanctuary of flora and fauna surrounded by volcanoes that adorn the horizon, plains that seem endless, and a saltwater lagoon where the slender figures of Andean birds stand out.
If you wish to admire the geography and biodiversity of Arequipa; if you want to explore a reserve inhabited by vicuñas, llamas, alpacas, tarucas, flamingos, or Andean geese, among other species; and if you want to relax in hot springs of volcanic origin, then this tour is perfect for you.
Come and join us on the adventure of exploring the Salinas Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where the Arequipa salt flat and the Lojen hot springs are located. It will be a great experience!
Itineray
Get ready to rise early, as we’ll pick you up around 6:00 in the morning.
We’ll collect you as long as your accommodation is located in the Historic Centre.
If you have any special requirements to coordinate, please contact us immediately. We’re always attentive and ready to meet your needs and address your concerns so you can fully enjoy your trip.
*To ensure you have no doubts about the conditions of our tour, we invite you to read the Details and Notes tab.
The first stop you will make will be in the small village of Chiguata for a good continental breakfast.
Chiguata is a traditional village with pre-Hispanic terraced fields, houses that evoke the past, and a charming church dedicated to the Holy Spirit.
After a delicious breakfast, we will take you to the viewpoint of Chiguata, located just a few minutes by car from the village of Chiguata.
This place is ideal for admiring the Misti volcano, a symbol of the Arequipa region and one of the greatest sources of pride in this area.
After visiting the Chiguata viewpoint, your bus journey will continue towards the queñua (Polylepis besseri) forests and yareta (Azorella compacta) fields of the Salinas Aguada Blanca National Reserve.
Both species are native to the Andes. The queñua is a crucial tree for ecosystems as it absorbs water and prevents erosion, while the yareta (resembling a moss-covered stone) has medicinal properties.
After exploring the queñua and yareta forests, our bus will take you to Salinas Lagoon, approximately an hour away. Along the route, you’ll have the opportunity to observe the unique and impressive Andean geography.
The journey serves as the perfect introduction to one of the standout locations in the Salinas Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where the volcanic silhouettes of Ubinas, Pichu Pichu, Misti, and Chachani stand out.
We will make a stop at an altitude of over 4000 meters above sea level to visit the lagoon, also known as the Salt Flat of Arequipa, a vibrant ecosystem that serves as a refuge for thousands of birds, including the three species of Andean flamingos or “parihuanas.”
The salt flat is one of the main attractions of the Salinas Aguada Blanca National Reserve. During your visit, you will behold the imposing volcanoes Pichu Pichu and Ubinas, and with a bit of luck, you might spot groups of vicuñas roaming freely.
If your tour falls between January and March, you will witness flamingos and water mirrors; if you join us from April to December, you will visit the salt extraction sites.
Hot, medicinal, and even volcanic water in an unexpected place. It’s hard to imagine that amidst the high plateau, where the climate is severe, there exists a haven to escape the low temperatures and enjoy a relaxing bath.
That’s precisely what you’ll experience at the Lojen hot springs, named after the mini volcano nearby. This is why its waters boast high temperatures in a geographical area where cold prevails.
Relaxed after your bath in Lojen and completely satisfied with the experience at the viewpoint, the forests, and the salt flat, you’ll return to the “White City.”
During the journey back, we recommend keeping your eyes wide open so that the extraordinary landscapes of the Salinas Aguada Blanca National Reserve remain permanently etched in your memory.
Our transportation will drop you off very close to the Plaza de Armas in the Historic Centre around 13:30, which is an ideal time for lunch and to taste the flavors of Arequipa’s gastronomy.
Price
The prices shown in the table are:
- Per person in US dollars ($).
- Pple. = people.
- Group = group service, shared.
| Pple. | Group | Private |
| 1 | $32 | $300 |
| 2 | $32 | $150 |
| 3 | $32 | $120 |
| 4 | $32 | $100 |
| 5 | $32 | $90 |
Details
| Details | Group | Private |
| Schedule | 6:00 to 13:30 | You decide |
| Days | Every day | Every day |
| Language | es/en simultaneously | es or en |
| Size | Small group: 6 to 15 pax. | You and your friends |
| Included | Group | Private |
| Pick up from your hotel | ✅ | ✅ |
| Breakfast | ✅ | ✅ |
| Lunch, dinner | ❌ | ❌ |
| Professional Guide | ✅ | ✅ |
| Driver | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tourist vehicle | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tickets for the lagoon: 10 soles pp | ❌ | ❌ |
| Tickets for the hot springs (optional): 5 soles pp | ❌ | ❌ |
| Personalized service | ❌ | ✅ |
| Drop off at your hotel | ❌ | ✅ |
Accessibility: Not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
What do I bring?
- Sweaters
- Rain ponchos
- Anti-slip shoes
- Caps or hats
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- A bottle of water
- Local currency in cash for your entrance tickets
- * Dollars, Euros and cards are not accepted
- * You can buy the entrance tickets the same day of your tour
WhatsApp:
Notes
Pick-ups and timings:
Group tours:
- Pick up times and tour ending times are approximate.
- Bus stop times to visit the attractions, to eat (if applicable) or other activities are always approximate, never exact.
- Arrival times to the attractions on foot are approximate.
- We will pick you up as long as you are in the historic center; otherwise, we will coordinate another meeting place.
- If your hotel doesn’t have a car access, the streets are one-way only or there is a lot of car traffic, then you will walk some blocks to get in the bus.
- We may not pick you up for some tours due to schedules, festivals and strikes.
- When being picked up, we will call for your name, lastname and tour destination; otherwise, don’t get on the bus.
- We will coordinate all pick-up time details one day prior your tour.
Private tours:
- Your pick up time is sharp on time.
- We will do our best to pick you up from your hotel regardless your hotel location.
- We will coordinate all pick-up time details one day prior your tour.
- Your tour ending time is still aproximate; however, we will do our best to end the tour on the scheduled time.
Vehicle type and seats:
Vehicle types — group tours and private tours:
- We implement vehicles authorized by the Ministry of Transportation of Peru.
- The type and size of vehicle will always depend on the group size.
- We implement modern vehicles with air conditioning: H1, Van, Renault and Sprinter.
Seats — group tours:
- You book a seat in the bus — you don’t necessarily book a specific number of seat.
- If you are picked up first from your hotel, then you can can choose some seats.
- Your pickup time will depend on your hotel location.
- Travel partners or couples seat together to 95%; however, we don’t warranty this will happen to 100%.
Road type:
- Much of the road is paved track.
- The last part of the road is a dirt road (compacted earth) with bumps, therefore:
- Dust comes in through the windows
- The vehicle ride is sometimes bumpy
Operability and itinerary:
This tour is subject to variation without any prior notice, due to weather conditions, strikes and any other event that doesn’t allow the normal tour operation.
Cancellations
The cancellation is free as long as you do it 48 hours in advance; otherwise, a fee of 100% of the tour cost will apply.
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