Laguna de Salinas

6:00 am: Departure to Salinas 7:30 am: Arrival in Chiguata and breakfast 9:00 am: Stop at the Mirador de los Volcanes 10:00 am: Arrival at the extensive salt flat of the Salinas Reserve where you will appreciate all the saltpeter production and spectacular atmosphere for photos. 10:30 am: Arrival at the Salinas Lagoon where you will appreciate the water mirrors and also have an incredible reflection effect in the Salt Flats. 11:00 am: Visit of the High Andean Camelid and Bird Reserve 11:30 p.m.: Optional time for the mini thermal wells. 12:00 pm: Return to Arequipa 1:30 pm: Arrival in the city

Itinerary We will pick you up at your hotel in Arequipa between 6:00 and 6:30 a.m. to begin the journey to the Salinas Lagoon, located on the border of the National Reserve of Salinas and Aguada Blanca. During the trip we will stop in Chiguata, a typical village of the area, to have a continental breakfast consisting of juice, mate or coffee, cereal and toast. We will go into nature to discover the flora and fauna of the Arequipa region surrounding the Salinas Lagoon. We will only have to look up to discover that we are on the backside of the Misti volcano. Did you know that it is one of the 10 active volcanoes in the area? During the trip we will see an Andean forest made up of small trees and bushes, called queñuales in this area! Finally we will arrive at the Salinas Lagoon. If it is dry, it will welcome us with a snow-white color. And if there is water, we can approach the shore to see the large amount of salt that accumulates. Did you know that it is the only lagoon where you can see three types of flamingos? In addition, alpacas and llamas will accompany us during our walk around the lake. We will be able to explore the surroundings of the lake and the area of the Lojen volcano, as well as some thermal baths. After the walk, we will leave you free time for lunch and then return to Arequipa. We will drop you off at your respective hotels around 4:30 pm.

DETAILED ITINERARY 6:00 a.m. – 6:20 a.m. – We begin picking up guests from hotels in the city center. 6:45 a.m. We begin our journey to the Salinas Lagoon, making several stops along the way. 7:30 a.m. - Our first visit will be to the Mirador de los Volcanes (Volcano Viewpoint) in the district of Chiguata, which will take about 45 minutes to reach. From there, we will be able to see our representative volcanoes and take photos. We will then arrive at the town of Chiguata and visit the main square, where you will find the traditional Espíritu Santo Church. Afterwards, we will enjoy a traditional local breakfast. We will then continue on our way and, after approximately one hour, we will stop at Alto Simbral (4,200 meters above sea level), where we will be able to observe plants native to the area, such as queñua, yareta, tola, etc. 10:00 a.m. - Continuing our tour, we will arrive at the Salinas Lagoon, where we will stay for between one hour and one hour and a half, making various stops to observe flamingos, parihuanas, water mirrors, and vicuñas, llamas, and alpacas. At certain times of the year, due to the dry season, we will visit the salt extraction centers where imagination is essential for taking spectacular photographs. 11:00 a.m. – Afterwards, we will enjoy the landscapes by walking around the area or, optionally, enjoying the hot springs. Depending on the weather, we may take a short walk through the reserve. 11:30 a.m. – Return to the city of Arequipa 1:30 pm.- Approximate arrival in the city of Arequipa and end of the tour. Disembarkation very close to the main square.

Departure: 06:00 - 06:30 am Plaza de Armas. Return: 05:00 pm (tourist stop). What places will we visit? - Visit the traditional village of Chihuata and its andenerias. - Stop at a viewpoint to observe the three volcanoes of Arequipa (Chachani, Misti and Pichupichu) and its terraces. - During the trip we will be able to see the Queñuales and Yaretales trees near the Pichu-pichu volcano. - Hike in the lagoon and salt flats. - Observation of South American camelids (Llamas, Alpacas and vicuñas) and high Andean birds of the area (Flamingos). - Visit to the eye of the thermal water in the area called LOGEN, in this place we will observe the mini-volcano and use of the hot springs. - Then we will stop for lunch. - Return to the city of Arequipa.

Discover the natural wonders of the Salinas Lagoon and the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reservation on this multi-stop day tour, including round-trip transportation from Arequipa. Surround yourself in nature and take a dip in the Lojen Hot Springs. Start bright and early with pickup directly from accommodation in Arequipa. Then start the journey to the Laguna de Salinas (Salinas Lagoon), making a few different stops along the way. After a 45-minute ride, arrive at your first stop: the Mirador de los Volcanes in the Chiguata District. From there, you’ll be able to observe the area’s representative volcanoes and take unbeatable photos. Reach the main square of Chiguata where its traditional holy spirit church is located. Take a seat and taste a traditional breakfast of the area (costs not included). In another hour, stop at Alto Simbral (4200 masl) where you can observe plants of the area such as queñua, areta, tola, and more. Arrive finally at the Salinas Lagoon where you’ll stay between 1 and 1.5 hours, making different stops to observe flamingos and water mirrors. The Salinas Lagoon is a high-salt Andean lake located at 4300 m. high within the protected Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reservation. Here, you’ll be surrounded by the volcanoes Misti, Ubinas, and Pichu Pichu. Afterward, head towards the Lojen Hot Springs and mini volcano to enjoy a relaxing bath (fees not included). After unwinding in the hot springs, return to Chiguata to have lunch (fees not included) and then start making your way back to the city of Arequipa. Arrive in the evening and get dropped off near the Plaza de Armas.

6:00 am: Departure to Salinas 7:30 am: Arrival in Chiguata and breakfast 9:00 am: Stop at the Mirador de los Volcanes 10:00 am: Arrival at the extensive salt flat of the Salinas Reserve where you will appreciate all the saltpeter production and spectacular atmosphere for photos. 10:30 am: Arrival at the Salinas Lagoon where you will appreciate the water mirrors and also have an incredible reflection effect in the Salt Flats. 11:00 am: Visit of the High Andean Camelid and Bird Reserve 11:30 p.m.: Optional time for the mini thermal wells. 12:00 pm: Return to Arequipa 1:30 pm: Arrival in the city

7:00 a.m. Departure to Laguna de Salinas, at 4,300 m.a.s.l., between the Misti, Ubinas and Pichupichu volcanoes. Throughout the year we can see vicuñas and sometimes llamas and alpacas. We can also see the vizcacha and, if we are lucky, some Andean fox. We can also observe a plant that only grows at more than 4,000 m.a.s.l. called Yareta (Azorella compacto). Here we can see three different species of flamingos. - Phoenicopteras chilensis (Chilean flamingo). - Phoenicoparras andinas (Great Andean Parihuana). - Phoenicoparras jamesi (Small Andean Parihuana). If there is not too much water, we can even cross the lagoon in our 4x4. After visiting this protected area of the reserve we will return to Arequipa, being able to take photos along the way of beautiful landscapes as well as the Misti volcano.

6:00 a.m.: Departure to Salinas 7:30 a.m.: Arrival in Chiguata and breakfast 9:00 a.m.: Stop at the Mirador de los Volcanes 10:00 a.m.: Arrival at the extensive salt flat of the Salinas Reserve where you will appreciate all the saltpeter production and a spectacular environment for taking photos. 10:30 a.m.: Arrival at the Laguna de Salinas where you will appreciate the water mirrors and also an incredible reflection effect in the Salar. 11:00 a.m.: Visit to the Reserve of Camelids and High Andean Birds 11:30 p.m.: Optional time for the mini thermal pools. 12:00 p.m.: Return to Arequipa 1:30 p.m.: Arrival in the city

6:00 a.m.: Departure to Salinas 7:30 a.m.: Arrival in Chiguata and breakfast 9:00 a.m.: Stop at the Mirador de los Volcanes 10:00 a.m.: Arrival at the extensive salt flat of the Salinas Reserve where you will appreciate all the saltpeter production and a spectacular environment for taking photos. 10:30 a.m.: Arrival at the Laguna de Salinas where you will appreciate the water mirrors and also an incredible reflection effect in the Salar. 11:00 a.m.: Visit to the Reserve of Camelids and High Andean Birds 11:30 p.m.: Optional time for the mini thermal pools. 12:00 p.m.: Return to Arequipa 1:30 p.m.: Arrival in the city

At 3:00 AM, you will commence this full-day adventure to Colca Canyon with the pick-up from your hotel and departure to the charming town of Chivay, a journey that will take approximately 3 hours with stop at viewpoint of volcanoes. At 6:00 AM, you'll enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading to the picturesque village of Yanque, where you'll witness the traditional dances and admire its impressive colonial church. Continue the journey to the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, located 41 km from Chivay. This spot offers a spectacular view of the canyon, and there's most likely a chance to witness the majestic flight of the condors. On the way back, explore the charming towns of Pinchollo and Maca, as well as the Viewpoints of Antahuilque, where you'll appreciate the magnitude of the terraces. In Choquetico, observe hanging tombs and stone models, immersing yourself in the historical richness of the area. You'll also indulge in the Chacapi hot springs. After lunch in Chivay, you'll start the return journey to Arequipa, making brief stops at the Patapampa Andes and Toqra viewpoint to observe llamas and alpacas, and the Pampa Cañahuas National Reserve, where you can admire vicuñas in their natural habitat. You'll be in Arequipa around 5:30 PM.