From Arequipa: Salinas Lagoon Full-Day Trip with Hot Springs

Salt, volcanoes, and hot springs await. This 12-hour trip from Arequipa packs a lot into one long day, taking you from the Chiguata District to Salinas Lagoon, the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reservation, and the Lojen Hot Springs. I especially like the mix of wild scenery and local stops, plus the chance to see flamingos, llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas in their natural setting. The main caution is altitude: Salinas Lagoon sits at about 4,300 meters, and some people have suffered headaches because they were not prepared.

I also like that the tour includes transport and an English or Spanish-speaking guide for $49 per person. That is a fair price for a full day outside Arequipa, though meals, entrance fees, the hot springs, and the trip back to your hotel are extra. Plan for a very early start, a late return, and a final walk or taxi from the Plaza de Armas area.

Key Points at a Glance

• Salinas Lagoon sits at 4,300 meters: Expect crisp air, strong sun, volcano views, salt flats, water mirrors, and possible flamingo sightings.
• The tour makes several scenic stops: You visit the Mirador de los Volcanes, Chiguata’s main square, Alto Simbral, Salinas Lagoon, and Lojen.
• Lojen adds a welcome warm soak: Bring swimwear and a towel, but remember that the hot springs entry fee is not included.
• The altitude is a serious factor: The route reaches about 4,200 to 4,300 meters, so anyone sensitive to height should plan carefully.
• Breakfast and lunch are local extras: You can try traditional food in Chiguata, but meals are paid separately.
• Guide quality can shape the day: Herbert received especially strong praise for his enthusiasm, regional knowledge, friendliness, and willingness to take photos.

Why This Day Trip Is Worth Considering

Salinas Lagoon gives you a very different side of the Arequipa region. Instead of spending the day among city buildings and colonial streets, you head into open Andean country, where volcanoes frame a broad salt lake and wildlife appears against a spare, bright setting.

I like the way this trip combines several kinds of experiences. You get viewpoints, village life, high-altitude plants, wildlife, and hot springs rather than one long drive to a single attraction. The route also gives you a taste of Chiguata, which makes the day feel less like a simple photo stop.

The tradeoff is time. Twelve hours is a long day, and Salinas Lagoon itself receives only about one to one and a half hours. If the lagoon is your main reason for booking, that may feel short, especially if you want to stop often for photos or spend more time watching birds.

Leaving Arequipa for the Chiguata District

Pickup is offered from accommodations in central Arequipa. From there, the drive begins early and continues toward the Chiguata District, with the first major stop about 45 minutes away at the Mirador de los Volcanes.

This viewpoint is a useful opening to the day because it gives you a clear look at the area’s representative volcanoes. Misti, Ubinas, and Pichu Pichu later frame the Salinas Lagoon, so seeing the volcanic setting early helps you understand the scale of the region.

You should have time here for photographs, but the exact pace can depend on the group and road conditions. One practical point comes from the pickup experience: there was a reported issue with collection from accommodation, even though the rest of the day went well. Confirm your pickup point and be ready early. A small delay at the start can make an already long day feel tighter.

Chiguata’s Church and a Traditional Breakfast

The next stop is Chiguata’s main square, home to its traditional Holy Spirit church. This is not just a place to stretch your legs. It gives you a short look at the local town setting before the route climbs higher into open country.

A traditional breakfast is available here at your own cost. I would keep some Peruvian soles ready, since food is not included in the $49 price. The stop also breaks up the drive and gives you a chance to eat before the altitude increases.

Do not expect a long village visit. The day is built around several short stops, so Chiguata functions as both a cultural pause and a meal stop. If local food matters to you, this is one of the better chances to make the outing feel connected to the area rather than purely scenic.

Alto Simbral at 4,200 Meters

About another hour into the journey, the group reaches Alto Simbral, at roughly 4,200 meters above sea level. This is where the high-altitude setting becomes more serious.

You can see plants associated with the region, including queñua, areta, and tola. These details matter because they show that the route is not simply empty ground between Arequipa and the lagoon. The vegetation changes with the height, and the stop gives the guide a chance to explain the plants of the area.

This is also the point where you should pay attention to how your body feels. The tour information does not offer a medical acclimatization program, and one person reported strong headaches after being caught off guard by the altitude. Move slowly, drink water, and do not treat the high point as a minor detail. If you already know that altitude affects you, this trip deserves careful thought.

The bright sun can also make the air feel deceptively mild. Pack layers, protect yourself from the sun, and keep your towel and swimwear accessible rather than buried at the bottom of your bag.

Salinas Lagoon and the Andean Volcanoes

At around 4,300 meters, Salinas Lagoon is the main attraction. It is a high-salt Andean lake inside the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reservation, with Misti, Ubinas, and Pichu Pichu visible around it.

The views are the reason to come. The blue sky, pale salt, reflective water, and volcanoes create strong photo conditions, especially when the lagoon forms mirror-like surfaces. You may also see flamingos along the water, and the surrounding area can bring sightings of llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas.

The group makes several stops around the lagoon during a one to one and a half hour visit. That arrangement is useful because you are not limited to one lookout. You can photograph different parts of the water and watch for wildlife from more than one position.

Still, I would like the schedule to allow more time here. One person specifically wished for a longer stay, and that makes sense. With so much open scenery, you may want to pause quietly rather than rush from one photo point to the next. If the lagoon is your top priority, ask at the beginning how the time will be divided among the stops.

The high altitude affects the experience in another way. You may feel the effort of walking or standing more quickly than expected. This is not a stroll at sea level. Keep your pace easy and tell the guide if you feel unwell.

Wildlife Along the Route

The possibility of seeing wildlife is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. Flamingos are associated with the lagoon, while llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas may appear during the drive or at the open areas near the water.

These sightings are not guaranteed, so you should not book the tour as if it were a wildlife-only outing. The scenery, volcanoes, and salt lake remain the main draw. Still, the combination gives the route more life than a simple viewpoint tour.

Bring a phone or camera with enough battery for a full day. The tour information promises plenty of photo opportunities, and you will likely want to use your camera at the volcano viewpoint, Chiguata, Alto Simbral, the lagoon, and the hot springs area.

A guide can make a real difference here. Herbert received particularly warm praise for explaining the region, sharing his enthusiasm, helping with photos, and being friendly throughout the day. Guide quality can vary by departure, but a strong guide should help you understand what you are seeing rather than simply point out the next stop.

Lojen Hot Springs and the Mini Volcano

After the lagoon, the route continues to Lojen, where you can visit the hot springs and a nearby mini volcano. This is the day’s recovery period, and the warm water should feel welcome after hours in the cold, dry highlands.

Entry to the hot springs is optional and not included. You will need swimwear and a towel, both of which are specifically recommended. Keep them handy so you do not have to unpack your whole bag beside the vehicle.

The hot springs are a pleasant idea, but do not assume the visit is a long spa session. The tour has to fit the return to Chiguata and then Arequipa into the same day. Your bathing time will depend on the group schedule and the pace of earlier stops.

The mini volcano adds another point of interest to the stop. The combination of warm water and volcanic ground connects the relaxing part of the day with the geology you have been seeing since the first viewpoint.

If you feel light-headed from the altitude, use common sense before entering the hot water. The information provided does not give specific medical guidance, so listen to your body and follow the guide’s instructions.

Lunch in Chiguata and the Evening Return

After Lojen, the group returns to Chiguata for lunch. Like breakfast, lunch is not included, so budget separately for both meals and the optional hot springs visit.

Returning to the same town for food is practical. It breaks up the drive back and gives you another chance to try local flavors rather than relying on snacks from Arequipa. The stop also provides a more relaxed ending after the high-altitude portion of the day.

The tour then continues to Arequipa, arriving in the evening. Drop-off is near the Plaza de Armas, not at your hotel. That is easy enough if you are staying centrally, but it matters if you have luggage, mobility concerns, or a long walk ahead. Plan for a short taxi ride if needed.

Is $49 Good Value?

At $49 per person, the tour offers solid value if you want transport, a guide, and several stops without arranging a private vehicle. The day covers a wide area, and the included transportation removes the hassle of finding your own way to a remote high-altitude lake.

The price does not cover everything. You pay separately for:

• Breakfast in Chiguata
• Lunch in Chiguata
• Salinas Reservation entry
• Lojen Hot Springs entry
• Transport from the Plaza de Armas area to your accommodation

That means your real daily cost will be higher than $49. Even so, the base price is reasonable for a 12-hour excursion with round-trip transport from central Arequipa and a bilingual guide.

The value depends on what you want. You get good variety, but not unlimited time at each stop. A private trip might give you more control over timing, but this shared tour is likely the better choice if you want to keep costs down and do not mind following a set schedule.

Who Should Book This Experience?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a full day in nature and enjoy changing scenery. It suits people who want volcano views, wildlife, local food, and hot springs in one outing rather than a single major attraction.

It also works well for photographers. The Mirador de los Volcanes, reflective water, flamingos, volcanoes, and high-altitude plants provide plenty to capture. Just remember that the lagoon portion is limited to roughly one to one and a half hours.

You should think twice if you dislike early starts, long drives, or high-altitude conditions. The route reaches more than 4,000 meters, and the day is physically demanding for some people. The lack of hotel drop-off is another small inconvenience.

The guide can shape the experience. Herbert was praised for his passion, explanations, friendly manner, and help with photos. If your departure has a guide with that same energy, the long drive becomes much more rewarding.

Practical Tips for a Better Day

• Prepare for altitude: Salinas Lagoon reaches about 4,300 meters, and Alto Simbral is about 4,200 meters. Take the elevation seriously.
• Bring swimwear and a towel: You will need both if you choose to enter the Lojen Hot Springs.
• Carry extra money: Meals, reservation entry, and hot springs entry are not included.
• Wear layers: Temperatures can feel different between the sunny viewpoints, open lagoon, and warm springs.
• Keep your camera ready: The tour includes many photo stops, and the lagoon visit is not especially long.
• Confirm pickup details: Pickup is from central Arequipa accommodations, but one departure had a collection problem.
• Expect a long day: You leave early, return in the evening, and finish near the Plaza de Armas.

Should You Book the Salinas Lagoon Tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, varied day outside Arequipa and you are comfortable with high altitude. The volcano views, salt lake, wildlife, local stops, and Lojen Hot Springs give the day a good mix, while the $49 base price keeps it accessible.

Skip it if you want a slow visit focused only on Salinas Lagoon, since the lake receives about one to one and a half hours. Also skip it, or seek medical advice first, if altitude is a serious concern for you. For prepared visitors who accept the long schedule, this is a worthwhile way to see one of the Arequipa region’s most unusual natural settings.

FAQ

How long is the Salinas Lagoon tour from Arequipa?

The tour lasts about 12 hours. It begins in the morning and returns to Arequipa in the evening.

What is included in the tour price?

The $49 price includes pickup from accommodations in central Arequipa, transportation, and an English and Spanish-speaking guide.

Are meals included?

No. Breakfast and lunch in Chiguata are optional and must be paid for separately.

Is the Lojen Hot Springs entry included?

No. Entry to the Lojen Hot Springs is optional and costs extra.

How high is Salinas Lagoon?

Salinas Lagoon is located at about 4,300 meters above sea level. Alto Simbral, another stop, is around 4,200 meters.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour drops you off near Arequipa’s Plaza de Armas. Hotel drop-off is not included.