Salinas Salt Lagoon Private Tour from Arequipa: 3-Hour Hike

Hike to high-altitude salt flats and see llamas, alpacas and two volcanoes in one day

A full-day private tour from Arequipa to Salinas Lagoon in the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reservation combines a 3-hour scenic drive, a 3-kilometer hike and wildlife viewing at 3,000 meters elevation. You'll see South American camelids, llamas, alpacas and bird species, plus views of Ñuñu and Ubinas volcanoes, with hotel pickup, a specialist guide and snacks included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Salinas Salt Lagoon full-day tour

• Hotel pickup in Arequipa at 7:30 am
• Drive 3 hours to Salinas Lagoon
• Travel paved and dirt roads near Pichu Pichu
• Visit Salinas Luicho and observe wildlife
• Enter Salinas Salt if lagoon has water
• View Ñuñu and Ubinas volcanoes
• Hike up to 3 km around the area
• Return to Arequipa by 5:00 pm

The experience

The day starts at 7:30 am with pickup from your Arequipa hotel, then a 3-hour drive on paved and dirt roads toward Baños de Jesús and Chiguata, climbing into the high slopes of Pichu Pichu. The route takes you through the national reserve toward the lagoon itself, where the landscape shifts from scrubland to the stark terrain where salt and water meet at altitude.

Once there, you'll hike up to 3 kilometers around the area, taking in views of Ñuñu (a small volcano) and Ubinas volcano across the flats. The hike is the centerpiece of the day, not a stroll, but a moderate walk at elevation where you might spot native wildlife: llamas, alpacas and various bird species that live in this high-altitude zone. If the lagoon has enough water, you'll also visit Salinas Salt itself. The whole experience stays inside the national reserve, so entry is handled as part of the tour.

You return to Arequipa by around 5 pm. The tour runs in all weather, so bring a jacket for wind and cold, and hiking shoes with sturdy pants. A specialist guide leads the whole day in English, and snacks and bottled water are provided. A minimum of two people is required per booking, and the operator recommends at least moderate physical fitness for the hike and the altitude.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Arequipa.
• private transport for the full day.
• entrance fee to Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve.
• a specialist guide in English.
• snacks and bottled water.

Before you book

Lasts 10h, runs every day at 07:00, from US$ 140 per person, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 to 75 years) · Under 13: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Arequipa Tour

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so you travel with your own group and set the pace of the hike with your guide: ideal if you want to move at your own speed and avoid a larger group. The full day and the 3-hour hike suit travelers with moderate fitness who are comfortable at altitude. If you prefer shorter walks or lower elevations, look for a different Arequipa tour.

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Top questions

How high is the Salinas Lagoon and what's the hike like at that elevation?

The lagoon sits at 3,000 meters (about 10,000 feet), and the hike covers up to 3 kilometers around the area. The operator recommends moderate physical fitness for the altitude and the terrain, and a minimum age of 13.

What wildlife will I actually see at Salinas Lagoon?

South American camelids, llamas, alpacas and various bird species live in the high-altitude zone around the lagoon. Sightings depend on the day and the season, but the landscape itself is built around where these animals graze.

Is the drive to Salinas Lagoon rough, or is it mostly paved road?

The first part follows a paved road toward Baños de Jesús and Chiguata, then turns onto dirt roads with bumps as you climb the slopes of Pichu Pichu. The 3-hour drive is part of the experience, not a quick transfer.

Can I see inside the salt lagoon itself, or just hike around it?

You may enter Salinas Salt if there's enough water in the lagoon at the time of your visit. The hike also takes you past views of Ñuñu and Ubinas volcanoes, so the day includes both the salt flats and the surrounding volcanic landscape.

What's included in the tour price, and what do I need to bring?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, private transport, a specialist guide, entrance to the national reserve, snacks and bottled water are all included. Bring hiking shoes, pants and a jacket for wind and cold. The operator notes that vegan and vegetarian snack options are available.