Salinas Lagoon and National Reserve Day Tour from Arequipa

Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve

Created in 1979, the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve protects a huge stretch of the high Andean plateau, the puna, between Arequipa and the Colca region. Its grasslands, wetlands and lakes collect the water that flows down to Arequipa, and its landscapes are some of the most dramatic in southern Peru: golden ichu grass, rocky slopes and snow-capped peaks on every horizon.

Driving through the reserve you pass small herding communities and the Aguada Blanca reservoir, and stop to look at plants adapted to life at altitude, such as the yareta, a bright green cushion plant that grows only a few millimetres a year and can be centuries old. This is a quieter alternative to the Colca road and a fine Arequipa day trip for travellers who want nature without a very long day.

Laguna de Salinas, the white salt lagoon

Laguna de Salinas lies at about 4,300 metres in a basin surrounded by volcanoes. It is a seasonal salt lake: during the rainy months, roughly December to April, it fills with a shallow sheet of water that mirrors the sky, while in the dry season the water evaporates and leaves a dazzling crust of white salt and borax, still harvested by local workers in some areas.

Both faces are beautiful, and the guide plans time at the shore for photos and a short walk. The best time to visit Salinas Lagoon for reflections and birdlife is the wet season, while the dry months bring the clearest skies and the whitest salt flats. Whatever the month, a Salinas Lagoon tour from Arequipa shows you a high Andean landscape that few visitors to Peru ever see.

Flamingos, vicuñas and Andean wildlife

The reserve is one of the best places near Arequipa to see wild vicuñas, the slender, honey-coloured relatives of the llama whose fine wool was reserved for royalty in Inca times. They graze in family groups on the open plains, often close to the road, alongside herds of domestic alpacas and llamas tended by local families.

At Salinas Lagoon, flocks of flamingos feed in the shallow salty water when the lagoon is full; all three Andean species, the Chilean, the Andean and the rarer James's flamingo, can be seen here. You may also spot Andean geese, giant coots and, in rocky areas, the rabbit-like viscacha. Bring binoculars or a zoom lens, as the birds keep some distance from the shore. Sightings vary with the season, but the vicuñas are seen on almost every trip.

Volcano views around Arequipa

Arequipa is ringed by volcanoes, and this tour shows them from angles you cannot see in the city. On the way up you pass the flanks of El Misti, the near-perfect cone that towers over Arequipa at 5,822 metres, and the jagged ridge of Pichu Pichu. From the area of the lagoon you see Ubinas, the most active volcano in Peru, which sometimes releases plumes of steam and ash.

The guide explains how these volcanoes shaped the region, from the white volcanic sillar stone used to build Arequipa's historic centre to the minerals that colour the lagoon. Clear mornings give the best views, which is why the departure is early. On a cloudless day the line of snow-capped summits against the deep blue sky is one of the finest photo moments of the trip.

Altitude, timing and planning your visit

Arequipa sits at about 2,300 metres, and the lagoon is roughly 2,000 metres higher, so it is wise to spend a few days in the city first. Move slowly, drink plenty of water and avoid heavy meals before the trip. Temperatures at the lagoon can be close to freezing in the early morning and warm in the midday sun, so layers are essential.

The tour leaves at around 06:00 and returns to Arequipa in the early afternoon, about 8 hours later, so you still have time to visit the Santa Catalina Monastery or the Plaza de Armas afterwards. Breakfast is not included, so bring something to eat along with water and snacks. The reserve's tourist entry ticket is not included and is paid on site in cash.