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

The best part of this day trip is the sharp change of scenery. You leave Arequipa for the high Andes, where Salinas Lagoon sits at 4,300 meters among Misti, Ubinas, and Pichu Pichu. The route adds volcano viewpoints, Andean plants, flamingos, water mirrors, and a warm bath at Lojen.

I like the mix of wildlife and scenery, especially the chance to see llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas along the way. I also like that the day includes a proper stop at the Lojen Hot Springs, not just a quick photo stop. Guide Herbert has earned special praise for his passion, explanations, and willingness to take pictures.

The main catch is altitude. The route reaches 4,200 to 4,300 meters, and one traveler reported serious headaches after not preparing for the thin air. The Salinas Lagoon stop lasts about one to one and a half hours, which may feel short if you want a slow, quiet visit.

Key points at a glance

• Salinas Lagoon at 4,300 meters: See a high-salt lake, water mirrors, flamingos, and volcanoes inside the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reservation.
• Lojen Hot Springs: Bring swimwear and a towel for an optional soak near a mini volcano.
• Chiguata stops: Visit the main square and traditional Holy Spirit church, with optional local breakfast and lunch.
• High Andean plants: At Alto Simbral, around 4,200 meters, look for queñua, areta, tola, and other plants adapted to cold conditions.
• Guide quality matters: Herbert is especially praised for explaining the region, helping with photos, and keeping the day friendly.
• $49 value: Transportation, central Arequipa pickup, and a bilingual guide are included, but meals, reservation entry, hot springs entry, and hotel drop-off cost extra.

Leaving Arequipa for Chiguata’s volcano viewpoint

This is an early start, with pickup from your accommodation in central Arequipa. The tour lasts about 12 hours, so you should treat it as a full day rather than a casual morning outing.

After roughly 45 minutes on the road, the first stop is the Mirador de los Volcanes in the Chiguata District. This is a useful opening view because it gives you a sense of the enormous volcanic setting before the route climbs higher.

From the viewpoint, you can see the area’s representative volcanoes and take photos beneath the wide Andean sky. The stop is also a good chance to start moving slowly and checking how your body feels at altitude. You are not yet at the highest point of the day, but the change from Arequipa is already clear.

I like this first stop because it gives the tour a sense of place. You are not being rushed straight to the lagoon without context. The volcanoes help explain why this region feels so different from the city.

Chiguata square and a local breakfast

The next stop is the main square of Chiguata, home to its traditional Holy Spirit church. You can sit here and have a local breakfast, though the meal is optional and not included in the price.

This stop adds a human side to the day. The lagoon and hot springs are the main attractions, but Chiguata gives you a short look at a town connected to the surrounding highland countryside.

Do not expect an included café meal or a set breakfast menu. You pay for food separately, so carry some extra cash for both breakfast and lunch. The supplied details do not specify exact dishes, but the stop is intended to offer traditional local flavors rather than a standard tourist buffet.

The timing matters. A breakfast stop can be welcome on an early departure, but it also adds to an already long day. If you prefer a quicker route to the lagoon, this is one of the less essential stops. If you enjoy local food and small-town settings, it helps make the trip feel less like a simple transport service.

Alto Simbral at 4,200 meters

About an hour later, the route reaches Alto Simbral, at approximately 4,200 meters. This is one of the high points of the outing, and it is where you can see plants shaped by harsh Andean conditions.

The tour identifies queñua, areta, and tola among the plants found here. These names may mean little before you arrive, but they give the guide something useful to explain. This is a place to notice how life survives in a cold, dry, high setting rather than simply looking for a large attraction.

Take this stop slowly. The altitude is not a minor detail. A reported headache problem came from not being prepared for the elevation, and that warning deserves attention. You may feel fine, but you might also notice shortness of breath or a headache. Follow the guide’s pace, avoid unnecessary exertion, and do not assume that a full day at lower elevation prepares you for 4,200 meters.

The tour information does not provide a separate acclimatization plan, so this outing is best for someone already comfortable with high-altitude travel or prepared to take the day gently. If you have concerns about altitude, ask a medical professional before booking.

Reaching Salinas Lagoon at 4,300 meters

The main stop is Salinas Lagoon, a high-salt Andean lake inside the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reservation. At 4,300 meters, the setting is wide, bright, and exposed, with the volcanoes Misti, Ubinas, and Pichu Pichu around you.

You will spend about one to one and a half hours at the lagoon, making several stops. The main sights include flamingos and water mirrors, where the surface can reflect the sky and surrounding peaks. This is the part of the trip most likely to fill your camera.

The setting is not a polished attraction with a long visitor route. It is a protected natural area, and the appeal comes from the open space, salt lake, birds, plants, and volcanic backdrop. You will want to keep your eyes moving. One stop may be about the water, another about birds, and another about the distant peaks.

The limited time is the biggest weakness here. One hour may be enough for the planned viewpoints, but it does not leave much room for a slow walk, extended photography, or waiting patiently for wildlife. If Salinas Lagoon is your main reason for booking, you may wish for more time. Still, the tour includes several different sights, so the schedule gives you a broad taste of the region rather than lingering in one place.

Dress for strong sun and cold conditions. The supplied information does not specify a clothing list, but the altitude and open setting make practical layers sensible. Bring water and protect yourself from the sun. The tour specifically asks you to bring swimwear and a towel for the hot springs later.

Wildlife and photo stops along the route

The scenery is only part of the appeal. The route can include llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas, along with flamingos at Salinas Lagoon. These animals give the day more character than a simple volcano-viewing trip.

You should keep your camera ready, but do not expect wildlife to appear on a fixed schedule. The itinerary includes stops to observe flamingos, while the llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas are encountered along the route. A good guide can help you notice animals and explain what you are seeing.

Guide Herbert received particularly strong praise for being friendly, explaining the region with enthusiasm, and helping with photos. Guide quality matters on a long day like this. The drive between stops is substantial, and a guide who shares information can turn empty road time into part of the outing.

The tour offers English and Spanish-speaking guides. Since guide assignments can vary, you should not assume Herbert will lead your departure, but his strengths show what to value: clear explanations, local passion, and practical help at the viewpoints.

Lojen Hot Springs and the mini volcano

After Salinas Lagoon, the route heads to Lojen Hot Springs and a nearby mini volcano. This is the day’s most relaxing stop and a welcome contrast to the cold, high-altitude viewpoints.

The hot springs entry fee is not included, and the bath is optional. You will need your own swimwear and towel. The tour information does not give the entry price, changing-room details, or water temperature, so check current conditions if these points matter to you.

I like the way the hot springs are placed in the schedule. After several scenic stops and time at high altitude, a warm soak gives you a chance to slow down before the return drive. It also makes the trip feel like more than a sightseeing circuit.

The mini volcano adds a geological detail to the visit, but the main draw is the bath. If you do not want to use the springs, you should confirm how much free time is available at this stop. The activity is optional, and the tour still continues afterward.

Lunch in Chiguata and the long return to Arequipa

After the hot springs, the group returns to Chiguata for lunch. Like breakfast, lunch is not included, so budget separately for it. This arrangement keeps the tour price low, but it means the advertised $49 is not the full cost of the day.

The final drive returns you to Arequipa in the evening, with drop-off near the Plaza de Armas rather than directly at your hotel. That is convenient if you are staying in the central area, but less convenient if your accommodation is elsewhere or if you are carrying wet swimwear and a daypack after the hot springs.

The return journey is worth considering before you book. This is a 12-hour outing with an early beginning and evening finish. You may be tired by the end, especially if the altitude affects you. On the other hand, the long schedule is what allows the tour to combine Chiguata, Alto Simbral, Salinas Lagoon, Lojen, and the hot springs in one day.

What the $49 price really covers

At $49 per person, this is a good-value way to reach a remote part of the Arequipa Region without arranging your own transport. The price includes central hotel pickup, transportation, and an English or Spanish-speaking guide.

You pay extra for four important items:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reservation entry
• Lojen Hot Springs entry

The extra costs do not automatically make the tour poor value. The route covers considerable distance, and private transport to these highland sites could cost much more. The value is strongest if you want several sights in one day and prefer not to manage the driving yourself.

The value is weaker if you want a leisurely stay at Salinas Lagoon or a quiet hot-springs visit. The schedule is designed for coverage. You see many places, but you do not get a long, unhurried stay at each one.

The reserve fee and hot springs fee are not stated, so you should check the current total before booking. Also remember that hotel drop-off is not included. You finish near the Plaza de Armas, which is useful for central plans but not a full door-to-door service.

Who should book this day trip

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a broad introduction to the high country around Arequipa. It suits people who enjoy volcano views, wildlife, unusual plants, open scenery, and a warm bath at the end of a demanding day.

It also works well for someone who has limited time in Arequipa. Instead of arranging separate transport to Chiguata, Salinas Lagoon, and Lojen, you can cover them in one organized trip.

You should think twice if you dislike early starts, long drives, or fixed schedules. You should also be cautious if you have not prepared for high altitude. The route reaches 4,300 meters, and that is the single most important practical issue.

This is not a luxury spa day. The hot springs are one stop in a larger nature outing, and the food is bought separately. Think of it as a full highland circuit with a relaxing finish.

Practical details before you go

Pickup is offered from accommodations in Arequipa city center. The return is near the Plaza de Armas, not necessarily at your hotel.

The duration is about 12 hours, and starting times vary, so check availability before you reserve. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.

Pack:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Water
• Sun protection
• Warm layers suitable for high altitude
• Extra money for breakfast, lunch, reserve entry, and hot springs entry

The guide speaks English or Spanish. Since meals and fees are separate, ask about the expected extra costs if you need to plan a precise budget.

Should you book the Salinas Lagoon tour?

Book it if you want a full day of high-Andean scenery with volcanoes, wildlife, a salt lake, local food stops, and hot springs. The $49 base price is fair for the transport and guide, especially if you are short on time.

Skip it if your priority is a long, quiet visit at Salinas Lagoon, or if high altitude is likely to be a serious problem. The strongest choice is to book with realistic expectations: this is a long, active day with several stops, not a slow retreat.

For many people, the combination is the appeal. You get the stark beauty of Salinas Lagoon, the small-town stop at Chiguata, the plants of Alto Simbral, and a warm soak at Lojen. Just prepare for the altitude, bring your towel, and leave room in the budget for the fees and meals.

FAQ

How long is the Salinas Lagoon and hot springs trip?

The trip lasts about 12 hours. Check availability for the exact starting time.

Where does pickup and drop-off take place?

Pickup is available from accommodations in central Arequipa. The return drop-off is near the Plaza de Armas, and hotel drop-off is not included.

Is food included in the tour price?

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

Are the hot springs included?

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

How high is Salinas Lagoon?

Salinas Lagoon is located at approximately 4,300 meters. Alto Simbral, another stop, is around 4,200 meters.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel for the hot springs. You should also prepare for high altitude with suitable clothing and personal essentials.