Explore Amazing Wildlife And Landscapes Surrounded By Active Volcanoes Of South Of Peru
La Laguna de Salinas (4300M) is located on the back side of Misti volcano and Pichu Pichu Mountain – From Arequipa is possible to get there by paved road toward Baños de Jesus and Chiguata (3000M) and then uphill following a dirty and bumpy road on Pichu Pichu Mount slopes passing a peculiar Andean forest as known as Queñuales (Polylepis) and La Llareta (Azorella compacta) – The distance from Arequipa to Salinas salt lagoon are 89KM and driving takes around 2h30m thanks to not good condition of the road – The road pass through Misti volcano and Pichu Pichu Mountain.
Salinas salt lake is part of the national reserve of Salinas and Aguada Blanca, located on the south east of volcan Misti – The 60% of the lake is located in the territory of Arequipa region and the other 40% is part of Moquegua region – The Salinas salt lake is home of many kind of birds especially during and after the raining season till June – Easily the bird watcher lover can recognize Puna, Andean and Chilean flamingos, Andean goose, Andean avocet, Tamarugo Conebill, Puna plover, Canasteros, eagle and if you are lucky is possible to see some Andean Condors flying around – Within the bosque de Queñuas or Quiwiña (Polylepis) sometime is possible to see different of sizes of hummingbirds as known as Picaflor Andino – Also are present the Andean foxes, Viscacha (Lagidium peruanum), lizard, falcons, deer, Vicuña, Llamas, Alpaca and sometimes Huanacos and Andean Puma.
DAY ITINERARY TO EXPLORE LAGUNA DE SALINAS
PICK-UP & DROP-OFF FOR GROUP SEREVICE (Minimum 3P): For all customers has booked this trip for $59 USD each need to be ready in our office at 8AM to begin the service joing more participants in our transport - This service is available every Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays only - The trip ends around 4PM in our office or somewhere in downtown according group conveniences - Last minute reservation will be accept only if we have free seats.
DEPART FOR PRIVATE SERVICE: This service includes pick-up at 8AM from hotel, from airport or bus station of Arequipa - The drop-off will be in our office or downtown hotels around 4PM (no airport or bus station) - This service can be done every day but for last minute reservation will be organized only if we have available tour guide and car.
For both services the route of the trip will be same - After pick-up to everyone we drive to get out of the city taking the way to the sudburbios of Arequipa, passing new towns as known as "Invasiones" (Shanty towns), just getting out of Arequipa will be great views of conical shape of volcan Misti facing the city - Following a nice asphalt road till the valley of Chiguata, we do the first stops to inform you of ancient terraces located on south bottom of the volcano, nice spots with spectacular views of Misti and Pichu Pichu - The next stop will the little plaza of Chiguata town (2950M) and visit the catholic church and from here we take the dirt and bumpy road passing more terracing on the left side of the road, and seeing people dedicated to agriculture activities over 3000 meters on the sea level and from here begin to ascend on the abandoned road to Puno - Drive on zigzag road facing the south face of Volcan Misti and passing between Qeñuales forest trees, those kinds of tree grow on the skirts of snow-covered one belonging to the Picchu Picchu (5460M). Sights the geological fault of Misti volcano and of Picchu Picchu snow-peak - All way up offer spectacular view of Andean panorama making very interesting this journey for travelers looking to get the best pictures of volcanic landscape and small towns dedicated to work the pre-Inca terraces located at the both sides of Chiguata River.
Around 10:30AM you will enjoy the first view of Salinas Salt Lake, located in the south of National Reserve of Aguada Blanca and Salinas, this lake is in the mid-way between volcan Misti, volcan Ubinas and the snow-covered of Pichu Pichu.
1H30M of time for nice hike around the lagoon, sighting variety of animal life, specially Andean and migratory birds (Ducks - Condors - Eagles - Flamingos - Hummingbirds - etc), Llamas, Alpacas, Vicuñas, Foxes, savage Rabbits and others - During dry season (June to Dec.) the trip includes a nice walking from one to other side of the lagoon to get amazing pictures and luckily you will enjoy how the local people collect the salt as known as borato.
Around midday OPTIONAL visit a place named Logen, this is located on the east side of the lagoon and there exist a little water volcano (4480M) and natural hot spring (30°C) but till 2020 the services are very basic, no baths or hot showers - In case customers like to enjoy the hot spring we advise to bring swimsuits, sandals and towel.
In any case we stop next of the lagoon to enjoy picnic with amazing views and friendly Llamas and Alpacas.
Around 2PM time to start our return to Arequipa taking the same route - From El Simbral will be OPTIONAL 1hr of downhill hike to valley of Chiguata following ancient paths viewing more agriculture terraces.
Finally transfer to Arequipa and ends of the trip at our office of customer hotel around 4PM or 5PM.
FLAMINGOS SEASON IN SALINAS SALT LAKE
The best time to watch the Flamencos at this lake is from January to June. The rest of the year this lagoon is completely dry covered with Borato until next raining season.
La Laguna de Salinas is considered by bird watching lover as a good place to see Andean water birds as Jamesi Flamingos, Andean Flamingos and Chilean Flamingos.
PRIVATE CAR TRANSFER FROM AREQUIPA TO LAGUNA SALINAS AND PUNO
For travelers wishing to travel from Arequipa Puno we recommend to book a private shuttle through the Laguna de Salinas and other amazing places as Sillustani archaeological site - For more information of complete tour itinerary, stops and what to see CLICK HERE...
