Can you experience visiting a salt flat without going to Bolivia? While the Uyuni Salt Flat is in Bolivia, you can have an equally magical experience at the Arequipa salt flat, in southern Peru. Although it isn't as large as its Bolivian counterpart, it will also let you get those unique photos you dream of.
The advantage of the Arequipa salt flat is that it's close to the city, so you can enjoy its charm in a single day and have more time left to explore other attractions in the city and its surroundings.
| Schedule | pickup 06:00 – 06:30 a.m. / arrival in Arequipa 01:00 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Highest point mentioned | Alto Simbral, 4200 m a.s.l. |
| Seasons | water mirrors from January to March (rainy season); salt extraction sites from April to December (dry season). |
| Meeting point | if you're not staying at a hotel in the historic center, you'll need to go to the Plaza de Armas to board the transport. Passengers at the Plaza de Armas are picked up first, and then hotel pickups begin. |
| Suitable for | everyone, including older adults and children, always with appropriate care. |
The tour starts with pickup from your hotel in the city center between 06:00 and 06:30 a.m. We'll begin our journey to Salinas Lake, making several stops along the way.
After 1 hour of travel, our first visit will be the Volcanoes Viewpoint in the district of Chiguata, which we'll reach in an average of 45 minutes; from there, we'll be able to see the most iconic volcanoes and take photos. Then we'll arrive in the town of Chiguata and visit its main square, home to the traditional Espíritu Santo church, before enjoying a traditional local breakfast.
We'll continue on our way and, after a drive of approximately 1 hour, we'll stop at Alto Simbral (4200 m a.s.l.), where we'll see local plants such as queñua, yareta and tola.
At 10:00 a.m., we'll reach Salinas Lake, where we'll spend between 1 hour and 1 hour and 30 minutes, with several stops to see flamingos (parihuanas), the water mirrors (January to March) and vicuñas, llamas and alpacas (all year round). In the dry season (April to December), we'll visit the salt extraction sites, where imagination is essential for taking spectacular photos.
At 11:00 a.m., we'll start the return to Arequipa, and at 01:00 p.m. we'll arrive in the city, where we'll drop you off near the Plaza de Armas.
The water mirrors can be seen between January and March, because it's the rainy season in the region. The rest of the year, from April to December, you visit the salt extraction areas. In both seasons, you can take all the photos your imagination allows.
You'll need to go to the Plaza de Armas to board the transport. Passengers at the Plaza de Armas are picked up first, and then hotel pickups begin.
We'll make several stops to see flamingos (parihuanas), depending on the season, and the main camelids that live in the area, such as vicuñas and alpacas.
Absolutely. This tour is suitable for everyone, older adults and minors alike, always with appropriate care.
Yes, if the Airbnb is in the historic center. The transport usually picks you up one or two blocks from your location, depending on access and with prior coordination.
No. Meals aren't included, and neither is the entrance to Salinas (S/ 8.00 per person).
Meeting point: if you're not staying at a hotel in the historic center, you'll need to go to the Plaza de Armas to board the transport. Passengers at the Plaza de Armas are picked up first, and then hotel pickups begin.
