THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
A full-day excursion from Arequipa into the high Andes, this tour visits the Salinas salt flats, lets you meet local camelids, and finishes with a soak in Lojen Thermal Baths. Expect mirror-like photography, volcanic geology, and high-altitude puna scenery.
A full-day excursion from Arequipa into the high Andes, this tour visits the Salinas salt flats, lets you meet local camelids, and finishes with a soak in Lojen Thermal Baths. Expect mirror-like photography, volcanic geology, and high-altitude puna scenery.
You leave Arequipa before dawn and the road climbs into the high puna, the city shrinking behind you as volcanic silhouettes sharpen on the horizon. By midmorning the salt flats open like a white stage, a shallow sheen catching mountains and sky; llamas and alpacas from the Chilitia community nibble at tufts of grass while Andean flamingos pick at the lagoon's edges.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Cevitur Travel Agency & Tour Operator · Arequipa, Arequipa
You leave Arequipa before dawn and the road climbs into the high puna, the city shrinking behind you as volcanic silhouettes sharpen on the horizon. By midmorning the salt flats open like a white stage, a shallow sheen catching mountains and sky; llamas and alpacas from the Chilitia community nibble at tufts of grass while Andean flamingos pick at the lagoon's edges.
The route threads colonial Chiguata — a compact village of whitewashed churches and stone terraces — into a geological story of fire and evaporation. Salinas formed where ancient lakes drained and salts crystallized in broad, flat basins; nearby Lojen's mineral springs and the mini volcano reveal the region's continuing subterranean energy. Local guides explain traditional salt-harvesting and the role these wetlands in supporting high-altitude wildlife.
Expect several short hikes (hundreds of meters to 1–2 km) over firm salt crust and puna grass, with wide-open exposure and few facilities. The day includes photography stops to exploit mirror effects (best Feb–May), time with camelids in the community, and a restorative soak in Lojen Thermal Baths before lunch in Chiguata and the return drive.
Practical edge: the tour runs 8–9 hours with vehicle pickup in Arequipa, and altitudes reach roughly 3,800–4,200 m — hydrate, move slowly, and layer for sun and wind. Good footwear, sun protection, and extra water make the experience comfortable; keep an eye out for wildlife from the roadside and respect community spaces when visiting Chilitia.
The tour reaches high puna elevations roughly between 3,800 and 4,200 meters above sea level, so expect thinner air and cooler temperatures.
The mirror effect is most pronounced in the wet months—roughly February through May—when shallow water covers parts of the flats.
Basic facilities and a community-run lunch are available in Chiguata; bring snacks for the road as options are limited between stops.
The tour is family-friendly but not recommended for infants on laps to be exposed to altitude stress or for travelers with serious cardiovascular issues; ask the operator about specific mobility accommodations.
Cevitur Travel Agency & Tour Operator operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You leave Arequipa before dawn and the road climbs into the high puna, the city shrinking behind you as volcanic silhouettes sharpen on the horizon. By midmorning the salt flats open like a white stage, a shallow sheen catching mountains and sky; llamas and alpacas from the Chilitia community nibble at tufts of grass while Andean flamingos pick at the lagoon's edges.
You leave Arequipa before dawn and the road climbs into the high puna, the city shrinking behind you as volcanic silhouettes sharpen on the horizon. By midmorning the salt flats open like a white stage, a shallow sheen catching mountains and sky; llamas and alpacas from the Chilitia community nibble at tufts of grass while Andean flamingos pick at the lagoon's edges.
The route threads colonial Chiguata — a compact village of whitewashed churches and stone terraces — into a geological story of fire and evaporation. Salinas formed where ancient lakes drained and salts crystallized in broad, flat basins; nearby Lojen's mineral springs and the mini volcano reveal the region's continuing subterranean energy. Local guides explain traditional salt-harvesting and the role these wetlands in supporting high-altitude wildlife.
Expect several short hikes (hundreds of meters to 1–2 km) over firm salt crust and puna grass, with wide-open exposure and few facilities. The day includes photography stops to exploit mirror effects (best Feb–May), time with camelids in the community, and a restorative soak in Lojen Thermal Baths before lunch in Chiguata and the return drive.
Practical edge: the tour runs 8–9 hours with vehicle pickup in Arequipa, and altitudes reach roughly 3,800–4,200 m — hydrate, move slowly, and layer for sun and wind. Good footwear, sun protection, and extra water make the experience comfortable; keep an eye out for wildlife from the roadside and respect community spaces when visiting Chilitia.