Laguna de Salinas and Colca Canyon Tour 2 Days/1 Night

This tour is the ideal option for tourists who wants to visit the Laguna de Salinas and the Colca Canyon. Along this excursion we will watch diffent kind of birds:

Flamingos:

phoenicopteras chilensis (chilean flamingo)

phoenicoparras andinus (large andean parihuana)

phoenicoparrus jamesi (andean girl - parihuana)

Day 1: Laguna de Salinas - Patahuasi - Colca Valley

Pick up from the hotel in Arequipa at 6AM and departure to Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve.

We will leave the city and will take the road to Chiguata, where we will watch pre Inca terraces which are still worke. Then We'll continue the trip into the National Reserve where we will watch the queñuales forest and the best views from  the Misti volcano. Afterwards we will arrive to Salinas where we will ahev an impressive view of the 3 volcanoes: Misti, Pichu Pichu and Ubinas.

We will visit both sides of the Laguna de Salinas and hike in the salt flat, the sensation of peace and tranquility is incomparable. It is possible to take photos with the water mirrors and take photos with the effect produced by the salt. (according to season and weather conditions).

In addition to the scenery, in Salinas we will have the opportunity to observe Andean rabbits, Andean deer, birds and south American camels such as vicuña , llama and alpaca also borate extraction and artisanal production of salt is appreciated.

It is common to see flamingos in the Laguna de Salinas, since thousands of them migrate between January and March. In Salinas is possible to see three different species of flamingos:

phoenicopteras chilensis (chilean flamingo)

phoenicoparras andinus (large andean parihuana)

phoenicoparrus jamesi (andean girl - parihuana)

After visiting Laguna de Salinas we will surround the Misti volcano, along the way to the Colca Canyon we will find some other local birds like guallatas, (Andean goose), crested ducks (lophonetta specularioides), yanavico (plegadis ridgway), giant coot – ajoya (Fulica gigantea), andean gull - kiulla (larus serranus).

 We will pass through the Andean mountains.

Arrive to Patahuasi, where we will have lunch, then we will continue to Chivay town. Arrive and drop off to the hotel.In the afternoon, we will do a short hike to the Uyo Uyo pre inca ruins. This is an easy hike and takes around 3 hours, afterwards we will visit the hot springs for relaxing.

Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Colca Valley – Cruz del Condor – Chivay - Arequipa

At 6:00 am, after breakfast  we will leave to Cruz del Condor viewpoint where we can watch the condors flight and the Colca Canyon. Along the way we will stop in the natural viewpoints of Antahuilque and Wayrapunko for watching the andean terraces, and the Choquetico hangover tombs.

Then we can do a short hike from the Mirador de la Cruz del Cura to the Cruz del Condor viewpoint.

Return to Chivay stopping in route at Maca town. Arrive to Chivay for having lunch and departure to Arequipa. Along the way we will stop in: Patapampa viewpoint, from where we can watch the volcanoes: Ampato, Sabancaya (active volcano), Hualca Hualca and Mismi.

Arrive to Arequipa at 5PM and drop off to the hotel.

Prices:

3 Persons: $225 per person

4 Persons: $205 per person

• Private Transportation

• Privatel English speaking guide

• 1 Night in Chivay at La Casa de Anita hotel
• Entrance fee to the Laguna de Salinas National Reserve

• Entrance fee to the Colca Canyon

• Meals: 1 breakfast and 1 lunch

• Drinks
• Dinner (first day) and lunch (second day)
• Entrance to the hot springs