Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve
2025 Guide

🧭 Introduction to the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve (RNSAB)

The Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve (RNSAB) is a protected area in Peru located between the regions of Arequipa and Moquegua. Created in 1979, it covers 366,936 hectares and lies at an altitude between 3,500 and 6,075 meters. This exceptional territory offers spectacular Andean landscapes, mixing volcanoes, lagoons, wetlands, and desert expanses.

The reserve is world-renowned for its unique biodiversity, with emblematic species such as the vicuña, the Andean flamingo, and the condor. It also serves as an essential water reservoir for the cities of Arequipa and Moquegua.

📜 History and importance of the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve

The RNSAB was created to:

• Protect vicuñas, which were threatened by intensive poaching.
• Conserve wetland ecosystems (bofedales), which play a key role in water regulation.
• Preserve the volcanic landscapes typical of the region, especially around Misti and Chachani.

Today, the reserve is a model of participatory conservation, involving local communities in the management of natural resources.

The reserve offers an extraordinary variety of landscapes and species. Here are the main attractions not to be missed during your visit.

🐾 Iconic fauna of the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve

• Mammals: the vicuña (emblem of the reserve) can be seen in large herds, especially in the Pampa Cañahuas. Also found are llamas, alpacas, Andean foxes, viscachas, and occasionally pumas.
• Birds: three species of Andean flamingos (Chilean flamingo, Andean flamingo, James's flamingo), the Andean condor, the puna ibis, the Andean duck, and many shorebirds.
• Reptiles and amphibians: a few species adapted to extreme high-altitude conditions.

🌿 Typical flora of the Salinas y Aguada Blanca reserve

The vegetation, although sparse, is adapted to aridity and cold:

• Queñua (Polylepis): endemic tree of the high Andes, forming sparse woodlands.
• Tolares: hardy shrubs, used as fuel by local populations.
• Ichu (Stipa ichu): dominant grass on the high plateaus.

🏔️ Landscapes and must-see sites of the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve

• Laguna Salinas: salt lake where hundreds of flamingos gather – an unforgettable sight.
• Misti and Chachani volcanoes: their perfect cones dominate the landscape and are visible from many points in the reserve.
• Pampa Cañahuas: prime area for observing vicuñas in the wild.
• Aguada Blanca: wetland (bofedal) that attracts a wide variety of birds.

The reserve is easily accessible from Arequipa. Here are all the options to organize your visit.

📍 Access to the Salinas y Aguada Blanca reserve from Arequipa

• Distance: about 50 km, or 1h30 by road.
• Route: take the Pan-American highway towards Puno/Cusco, then follow signs to Chivay. The reserve is crossed before reaching the Colca Canyon.
• Public transport: minibuses (colectivos) leave Arequipa for Chivay and stop on request in the reserve (ask to get off at Pampa Cañahuas).
• Organized tours: many agencies in Arequipa offer day trips including the reserve, often combined with the Colca Canyon.

🧳 Practical tips for visiting the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve

The high altitude and harsh climate require good preparation:

• Acclimatization: spend at least two days in Arequipa (2,335 m) before going up to the reserve. Altitude sickness (soroche) can occur above 3,500 m.
• Climate: very cold in the morning and evening (temperatures can drop below freezing), strong sunshine during the day. Dress in layers.
• Best time: from May to November (dry season), with clear skies and better visibility. Avoid the rainy season (December to March).
• Gear: warm clothing, high-factor sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, binoculars, camera, water, and snacks. There are almost no services inside the reserve.
• Visiting hours: come early in the morning (6 a.m. to 9 a.m.) to maximize wildlife sightings, especially vicuñas and flamingos.

Two options are available depending on your itinerary: single entry for the reserve, or the Colca Tourist Ticket (more advantageous if you continue to the canyon).

🎟️ Option 1: Reserve-only entry

• Foreigners: 40 soles.
• Peruvians: 20 soles.
• Foreigners (7-21 years): 20 soles.

Includes: access to the entire reserve, as well as the Lojen hot springs and mini-volcano (5 soles extra if desired).

🎫 Option 2: Colca Tourist Ticket (including the reserve)

This ticket grants access to the reserve, the Colca Canyon, and the Valley of the Volcanoes.

Rates for foreigners (excluding Latin America)

Category	Latin American countries	Other foreigners
Adults	40 soles	70 soles
Children (6-15 years)	20 soles	20 soles

Important conditions

• Foreign children (6-15 years) must present an official ID to prove their age.
• You must show the ticket + passport or ID card at each site entrance.
• Validity: single use per site, starting from the purchase date.

Which sites are included in the Tourist Ticket?

• The Colca Canyon Valley (Caylloma).
• The Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve.
• The Valley of the Volcanoes.

Points of sale

• At the entrances to the sites (note that some ticket booths close early).
• In authorized travel agencies in Arequipa.

💡 Tips for choosing your ticket

• If you are only visiting the reserve, the single entry at 40 soles is sufficient.
• If you plan to visit the Colca Canyon and the reserve, the Tourist Ticket at 70 soles is more economical.
• Since the reserve lies on the road to Chivay, it is very easy to combine both.
• Pay in soles (cash is recommended, as some entry points do not accept cards).

⚠️ Rates are subject to change – check on site or with local authorities before your visit.

The Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve is a hidden gem of southern Peru, yet an essential stop for any nature and open space lover. Between its flamingo-filled lagoons, herds of wild vicuñas, and majestic volcanoes, it offers a concentrated experience of the purest Andean landscapes.

• Exceptional biodiversity: easy wildlife viewing of emblematic high Andean species.
• Grandiose landscapes: a lunar setting dominated by volcanoes.
• Proximity to Arequipa: a day trip easily achievable.

Not to be missed if you are visiting southern Peru! For photographers, sunrise over Laguna Salinas is a magical moment, when the first rays tint the water and flamingos pink.