Tour + Hike to the Sillar Route and Culebrillas in Arequipa

Arequipa’s famous white stone is not just a building material. It is the reason the city has its pale colonial center, and this tour takes you to the quarries where that stone is still cut by hand. You’ll see Añashuayco’s huge ignimbrite walls, then walk into the narrow Culebrillas canyon to find ancient petroglyphs.

I like the mix of working craft and old archaeology. I also like the price: $14 covers transport and a professional guide, making this one of the cheaper ways to get beyond central Arequipa. The main caution is the limited time. You spend only about 20 minutes walking in Culebrillas, and one verified complaint raises concern about unsuitable music played during the ride.

Key points at a glance

• Watch ashlar being made: Añashuayco remains an active quarry, where stonemasons cut the white volcanic stone used throughout Arequipa.
• See a giant stone carving: The quarry includes a large carving of the Church of the Company of Jesus.
• Walk into Culebrillas canyon: The short route follows a water-cut gorge with walls reaching 15 to 20 meters.
• Look for Wari petroglyphs: Ancient rock markings appear at the end of the walk.
• Keep the cost low: The tour costs $14 per person, with a separate entrance fee of 10 soles.
• Choose your language and time: English and Spanish guides are available, with morning and 2:00 pm departures.

Why Arequipa’s white stone matters

The word sillar refers to the pale volcanic stone used in much of Arequipa’s historic architecture. The city’s light-colored churches and mansions owe much of their appearance to this material, which comes from volcanic deposits in the surrounding area.

This tour gives you a useful connection between the city center and the source of that stone. Instead of only admiring white walls in Arequipa, you see the cliffs left behind when workers cut blocks from the volcanic rock.

That connection is the real reason to book. The tour is not simply a countryside drive with a few photo stops. It explains how a local material became part of Arequipa’s identity and how the work continues today.

The ride from central Arequipa

The meeting point is the main office at C. Álvarez Thomas 115, near the center. Your name will be checked against the list before the group receives instructions and boards the tourist transport.

The first drive takes about 50 minutes. Depending on the season and the day’s route, the first brief stop may be a viewpoint over the volcanoes and the Chilina Valley, or another traditional viewpoint with volcano views.

This stop helps you get your bearings. The tour is not only about quarries, and the views give you a quick sense of how Arequipa sits among volcanic peaks and broad highland terrain. The stop is short, so keep your camera ready and do not expect a long walk.

The published timing can look slightly confusing because the main description places a viewpoint early in the journey, while the detailed stop list places Mirador de los Volcanes later. Treat the viewpoint order as flexible. Seasonal conditions may change the sequence.

Añashuayco Quarry and the work behind the stone

After roughly 45 to 50 minutes on the road, you reach Añashuayco Quarry. This is the strongest part of the experience for anyone curious about traditional work.

The quarry is still operating. Stonemasons begin early, cutting and shaping blocks of ignimbrite, the volcanic rock commonly used for ashlar. The walls around the quarry are the result of this extraction, forming tall cliffs and a broad canyon-like setting.

Your guide explains how ashlar is produced and how people have used it over time. That practical explanation matters. You see the marks of extraction in the cliffs, then learn how those large deposits become smaller building blocks.

A visit to one of the stonemasons is included. The worker can describe the daily job and let you try cutting one of the stone blocks yourself. This is a small hands-on moment, but it changes the visit from a simple photo stop into a clearer lesson in the labor involved.

Do not expect a polished workshop or a long craft class. The quarry is an active work site, and the demonstration is part of a short tour. Still, if you enjoy seeing how local materials are shaped, this is likely to be the most memorable stop.

The carved Church of the Company of Jesus

Añashuayco also contains a large stone carving of the Church of the Company of Jesus. Local stonemasons created this mega carving as a display of their skill and as a link to Arequipa’s best-known architecture.

It gives you a useful preview of what ashlar can become. At the quarry, you are looking at raw cliff faces and rough blocks. In the carving, you see the same pale material turned into arches, details, and a recognizable church façade.

Take time to compare the carving with the real Church of the Company of Jesus in Arequipa’s historic center if you visit both. The quarry stop explains the material; the city center shows its finished use.

The quarry can be dusty and exposed. Wear shoes suitable for uneven ground and clothes you do not mind getting a little dirty. The supplied information does not specify safety equipment, so follow the guide’s instructions around the working areas and keep clear of active cutting.

Culebrillas canyon and its short walk

From Añashuayco, the vehicle ride to Quebrada de Culebrillas takes about 30 minutes. Here the pace changes from industrial quarry work to a short walk through a narrow natural passage.

The hike lasts about 20 minutes. Water shaped the canyon, leaving walls that reach roughly 15 to 20 meters high. As you walk farther inside, the walls become taller, giving the route a more enclosed feel.

This is not a demanding full-day hike. It is a compact walk that adds texture to the tour, but you should not book it expecting hours on the trail. The value comes from the contrast: the first canyon was changed by stone extraction, while Culebrillas was formed by water.

At the end of the walk, you can see petroglyphs attributed to the Wari culture, dating back more than a thousand years. Their presence adds an archaeological layer to the outing, although the supplied details do not specify the exact number, size, or condition of the markings.

Take care not to touch or climb near the petroglyphs. The tour is designed for viewing, photography, and a short guided explanation, not for close handling of the rock.

Apachetas and a final pause

Before leaving Culebrillas, the tour includes a look at apachetas. These are small stone formations made by placing stones one on top of another.

They are described here as a gesture of gratitude toward nature and as a symbol of good luck. For many people, the appeal is less about a long explanation and more about the quiet, symbolic feel of the place.

The apachetas also give you a final detail to look for after the quarry and petroglyphs. They are easy to miss if you rush back to the van, so pay attention during the guide’s explanation.

Volcano views and the return to Arequipa

The tour’s viewpoint stop offers views of the volcanoes and, depending on the location used that day, the Chilina Valley or surrounding terraces. The itinerary lists Mirador de los Volcanes as a 20-minute stop, with time for photographs and a guided explanation.

The stop may appear at a different point from the order described in the main schedule. This is not a major problem, but it means you should think of the outing as a flexible half-day route rather than a minute-by-minute program.

The return journey begins around 12:30 pm for the morning departure, with arrival near central Arequipa at about 1:30 pm. The listed finish point is on Av. La Marina, near the main square. An afternoon departure is also offered at 2:00 pm.

The afternoon option can suit you if you want a slower morning in Arequipa. The supplied details do not give a separate afternoon arrival time, so allow roughly four hours for the same route.

What the $14 price includes

At $14 per person, this is a strong value if you want transport to the quarries without arranging a private taxi or a separate guide. The fee includes tourist transport and a professional guide in English or Spanish.

The entrance fee is not included and costs 10 soles. That is an important extra to budget for, even though it remains modest.

The value is best for people who want several different sights in one compact outing:

• A working ashlar quarry
• A large stone church carving
• A guided canyon walk
• Wari petroglyphs
• Apachetas
• Volcano and valley views

You are not paying for a long hike, a meal, or a full-day cultural program. The tour works because it packs several short experiences into four hours. If you prefer slow photography, extended walking, or long conversations with craftspeople, the schedule may feel rushed.

Transport, timing, and practical comfort

The tour uses tourist transport, with several van rides between stops. The drives are a meaningful part of the schedule: about 50 minutes from the meeting point, 30 minutes from Añashuayco to Culebrillas, and additional driving back toward Arequipa.

That makes the trip easy for you physically, but it also means the total time on foot is limited. The main walk is only about 20 minutes, and the other stops are brief visits and photo breaks.

Bring water, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. The available information does not provide a packing list, but the quarry and canyon are outdoor sites, and the tour includes uneven ground and exposure.

One verified booking reported offensive and sexually explicit local music playing during the drive, with families present. That is a fair concern, especially if you are traveling with children or prefer a quiet ride. The information does not say this happens on every departure, and it does not identify a specific driver or guide, but I would ask at the meeting point what music is planned and request it be changed if needed.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would choose this tour if you have a morning or afternoon free in Arequipa and want to understand more about the city’s white architecture. It suits you especially well if you like working sites, short walks, local craft, and simple archaeology.

Families may appreciate the short duration and the chance to try cutting stone, though parents should consider the reported music issue and supervise children around the active quarry.

It also works for budget-conscious visitors. For $14 plus 10 soles, you get transport, guiding, and several stops that would be awkward to combine independently in a short morning.

You may want another option if your main goal is a serious hike. Culebrillas is a brief canyon walk, not a demanding trek. You may also prefer a private tour if you want more control over the pace, music, and time spent with the stonemasons.

Should you book the Sillar Route and Culebrillas tour?

Book it if you want an inexpensive, efficient introduction to the stone behind Arequipa’s colonial center. The active Añashuayco Quarry, hands-on stone cutting, carved church, Wari petroglyphs, and volcano views give the four hours a good range.

Go in with realistic expectations. Much of the outing takes place in the van, the canyon walk is short, the order of stops may change, and the extra 10 soles entrance fee is separate. If those limits suit you, this is a practical way to see the Sillar Route without spending much.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

The tour lasts about four hours. The morning departure is scheduled to return to central Arequipa around 1:30 pm.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is the main office at C. Álvarez Thomas 115 in Arequipa. The listed coordinates are -16.4003911, -71.53703469999999.

What languages are available?

The live guide is available in English or Spanish.

Is the entrance fee included?

No. Entrance tickets cost 10 soles and are paid separately.

How long is the Culebrillas walk?

The walk inside Quebrada de Culebrillas takes approximately 20 minutes. The canyon walls reach about 15 to 20 meters high.

Is there an afternoon departure?

Yes. A 2:00 pm departure is available in addition to the morning shift.