Trekking, Waterfalls and Thermal Baths

Capua Canyon is the star here: you walk through puddles and streams, sometimes right in the water, to reach the base of a waterfall. It is a more active outing than a standard Arequipa sightseeing trip, with four hours on foot and a small-group limit of eight people.

I like the mix of outdoor time and local life. You get the canyon and waterfall, a soak in volcanic hot springs, then an hour in Yura Viejo to see its church and daily economy. The included fruit, cookies, cereal bar, and water are useful touches, too.

The main catch is simple: the trek can be wet and tiring, and the thermal pool entrance fee is extra. Bring sturdy footwear, a change of shoes or sandals, sunscreen, bug spray, and cash for the 5 to 10 soles bath fee.

Key points at a glance

• Capua Canyon means wet-foot hiking: Expect puddles, streams, and a walk to the waterfall base rather than a short roadside viewpoint.
• Capua Waterfall is reached on foot: The four-hour trek makes this best for people comfortable with an active outing.
• Hot springs follow the hike: You get about 40 minutes at Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre, with admission paid separately.
• Pablo may guide the walk: The guide has been praised for helping with the route and taking photos along the way.
• Yura Viejo adds local context: The visit includes the town church, culture, economy, and nearby attractions.
• Small groups improve the day: A maximum of eight people keeps the outing more personal and manageable.

Why Capua Canyon is the real reason to go

Many Arequipa excursions focus on famous sights and broad views. This one takes you into Capua Canyon, where the route itself is the attraction. You are not simply driven to a waterfall, taking a quick photo, and moving on. You walk through the canyon, crossing puddles and streams as you make your way to the base of Capua Waterfall.

That detail matters. The walk feels physical and involved because the water is part of the route. Your shoes may get wet, and the footing may require care. The supplied information does not give a difficulty rating, so I would not treat this as a casual stroll. Four hours of trekking is a meaningful part of an eight-and-a-half-hour day.

The reward is the waterfall and the canyon around it. You get time to appreciate the setting rather than only seeing it from a distance. If you enjoy smaller-scale outdoor outings and prefer a route with some character, this is more appealing than a standard sightseeing loop.

The trek also has an off-the-beaten-path feel without requiring a long, complicated expedition. The group size is capped at eight, and that is a real advantage on a wet trail. A small group gives the guide more room to help you with crossings, adjust the pace, and stop for photographs.

What the four-hour waterfall walk is like

The day starts at 8:00 am from C. Zela 301 in Arequipa, with hotel pickup included. The exact transport arrangement should be clear when you book, since the meeting point and hotel pickup are both listed. The activity returns to the meeting point at the end.

At Capua Canyon, expect a route involving puddles and streams. One useful footwear lesson comes from the walk itself: a participant used hiking shoes through the river, while guide Pablo reportedly handled the route in strapped sandals. That does not mean any sandal will do. A secure sandal or sturdy water-friendly shoe is more sensible than loose flip-flops.

I would wear footwear with a good grip and bring a dry backup pair for afterward. A small plastic bag for wet shoes or socks is also practical, though it is not supplied as part of the tour. Sunscreen and bug spray belong in your day bag. The route is outdoors, and those two items can make a bigger difference than an extra souvenir photo.

Pablo has been specifically praised for being helpful and for taking plenty of photos. That is useful on a walk where you may not want to keep stopping to manage your phone near water. Still, photo help should be seen as a pleasant extra, not a guaranteed service if the guide on your date is someone else.

The included snacks arrive at a sensible point in the day. Fruit, cookies, a cereal bar, and bottled water are provided, and the food is especially handy after a long walk. You will not need to plan a full picnic, but the supplied snacks are not a replacement for breakfast. Eat before leaving and carry anything else you know you need.

Capua Waterfall rewards the effort

The waterfall is reached after the canyon walk, at its base rather than from a distant overlook. That gives the stop a stronger sense of arrival. You have worked through the stream crossings, then reach the water as the main payoff.

The canyon is also part of the reward. The route includes more than a single scenic point, so you get changing views as you move through it. The supplied details do not state the waterfall height, flow level, or swimming conditions, so do not book this expecting a particular scale or a chance to swim under the falls.

This stop will suit you if you like active sightseeing, natural places, and a little mess under your boots. It may be less suitable if you need a dry, smooth path or prefer an outing built around short walks. The tour description says most people can participate, but the four-hour trek remains the key physical consideration.

The best approach is to think of the waterfall as the goal of a canyon hike, not as a quick attraction with a short approach. That mindset will help you judge the day honestly.

A well-timed soak at El Tigre

After the trek, the tour continues to Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre. These are volcanic hot springs, and the scheduled stop lasts about 40 minutes. The timing makes practical sense: you have a chance to warm up and relax after the wet walk.

The pools are described as having healing qualities for bones and skin. I would treat that as the character of the hot springs rather than a medical promise. The value here is the chance to rest in warm water after an active morning.

Admission is not included. The fee is reported as about 5 to 10 soles, depending on the day, so bring cash. This is a small extra cost compared with the $62 tour price, but it is exactly the kind of detail that can cause trouble if you arrive without local currency.

Forty minutes is enough for a pleasant soak, but it is not a long spa session. You should also remember that you are still on a group schedule. If soaking is the main reason you want to book, this tour may feel too brief. If you see it as a recovery stop added to a waterfall hike, the timing is more satisfying.

The order of the stops is another strength. A hot spring before a four-hour trek would make less sense. Here, the bath comes after the active section, when your legs and feet may welcome it.

Yura Viejo gives the day a local finish

The final main stop is Yura Viejo, a traditional town visited for about an hour. The focus is its church, culture, economy, and local attractions. This part keeps the day from becoming only a nature outing.

A short visit cannot provide a full study of the town, but it can give you a look at a place that many Arequipa visitors might otherwise pass by. The church is the clearest named point of interest, while the broader discussion of culture and economy gives the stop more purpose than a quick photo break.

I like this pairing because it links the natural setting with everyday life. You spend the morning walking through a canyon, then see how a traditional town fits into the wider area. The contrast helps you understand that Yura is not just a backdrop for hot springs.

The one-hour limit also sets a boundary. You should expect an introduction, not an exhaustive cultural tour. If you want a long, detailed architectural visit or plenty of independent time, this stop may feel short. If you appreciate a compact local look after the hike, it works well.

What $62 includes, and what it does not

At $62 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day around Arequipa. Its value depends on how you price the combination: transport and hotel pickup, a four-hour guided trek, snacks, bottled water, a hot spring stop, and a visit to Yura Viejo.

The group limit matters here. With no more than eight people, you are paying for a more personal format rather than a large coach excursion. That can be worth it if you want help on the route and less waiting around for a crowd.

The included food is modest but useful. Cookies, a cereal bar, fruit, and water cover basic trail needs, and they save you from carrying a full supply. Entrance to the thermal pools is the only listed exclusion, but you should still budget for that 5 to 10 soles fee.

There is no separate entrance charge for Capua Waterfall listed, and the Yura Viejo church visit includes admission. The important cost distinction is that the waterfall walk itself is included, while the hot spring entrance is not.

For me, the price makes the most sense for someone who values variety and a small group. You get nature, bathing, and a town visit in one day. It makes less sense if you only want a waterfall photo or only want a long thermal bath session.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour to you if you:

• Like active day trips with a real walking section.
• Are comfortable getting your shoes wet.
• Want a smaller group, with a maximum of eight people.
• Prefer a less conventional outing outside the main Arequipa circuit.
• Enjoy combining scenery with a brief look at local life.
• Like having a warm-water stop after a hike.

You should think twice if you dislike uneven or wet routes, need a dry change of clothes at every stage, or want a relaxed day with little physical effort. The description says most people can participate, but that does not remove the need for reasonable walking fitness.

Families and mixed groups may find the small size useful, though each person should judge the four-hour trek for themselves. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Those facts help with access, but they do not tell you how a particular animal will manage streams and wet footing, so that remains a personal decision.

Practical packing advice for Capua

Keep your day bag simple and useful. I would bring:

• Sturdy hiking shoes or secure strapped sandals
• Dry footwear for after the stream crossings
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Cash for the thermal pool entrance
• A small bag for wet footwear or clothing
• Any extra snacks you prefer

The tour provides bottled water and snacks, so you do not need to pack the whole kitchen. Still, breakfast before the 8:00 am start is sensible because the first major section is the longest one.

Wear clothing that can handle spray, splashes, and a little dirt. The route description specifically mentions jumping puddles and crossing streams, so pristine city clothes are a poor match. A towel is not listed as included, and the safest habit is to bring one if you have room.

Check the weather before you go. This activity requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to cancellation, with a different date or a full refund offered. The cancellation policy is otherwise strict: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, so do not reserve casually if your plans are uncertain.

The small-group format and guide support

The eight-person maximum is one of the tour’s best practical features. A canyon walk is easier to manage when the group is compact, especially around streams and puddles. You are less likely to feel like one person in a moving crowd.

Guide Pablo has received particular praise for being helpful, taking photos, and carrying snacks to the waterfall stop. Those details suggest the guide role is hands-on, not limited to pointing out a meeting time. However, Pablo’s presence should not be assumed for every departure unless confirmed when booking.

A good guide matters here because the experience is about the route, not only the destination. On a simple road trip, a guide can be background support. On a water-crossing trek, guidance and pacing are more useful.

The tour has a rating of 4.7 from 47 reviews, and 94 percent of customers recommend it. Those numbers support the idea that the overall format works well, but they should not replace your own judgment about the trek. The central question is still simple: are you happy to spend four hours on an active, potentially wet walk?

Should you book Trekking, Waterfalls and Thermal Baths?

Book it if you want an active Arequipa day with three different textures: a stream-filled canyon, a volcanic hot spring, and a traditional town. The $62 price is reasonable when you value hotel pickup, snacks, water, a small group, and a guided four-hour route.

Do not book it if your priority is a short walk, a guaranteed dry trail, or a long spa visit. Bring the right shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, and cash for the thermal pools, and you will be prepared for the parts that require the most thought.

For the best match, choose this outing because of Capua Canyon. The waterfall is the payoff, the bath is the recovery, and Yura Viejo gives the day some local depth.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is C. Zela 301, Arequipa 04001, Peru. Hotel pickup is included.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes.

How long is the Capua Canyon trek?

The Capua Waterfall section lasts about four hours.

Will the trek involve water?

Yes. The route includes puddles and streams, and you may walk through the river to reach Capua Waterfall.

Is admission to the thermal pools included?

No. Entrance to Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre is not included.

How much should I bring for the thermal pool entrance?

The fee is about 5 to 10 soles, depending on the day. Bring cash.

How long is the thermal bath stop?

The planned visit to the hot springs lasts about 40 minutes.

Is food provided?

Yes. The tour includes cookies, a cereal bar, fruit, and bottled water.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of eight travelers.

Does the tour return to Arequipa?

Yes. The activity ends back at the listed meeting point.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.