8 Hiking Tours in Arequipa to Build a Day Around

1.Sillar Route Trek

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 461 reviews · 4 hours · from $12Our pick

Spend four hours outside Arequipa visiting the working Añashuayco Quarry, its large stone carvings, Culebrillas Canyon, ancient Wari petroglyphs, and a volcano viewpoint. English and Spanish guides lead the tour, with guides such as Jose, Mike, Roni, and Alexandra noted for clear explanations. Bring soles, sunscreen, insect repellent, and sturdy shoes.

“The tour lasted exactly 4 hours. I met at the meeting spot at 9 am and was back in Yanahuara at 1 pm. The bus was comfortable but not air conditioned. We were about 25 people in our group. The driver Jose Jose was good. He talked about the sillar, origin of the volcanoes names, ariquepeña food, why people stack 3 rocks, etc. He spoke mostly in Spanish, but could speak English if asked. There was plenty of time to take photos. I recommend this tour. Note: bring insect repellent and sunscreen”

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2.4 hours Tour: Route of Sillar with Trek in Culebrillas

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 69 reviews · 4h 30m · from $11Best value

Spend about four and a half hours visiting Arequipa’s working sillar quarries, a carved Church of the Company of Jesus, and Culebrillas canyon. You’ll walk about 20 minutes to Wari petroglyphs, see volcanoes and the Chilina Valley, and travel with an English or Spanish-speaking guide. The tour runs in morning and afternoon shifts.

“Véhicule neuf. La visite a eu lieu seulement en espagnol car le guide anglais était malade. On nous a toutefois offert de reporter, mais nous avions autre chose. Le tour a commencé 30 minutes plus tard et nous n’avons pas eu assez de temps pour apprécier totalement.”

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3.Trekking, Waterfalls and Thermal Baths

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 47 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $62

Start in Arequipa at 8:00 am for a four-hour trek through Capua Canyon, walking through puddles and streams to Capua Waterfall. Afterward, soak in volcanic hot springs, then visit Yura Viejo and its church. Groups are limited to eight, with hotel pickup, snacks, and water included. Guide Pablo may lead the walk.

“We really enjoyed this hike and our guide, Pablo, was wonderful and very helpful. We were the only ones on the trail which made this feel like we were being shown and unknown locals-only type trail. We walked in our hiking shoes through the river which was unique and pretty fun (be sure to pack some sandals for after!). Pablo did the hike in Tivas/Chacos with a strap, so you've got some options when it comes to footwear. Also, be such to bring sunscreen and bug spray! The waterfall was beautiful and so was the canyon overall. Pablo was really helpful in took lots of photos of us throughout the…”

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4.4-hour excursion: Sillar Route with Hiking in Culebrillas

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 21 reviews · 4 hours · from $20

Spend about four hours outside Arequipa visiting the working Añashuayco quarries, a giant ashlar carving, Culebrillas Canyon, Wari petroglyphs, apachetas, and volcano viewpoints. A live guide leads the tour in English or Spanish. The walk lasts about 20 minutes, so expect a cultural outing with light hiking rather than a strenuous trek.

“This was a good tour the only thing was our guide seemed very nervous and her accent was really heavy so most the time on the microphone we could not hear her or understand”

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5.Trek to the Route of the Sillar and Culebrillas in Arequipa

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 9 reviews · 4h 30m · from $13

Travel from central Arequipa to the Sillar Route, stopping at the Volcanoes and Chilina Valley viewpoint, Añashuayco Quarry, and Culebrillas Canyon. You’ll see ashlar stone cutting, a large carved church facade, and walk inside a narrow canyon. English and Spanish guiding, transport, and flexible booking are included.

“Interessante e affascinante Unica nota negativa che causa traffico abbiamo impiegato molto tempo per arrivare alla cava”

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6.4-hour excursion: Ruta del Sillar with Hiking in Culebrillas

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 6 reviews · 4h 30m · from $18

This 270-minute Xplora America tour takes you from Arequipa to the Añashuayco quarries and Culebrillas Canyon. You’ll see volcanic sillar being cut, a huge church carving, Wari petroglyphs, apachetas, and views toward the volcanoes and Chilina Valley. Spanish and English are offered, but confirm your guide’s language before departure.

“Gids spraak nauwelijks Engels ook nadat we in een andere groep werden geplaatst. Eerste deel was zeer matig. Leukste deel was de korte wandeling door een kloof. Zou het niet aanraden”

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7.Sillar Route and Hike in Culebrillas

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · 4 hours · from $12

From Arequipa, visit the Añashuayco sillar quarry, learn how the white volcanic stone shaped the city, then walk 20 minutes through Culebrillas Canyon to see petroglyphs. Hotel pickup, transport, and a Spanish or English guide are included. Guides Alexandra and Toni have received especially warm praise, though group size should be confirmed.

“Este tour es un tourist trap. No solo es malisimo, sino que ademas llevabamos 22 personas cuando la camioneta decía que el aforo era de 19. La guía fue parada todo el tiempo, con una riesgo enorme para su seguridad y para la nuestra. Busquen algun otro tour en la hermosa Arequipa!”

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8.Tour + Hike to the Sillar Route and Culebrillas in Arequipa

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 5 reviews · 4 hours · from $14

You’ll visit the working Añashuayco Quarry, see a stone-carved Church of the Company of Jesus, try cutting ashlar, then walk through Culebrillas canyon to old Wari petroglyphs. A professional guide leads in English or Spanish. The four-hour trip costs $14, plus 10 soles in entrance fees.

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