Tour + Hike to the Sillar Route and Culebrillas in Arequipa

Arequipa’s famous white stone is not just pretty building material. It comes from working quarries, where stonemasons still cut the volcanic ashlar by hand. This tour takes you to Añashuayco Quarry and then into the narrow Culebrillas canyon, adding volcano views and old rock art along the way.

I like the mix of living craft and archaeology. You see how the stone is made, then walk to Wari petroglyphs more than 1,000 years old. I also like the low price, which includes transport and a professional guide. The main drawback is that the tour is short and road-heavy, with roughly 50-minute van rides between some points.

Key things to know before you book

• Watch stoneworkers at Añashuayco: The quarry remains active, and you can learn how ashlar blocks are cut and used in Arequipa.
• See a huge church carving: Local stonemasons created a mega carving of the Church of the Company of Jesus in the quarry wall.
• Walk into Culebrillas canyon: The route includes a roughly 20-minute walk between walls that reach 15 to 20 meters high.
• Look for Wari petroglyphs: Ancient rock markings appear near the end of the canyon walk.
• Plan for a quick volcano stop: The Volcanoes and Andenerias viewpoint gives you a short photo break before or during the route, depending on the season.
• Budget for the extra fee: The tour price is $14 per person, but entrance fees of 10 soles are not included.

Why Arequipa’s white stone matters

Arequipa is often called the White City because ashlar gives many of its buildings a pale, clean look. On this outing, you get to see the source rather than only admire finished churches and walls in the historic center.

Ashlar here is volcanic ignimbrite. The quarries expose it in tall, pale walls, and years of extraction have cut broad canyon-like faces into the rock. Your guide explains the stone’s production and its long use in Arequipa. That makes the city’s architecture easier to understand once you return downtown.

The useful part is the connection between place and craft. This is not a stop at a display of old tools. Añashuayco is still operating, and stonemasons work there early in the day. If you take the morning departure, you have a better chance of seeing activity at the quarry, though the exact amount of work visible can depend on the day.

Starting at C. Álvarez Thomas 115

The meeting point is the main office at C. Álvarez Thomas 115, on the same corner. Your name is placed on a list, followed by some basic instructions before departure. The listed coordinates are -16.4003911, -71.5370347.

The standard morning schedule begins at 9:15 am. An afternoon shift is also offered at 2:00 pm. Since the route includes open quarry areas and a canyon walk, choose the departure that fits your plans and check the current starting time when booking.

Transport is by tourist van. For a $14 tour, including a guide and transportation, this is a practical way to reach sites outside central Arequipa. You avoid arranging separate taxis and do not need to work out a return from the canyon yourself.

The tradeoff is time in the vehicle. One ride is listed at about 50 minutes, and Añashuayco is roughly 45 minutes from the city. Another 30-minute transfer follows the quarry visit. This is not a walking tour with a few nearby stops. You are paying for access to outlying places, so expect road time.

Añashuayco Quarry and the Church of the Company of Jesus carving

The quarry is the main reason to choose this trip. After the first drive, you arrive at a broad cut in the pale ignimbrite, with high walls shaped by the removal of stone blocks. The scale helps you understand the work in a way that finished city buildings cannot.

Your guide explains how ashlar is produced and how it has been used over time. The information is especially useful if you have already seen Arequipa’s churches, courtyards, and colonial facades. You can now picture the raw block before it became a doorway, wall, or decorative feature.

One memorable sight is the mega carving of the Church of the Company of Jesus. Stonemasons made this large image directly at the quarry. It gives the visit a local, hands-on character, and it is one of the better photo stops on the route.

You may also meet a stonemason who explains the daily work. The activity description says you can try cutting one of the stone blocks yourself. Treat this as a short demonstration rather than a full workshop. The value is in feeling the material and seeing that the white facades in Arequipa come from demanding manual labor.

The quarry has a rough working setting, not a polished museum floor. That is part of its appeal, but it also means you should pay attention to instructions and watch your footing. The information provided does not state how extensive the walking is inside the quarry, so do not assume the whole site is easy or fully paved.

Culebrillas canyon and its ancient markings

From Añashuayco, the van continues for about 30 minutes to Quebrada de Culebrillas. The canyon was formed by flowing water, and its walls rise roughly 15 to 20 meters. As you walk farther in, the walls become higher and the passage feels narrower.

The walk itself lasts about 20 minutes. That makes it manageable for many people who want a taste of canyon scenery without giving up half a day to a long hike. Still, it is a hike, not simply a roadside photo stop. Wear shoes that are suitable for uneven ground.

The canyon’s biggest historical draw comes near the end: petroglyphs attributed to the Wari culture and dated to more than 1,000 years ago. They add an older layer to a tour already dealing with colonial-era stonework and present-day quarry labor.

The Culebrillas stop is brief, so your guide’s explanation matters. Stay close enough to hear the commentary and take time to look carefully at the rock surfaces. Ancient markings can be easy to miss when a group is moving quickly.

The supplied details do not specify the exact designs, condition, or protective measures around the petroglyphs. Do not expect a large archaeological complex with extensive signs. The appeal is the setting: a small water-cut canyon leading to old markings on the stone.

Apachetas and a short ritual pause

Before leaving the canyon area, the route includes apachetas. These are small stone formations made by placing one stone on top of another. They are described as symbols of gratitude toward nature and as good-luck attractions.

This stop is modest but gives the outing a local Andean touch. You can see how a simple pile of stones carries meaning beyond decoration. It also provides a quiet change of pace after the quarry and the petroglyph walk.

As with the rest of the trip, keep the site as you find it. The information provided presents apachetas as an existing attraction, not as an invitation to add stones or rearrange them. Follow the guide’s directions.

Volcanoes and the Andenerias viewpoint

The tour also pauses at a strategic viewpoint where you can see volcanoes and the Chilina Valley. Depending on the season, the order may change, and another traditional viewpoint may be used at the beginning.

The listed itinerary gives about 20 minutes for the Mirador de los Volcanes. That is enough for photographs and a short explanation, but not a long viewpoint visit. Come ready to look quickly, especially if clouds affect visibility.

The reference to andenerias points to the terraced agricultural areas around the valley. From a high point, you get a broader sense of the terrain around Arequipa and the relationship between the city, valley, and volcanoes. The views are a useful counterpoint to the close walls of Añashuayco and Culebrillas.

Weather and season matter here. Volcano views are not guaranteed to be clear, and the tour itself allows for an alternate viewpoint. Keep your expectations sensible: this is a short scenic stop attached to the stone and canyon route, not a dedicated mountain-view excursion.

How the four hours are divided

The tour is advertised as four hours. The morning plan starts at 9:15 am, returns toward Arequipa at about 12:30, and reaches the city center around 1:30 pm. The detailed stop order includes the quarry, Culebrillas, the volcano viewpoint, and several van transfers.

Those times do not line up perfectly on paper, so allow some flexibility. Road conditions, the group’s pace, quarry activity, and the viewpoint order can all affect the return. If you have a train, flight, cooking class, or timed museum entry afterward, leave a generous buffer.

The route finishes near Av. La Marina, close to the center and the main square area. That is convenient for continuing your day on foot or returning to a nearby hotel, though the exact drop-off point should be confirmed with the operator.

Is $14 good value?

At $14 per person, this is inexpensive for a half-day outing that includes tourist transport and a professional guide. Paying separately for transport to two outlying sites could easily make a self-arranged visit less simple, even before adding the value of commentary.

You also need to budget for the entrance fee. The listed cost is 10 soles, and it is not included in the tour price. The information does not clarify if that fee covers all stops or is charged at one particular entrance, so carry soles and ask at the office before departure.

The value depends on what you want. If you want a quick introduction to Arequipa’s stone industry, a short canyon walk, old rock art, and a volcano viewpoint, the price is strong. If you prefer long hikes, quiet time at each stop, or detailed archaeology, four hours may feel rushed.

A rating of 4.1 from five recorded ratings suggests a generally favorable but limited record. That is too small a sample for a firm judgment, so I would focus more on the actual route and one important comfort issue noted in the available feedback.

A note about the music on the van

One verified booking from November 2024 objected to vulgar and racially offensive lyrics in the local music played during the commute. The complaint specifically noted that children were present in the group.

This is worth taking seriously, especially for families. Music selection can vary by driver or day, and the supplied information does not say that this is a standard part of every departure. Still, if clean music matters to you, ask the office or guide about it before setting out, and say clearly that you prefer family-friendly audio.

That concern does not erase the value of the quarry and canyon stops, but it is part of making an informed choice. A short van ride is easier to enjoy when the onboard atmosphere suits the whole group.

Who will enjoy this outing most?

I would choose this tour if you have limited time in Arequipa and want to get beyond the central streets. It works well for anyone curious about how the city’s pale stone is quarried, shaped, and used.

It also suits people who like a little variety. In four hours, you move from active stone extraction to a carved church image, then to a water-cut canyon, ancient petroglyphs, apachetas, and a volcano viewpoint.

Families may appreciate the short walking section, but I would ask about the van music in advance. People with a strong interest in archaeology should remember that the petroglyph stop is brief and the tour is not presented as a specialist archaeological visit.

You should think twice if you dislike driving between stops. The route includes substantial van time, and the walk inside Culebrillas is only about 20 minutes. This is a compact sightseeing trip with a short hike, not a full-day outdoor adventure.

Practical booking advice

English and Spanish guides are available. If you want the clearest explanation of quarry terms or the Wari markings, select your preferred language when booking and confirm it at the office.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Arequipa schedule is still changing.

Bring water, sun protection, and shoes with a firm sole. These items are practical choices for a quarry and canyon walk, though the supplied details do not list a formal equipment requirement. Carry 10 soles for the entrance fee and keep a little spare time after the advertised return.

Should you book the Sillar Route and Culebrillas tour?

Book it if you want a low-cost, guided look at the source of Arequipa’s white stone, with a small dose of canyon walking and ancient rock art. The active quarry and the huge Church of the Company of Jesus carving are the strongest reasons to go.

Skip it if you want a long hike, a slow archaeological visit, or complete control over the vehicle atmosphere. Families should ask about the music before departure, given the complaint about offensive lyrics.

For most short-stay visitors, the combination is worthwhile: living quarry work, Wari petroglyphs, and volcano views in one compact trip. Just treat the schedule as approximate, carry the extra fee, and leave room for the road.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the main office at C. Álvarez Thomas 115 in Arequipa. The coordinates provided are -16.4003911, -71.5370347.

What time does the morning tour begin?

The morning departure begins at 9:15 am.

Is there an afternoon departure?

Yes. A 2:00 pm shift is also available.

How long does the tour last?

The activity is described as lasting four hours. The morning schedule begins at 9:15 am and reaches central Arequipa at about 1:30 pm.

What language is the guide?

Live guides are available in English and Spanish.

What transportation is included?

Tourist transport by van is included in the price.

Is the entrance fee included?

No. Entrance fees of 10 soles are not included.

What can I see at Añashuayco Quarry?

You can see an active quarry, tall ignimbrite walls formed by stone extraction, an extensive carving of the Church of the Company of Jesus, and stonemasons at work. The activity also includes an explanation of ashlar production and a chance to try cutting a stone block.

How long is the walk at Culebrillas?

The walk inside the canyon lasts approximately 20 minutes. The canyon walls reach about 15 to 20 meters high, and the route includes Wari petroglyphs more than 1,000 years old.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes near Av. La Marina in Arequipa, with the morning service described as leaving you near the main square.