4 hours Tour: Route of Sillar with Trek in Culebrillas

Stone tells Arequipa’s story. This short outing takes you from a volcano viewpoint to the working Añashuayco quarries, then into Culebrillas Canyon, where old petroglyphs and stone offerings add a quieter finish. I especially like the chance to see how sillar is cut and to try shaping a block yourself. I also like that the tour packs several very different sights into a half-day.

The main caution is timing. The advertised duration is 270 minutes, while the morning schedule runs from 9:15 am until about 1:30 pm, and one recent departure began 30 minutes late. The English service may also be affected if the English-speaking guide is unavailable, so confirm your language before setting out.

Key points to know before booking

• See sillar at its source: Añashuayco is an active quarry, with tall ignimbrite walls created by stone extraction.
• Try the stonemason’s work: You may cut part of a sillar block and hear how local workers shape the pale volcanic stone.
• Walk into Culebrillas Canyon: The short route passes between walls that reach roughly 15 to 20 meters high.
• Find ancient Wari petroglyphs: The canyon contains carvings attributed to the Wari culture, more than 1,000 years old.
• Keep the cost low: The tour costs $11 per person, but admission fees of 18 soles are paid separately.
• Choose the right pace: This is a compact half-day outing, not a long hiking trip or a full archaeological expedition.

Why Arequipa’s sillar matters

Arequipa is famous for its pale volcanic stone, known as sillar. The material came from volcanic deposits and has long been used in the city’s buildings, churches, and decorative work. That gives the quarry visit a useful connection to the city center: you are not looking at an isolated industrial site, but at the source of a material that helped shape Arequipa.

The tour presents sillar as both stone and livelihood. At Añashuayco, stonemasons continue working early in the day, using traditional skills to cut and prepare blocks. The quarry is still active, so you get a working site rather than a polished museum display.

That distinction matters. You can see extraction marks, rough cliff faces, and the scale of the quarry walls. The setting helps explain why Arequipa’s historic buildings have such a distinctive pale appearance. It also shows the physical effort behind the city’s architecture.

Leaving central Arequipa at 9:15 am

The meeting point is the main office at C. Álvarez Thomas 115, near the listed coordinates of -16.4003911, -71.53703469999999. Your name will be checked at the office before the group receives instructions and boards the tourist transport.

The first ride lasts about 25 minutes. This is a useful start because the tour does not rush straight to the quarry. Instead, it makes room for a viewpoint that introduces the wider Arequipa area before the stonework begins.

The morning departure is scheduled for 9:15 am. An afternoon departure is also available at 2:00 pm. If you choose the later option, confirm the exact return timing when booking, since the detailed schedule provided is for the morning departure.

Volcanoes and the Chilina Valley from the first viewpoint

The opening viewpoint gives you a chance to see the volcanoes and the Chilina Valley. The stop lasts about 20 minutes, including a break, photographs, a visit, and guided explanation.

This is a good orientation stop. It places Arequipa’s built environment in its broader setting and gives you a quick look at the dramatic volcanic surroundings before the quarry visit. Depending on the season, the operator may use a different traditional viewpoint where the volcanoes are visible.

Do not expect a long scenic walk here. The stop is brief and designed for photographs and explanation. That short format works well for anyone who wants a half-day activity, though people who prefer slow, quiet sightseeing may find the schedule brisk.

Añashuayco Quarry and the Church of the Company carving

After roughly 45 minutes in the van, you reach Añashuayco Quarry. The visit lasts about 50 minutes, making it the main stop of the tour.

The quarry contains high ignimbrite cliffs formed by the removal of sillar. These walls give the site its scale. From a distance, the stone can look smooth and uniform, but close up you can see the marks and uneven surfaces created as blocks are cut away.

Your guide explains how sillar is produced and how it has been used over time. The most memorable feature is a large carving of the Church of the Company of Jesus, made by the quarry workers. It connects the raw material under your feet with the finished architecture seen in Arequipa.

The visit can also include a meeting with one of the stonemasons. This is one of the strongest parts of the experience because you hear about the daily work directly at the quarry. You may also get to try cutting a stone block yourself.

That hands-on moment is simple, but it changes the way you see the quarry. Instead of treating the stone as a background for photographs, you feel how much care and effort go into shaping it. The activity is not presented as a major workshop, so keep your expectations modest. It is a short introduction, not a full lesson in masonry.

The quarry can be dusty and exposed. Wear shoes suitable for uneven ground and clothing you do not mind getting a little dirty. The provided information does not specify shade or facilities, so carrying water is a sensible choice for any outdoor visit.

The 30-minute ride to Culebrillas

From Añashuayco, the van continues for about 30 minutes to Quebrada de Culebrillas. The change is striking. You leave the open quarry and arrive at a narrow canyon shaped by water.

The transport is practical rather than scenic in the usual sightseeing sense. It saves time between the two sites and keeps the outing within a half-day. If you are sensitive to a tightly planned schedule, note that the driving time takes up a substantial portion of the tour.

Walking inside Culebrillas Canyon

The walk inside Culebrillas lasts roughly 20 to 30 minutes, depending on how the schedule is organized. The canyon began as a water-cut channel, and its walls rise about 15 to 20 meters. As you move farther inside, the walls become higher and the space feels more enclosed.

This is the most active part of the outing, but it is still a short trek rather than a demanding hike. You get time to walk, take photographs, and listen to the guide without committing to a long route.

The canyon’s narrow shape gives it a different mood from Añashuayco. The quarry is broad and worked by people; Culebrillas is quieter and shaped by natural forces. That contrast makes the two sites work well together.

At the end of the walk, you can see petroglyphs attributed to the Wari culture, dating back more than 1,000 years. The carvings add an archaeological layer to what could otherwise be only a geological stop.

The petroglyphs should be treated with care. They are old traces on exposed rock, not a display that can be touched or handled. Your guide provides the context, but the visit is fairly brief, so anyone seeking a major archaeological site may find this portion limited.

Apachetas and the return to Arequipa

Before leaving the canyon area, the tour stops at apachetas. These are small stone formations made by placing stones one on top of another. They are described as signs of gratitude toward nature and as symbols associated with good luck.

For some people, this will be a meaningful cultural detail. For others, it may feel like a quick photo stop. I would approach it with respect rather than treating the formations as a prop. The guide’s explanation helps give the custom a place within the wider experience.

The return drive takes about 50 minutes. The morning schedule lists departure for the city at 12:30 pm and arrival near central Arequipa at about 1:30 pm, on Av. La Marina. That end point is near the main square, making it convenient if you plan to continue exploring the center afterward.

The stated timing has a small inconsistency: the product is described as 270 minutes, or four and a half hours, while the scheduled morning program lasts closer to four hours and fifteen minutes from 9:15 am to 1:30 pm. Treat the outing as a half-day activity and allow extra time in case of a late departure or traffic.

What the $11 price really covers

At $11 per person, this is an inexpensive way to reach sites outside Arequipa without arranging separate transport. The price includes tourist transportation and a professional guide in English or Spanish.

Admission is not included. The total entrance cost is listed as 18 soles, so add that amount to your budget. The difference is important: the headline price is low, but the final cost includes the separate site fees.

For the money, the value is strongest if you want several experiences in one booking: a volcano viewpoint, an active quarry, a traditional stonework demonstration, a canyon walk, and ancient petroglyphs. You are paying mainly for transport and interpretation, not for a long guided hike or a full-day cultural program.

The tour also offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later. Those terms make it easier to fit into a changing Arequipa schedule, though you should still verify the departure time and language before confirming.

Language and guide reliability

The activity is offered in English and Spanish. That is useful, especially at the quarry, where good explanation makes the difference between simply seeing a stone wall and understanding the work behind it.

One recent booking had to proceed only in Spanish because the English guide was ill. The group was offered the option to reschedule, but the visitors had other plans. This is a practical warning for English speakers: if a bilingual explanation is essential, confirm that an English-speaking guide is available on your chosen date.

Another issue was a 30-minute late start, which shortened the time available at the sites. Delays can matter here because both the quarry and canyon visits are relatively short. If you have a fixed lunch reservation, museum visit, or bus connection, leave a buffer after the stated return time.

The newer vehicle received positive notice, so the transport should be comfortable enough for the drives between stops. The exact group size is not provided, so I would not book this expecting a private tour or a guaranteed small group.

Who will enjoy this half-day outing

I would recommend this experience if you want a low-cost introduction to Arequipa’s stonework and nearby outdoor sites. It suits you especially well if you like short walks, photographs, local craft, and a guide who can connect geology, architecture, and culture.

It is also a good fit if your schedule is tight. You can leave the center in the morning and return around early afternoon, leaving time for the main square and other Arequipa sights.

Families and casual sightseers may appreciate the modest walking distance. The quarry demonstration gives the tour a practical element, while the canyon provides a change of scenery without requiring a full day outdoors.

I would think twice if you want a slow, highly detailed visit at each location. The total program includes several drives, and the stops are compact. The tour may also disappoint you if you expect a major trek, extensive ruins, or a long hands-on stone carving class.

Final call: book it for variety and value

Book this tour if you want to see how Arequipa’s famous sillar is made, add a short canyon walk, and keep your budget near $11 plus 18 soles in fees. The quarry, the Church of the Company carving, and the chance to handle the stone give the outing its strongest moments.

Skip it if you have only one free half-day and prefer a single site explored at a slower pace. Before paying, confirm the English guide, the exact departure time, and the expected return. With those details settled, this is a practical and affordable way to get beyond central Arequipa without giving up an entire day.

FAQ

How long does the Route of Sillar with Trek in Culebrillas take?

The activity is listed as 270 minutes, or four and a half hours. The morning schedule runs from 9:15 am until about 1:30 pm, so allow extra time for possible delays.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is the main office at C. Álvarez Thomas 115 in Arequipa. Your name will be checked there before the group receives instructions and begins the tour.

Where does the tour finish?

The return is near Av. La Marina in Arequipa, close to the main square.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. English service can depend on guide availability.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Tourist transportation between the meeting point, viewpoints, quarries, canyon, and return point is included.

Is a professional guide included?

Yes. A professional live guide is included, with service offered in English or Spanish.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees are separate and total 18 soles.

Is there an afternoon departure?

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

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers reserve now and pay later booking.