Trek to the Route of the Sillar and Culebrillas in Arequipa

Stone tells Arequipa’s story. This half-day outing takes you from a volcano viewpoint to the working quarries where the city’s pale volcanic stone is cut, shaped, and turned into architecture. I especially like the chance to see the Añashuayco Quarry in operation and the hands-on option to try cutting a block yourself. The short walk through Culebrillas Canyon adds a quieter change of scene, with narrow rock walls shaped by water.

The price is attractive at $13 per person, though you should add the 10-sol entrance charge. I also like that transport and a professional guide are included, with English and Spanish available. The main caution is timing. One Italian visitor found traffic made the ride to the quarry much longer, while a German visitor felt the stops were rushed. Also, the listed route ends in Arequipa and does not clearly include the advertised hot springs in Chivay.

Key points to know before you go

• Añashuayco is a working quarry: You see the cliffs created by ashlar extraction, not just a prepared photo stop.
• The mega-carving is a highlight: Local stonemasons have carved a large image of the Church of the Company of Jesus into the quarry stone.
• Culebrillas is a short canyon walk: Allow about 20 minutes on foot inside the narrow gorge.
• The best views come early: The route includes a viewpoint for volcanoes and the Chilina Valley before the quarry visit.
• The tour lasts about four and a half hours: Road traffic can affect how long you have at each stop.
• Budget for the entrance fee: Transport and a guide are included, but admission costs 10 soles separately.

Why Arequipa Is Built From White Volcanic Stone

Arequipa is often called the White City because so many historic buildings use sillar, a pale volcanic stone made from ignimbrite. The stone gives churches, courtyards, and older streets a clean, bright appearance. On this tour, you see where that look begins, in the quarries outside the city.

That connection matters. A city-center walk can show you finished doorways and carved facades, but the Sillar Route explains the labor behind them. You see the quarry walls, hear how the stone is extracted, and meet the craft in a more direct setting.

The experience is not simply a geology outing. The quarries remain tied to local work and living culture. Stonemasons continue to shape the blocks, and the guide explains how ashlar has been produced and used over time. If you want a trip that links scenery, construction, and local skill, this route offers more substance than a basic viewpoint tour.

Meeting at C. Álvarez Thomas 115

The tour begins at the main office at C. Álvarez Thomas 115, at the coordinates provided for the meeting point: -16.4003911, -71.53703469999999. Your name should be on the list at the office, followed by initial instructions before departure.

The listed start time is 9:15 a.m. From there, you travel by tourist van. The schedule gives about 20 minutes for the first drive, then a 20-minute stop at a mountain viewpoint. The route later includes drives of about 30, 30, and 45 minutes, so you should think of this as a road-based excursion with several short visits rather than a long continuous trek.

That distinction is useful. The word trek may suggest hours of walking, but the actual walking sections are limited. You will hike at the quarry for about an hour, including the guided visit, and walk inside Culebrillas for roughly 20 minutes. Comfortable shoes still make sense because the quarry and canyon are working, natural sites rather than polished museum spaces.

Volcano Views Before the Quarry

The first stop provides a broad view of the Andes, nearby volcanoes, and the Chilina Valley. The schedule allows about 20 minutes for photos and a short break. Depending on the season, the operator may use another traditional viewpoint first, since conditions and route choices can change.

This is a good opening stop because it gives you visual context before you reach the stone. You see the volcanic setting around Arequipa, then later encounter the material produced by that volcanic past. The viewpoint is also a useful place to take your main wide photos, since the quarry itself is more about close-up walls, tools, and carved stone.

Keep your expectations measured. This is a short photo stop, not a long mountain walk or a full volcano excursion. You have enough time to look around and take pictures, but the day continues on a fixed route. If you like quiet scenic stops, this part adds balance. If you mainly want the quarries, you may see it as an introduction rather than a major attraction.

Inside the Añashuayco Quarry

After roughly 45 minutes of driving from the opening portion of the route, you reach Añashuayco Quarry. The quarry is still in operation, and the extraction work has created high ignimbrite walls and a broad canyon-like setting.

This is the strongest part of the outing for me. The cliffs are not natural canyon walls in the usual sense. Their shape comes from years of removing stone for ashlar production. That gives the site an unusual look: part geological formation, part industrial work area, and part open-air cultural site.

Your guide explains how ashlar is produced and how it has been used in Arequipa. The explanation is important because the quarry can otherwise look like a dramatic cut in the rock with little context. With the background, you begin to notice the difference between raw blocks, worked stone, and finished decorative pieces.

The tour also offers a chance to visit a stonemason while he works. You can hear about the daily process and, according to the planned activity, try cutting one of the stone blocks yourself. That hands-on moment gives the visit a practical edge. It shows that the pale surfaces on Arequipa’s churches and buildings come from repeated physical work, not from a ready-made building material.

The mega-carving of the Church of the Company of Jesus is another major draw. Local stonemasons created this large carved image in the quarry, turning a working stone site into an outdoor display of local skill. The scale makes it more memorable than a small decorative sample, and it gives you a clear link between the quarry and one of Arequipa’s best-known religious buildings.

What the Quarry Visit Is Really Like

You should allow about one hour at Añashuayco, including the guided visit and walking. That sounds generous, but the time can pass quickly if the guide explains the stone, introduces you to a worker, and allows a practical cutting demonstration.

The schedule also has to account for the whole group. One German visitor felt the stop moved too fast, particularly around the sculptures. That is a useful warning if you want long periods for sketching, detailed photography, or quiet examination. You may need to take your photos promptly and stay aware of the group’s departure time.

The quarry’s active status adds interest, but it also means you should follow the guide’s instructions. This is a place where stone is extracted and shaped, not a formal gallery with every surface arranged for visitors. The industrial setting is part of the appeal, but it may feel rough around the edges.

Guide quality matters here more than at a simple viewpoint. A strong guide can explain the stone, connect the carving to Arequipa’s buildings, and make the working process understandable. One highly negative rating described a guide as impaired by alcohol or drugs, while another assessment praised an enthusiastic guide. That sharp contrast suggests that the guide can shape the day considerably. If your guide is not clear or attentive, ask direct questions about the carving, the stone, and the stonemason’s work.

Walking Through Quebrada de Culebrillas

From Añashuayco, the van continues for about 30 minutes to Quebrada de Culebrillas. Here, you walk inside a small canyon formed by the passage of water. The planned walk takes about 20 minutes, with extra time at the stop for photos and a visit.

Culebrillas changes the rhythm of the tour. Añashuayco is wide, open, and tied to human extraction. Culebrillas is narrower and shaped by natural water flow. The rock walls bring you closer to the stone, and the short walk lets you experience the setting on foot rather than viewing it from a vehicle.

This is not a long hiking route. You should see it as a compact canyon walk that complements the quarry stop. The limited walking may suit you if you want scenery without committing to a full-day hike. On the other hand, anyone expecting a major trek should know that most of the tour takes place in the van or at brief stops.

The 30-minute visit listed for Culebrillas includes the break, photos, and walking. As at the quarry, keep an eye on the clock. A short canyon can be easy to explore quickly, but you may not have time for a slow wander.

Transport, Traffic, and the Four-and-a-Half-Hour Schedule

The full duration is listed as 270 minutes, or about four hours and 30 minutes. The route ends on Avenida La Marina in Arequipa after a final drive of about 45 minutes from Culebrillas.

The van is a practical part of the experience. The quarries are outside the city, and the transport allows you to visit both Añashuayco and Culebrillas without arranging separate taxis or navigating the route yourself. The guide travels with the group and provides the explanations in English or Spanish.

Traffic is the main variable. An Italian visitor found the drive to the quarry took much longer because of road congestion. That can reduce the time available at the actual site, so I would avoid scheduling a tight activity immediately after the advertised finish. The tour may be listed as four and a half hours, but road conditions can affect the day.

The itinerary also includes a 45-minute return drive. If you prefer tours with very little vehicle time, this may feel road-heavy. If you want a low-cost way to reach two outlying sites, the transport is a strong part of the value.

Is the $13 Price Good Value?

At $13 per person, this is an inexpensive excursion for a guided outing with tourist transport. The price covers the van and professional guide, which removes the biggest practical difficulty of reaching the quarries independently.

You must pay an additional 10 soles for entrance to the sites. That extra cost is modest, but it should be included in your budget. The total still offers good value if you care about the quarry, the mega-carving, and the explanation of ashlar production.

The value is less clear if you want a long hiking day or a carefully paced photography tour. The walking is limited, the schedule is shared, and traffic can eat into the stop times. You are paying for access, transport, and interpretation rather than a large amount of free time.

The advertised highlights also mention a relaxing soak in the hot springs of Chivay after the trek. The detailed schedule provided for this experience does not include Chivay, a hot spring stop, or transport there. It begins and ends in Arequipa, so confirm this point before booking if the hot springs are important to your decision.

Who Will Enjoy This Experience Most

I would recommend the tour to you if you want to understand Arequipa’s architecture from the source. It works especially well for people who enjoy working sites, local craft, short walks, and unusual photo locations.

It also suits a first visit to Arequipa because the opening viewpoint gives you a quick look at the surrounding mountains, while the quarry explains a central feature of the city’s appearance. The English and Spanish guide option makes the history and production process easier to follow.

You may want another kind of outing if your priority is a long hike, a quiet nature day, or a carefully controlled schedule. The route includes several van journeys and brief stops. It may also disappoint if you book mainly for the Chivay hot springs without confirming that they are actually part of your departure.

For the best experience, wear comfortable footwear, keep your camera ready at the quarry and viewpoint, and allow some flexibility after the stated return time. The quarry is the main event, so do not spend all your attention on the first viewpoint.

Booking, Cancellation, and Practical Details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Availability should be checked for the starting time, even though the listed departure is 9:15 a.m.

The operator is Arequipa Explorer y Actividades Turisticas. English and Spanish guiding is available. Transport and the professional guide are included, while the 10-sol site entrance fee is not.

The final drop-off is listed as Av La Marina in Arequipa, Peru. Since the meeting point is C. Álvarez Thomas 115, you should check the distance between your accommodation and both points before planning the day around the tour.

Should You Book the Sillar Route and Culebrillas Tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, compact introduction to Arequipa’s volcanic stone and local stonemasonry. The working Añashuayco Quarry, the Church of the Company of Jesus mega-carving, and the short Culebrillas walk give the outing real variety.

Go in with realistic expectations. This is a four-and-a-half-hour van tour with limited walking, possible traffic delays, and a schedule that may feel brisk. Confirm the hot springs question before paying, and remember the separate 10-sol entrance fee. For the price, the quarry visit offers strong value, provided you are happy with a practical group outing rather than a slow, highly personalized day.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

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

What time does the tour begin?

The listed start time is 9:15 a.m. You should check availability when booking because starting times may vary.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts 270 minutes, or about four hours and 30 minutes.

What languages are available?

The live guide is available in English and Spanish.

What does the price include?

The price includes tourist transport and a professional guide. Entrance to the sites, listed as 10 soles, is not included.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at Av La Marina in Arequipa, Peru.

Is the Chivay hot spring visit included?

The highlights mention a hot spring soak in Chivay, but the detailed route provided ends in Arequipa and does not list a Chivay stop. Confirm this directly before booking if the hot springs are important to you.