Sillar and Culebrillas Route

Añashuayco Quarry

Available schedules for the Sillar Route

We have two schedules for the Sillar Route: 09:00 a.m. and 14:00 p.m. During this period, we will pick up passengers from hotels located in downtown Arequipa.

Sillar Route Tour: History, Culture and Living Nature

We will begin our tour towards the Sillar Route, a tourist experience that immerses us in the rich history and living culture of Arequipa. This tour includes visits to the quarries and areas where the sillar, the volcanic stone that has been a fundamental part of the construction of the most emblematic monuments of the city, originated.

First stop: Quarry of Añashuayco

The first destination will be the Añashuayco Quarry, which we will reach in approximately 45 minutes. This quarry, currently in full exploitation, is a fascinating place where the quarrymen work hard since dawn.

In Añashuayco, we will be able to admire an impressive canyon surrounded by ignimbrite cliffs, rock formations of several meters high, product of the extraction of ashlar. During our visit, we will learn about the history of the sillar, its elaboration process and how it has been used throughout the centuries.

At this point, we will also have the opportunity to see a mega carving that represents the Church of the Company of Jesus, a work made by the stonemasons themselves. It is an example of the craftsmanship that characterizes the stone workers in Arequipa.

Culebrillas Creek

Second stop: Quebrada de Culebrillas Gorge

After exploring Añashuayco, we will head to the Quebrada de Culebrillas, located 30 minutes away. This small canyon, formed by the passage of water over the centuries, invites us to a walk of approximately 20 minutes along its walls of 15 to 20 meters high. As we advance, the canyon walls rise, creating a unique and mysterious atmosphere.

At the end of the hike, we will find petroglyphs made by the Wari culture, who inhabited this region more than a thousand years ago. These rock engravings are an impressive sample of the art and cosmovision of the ancient inhabitants of Arequipa.

Last stop: Las Apachetas

Before returning to the city, we will make a brief stop to observe the Apachetas, stone formations arranged one on top of the other, which are used as symbols of gratitude and respect for nature. These constructions are an ancestral tradition that is still alive in the region, and represent the deep bond of the local communities with their natural environment.

This tour through the Sillar Route not only allows us to learn about the extraction processes of the stone that shaped the White City, but also to immerse ourselves in the history, art and traditions of Arequipa, creating a unique experience that combines culture, nature and historical legacy.

Return to Arequipa

We will begin our return trip to the city of Arequipa, concluding our fascinating journey along the Sillar Route.

We will arrive in downtown Arequipa and drop you off near the Plaza de Armas, where you can enjoy the beauty of the city and explore its surroundings.