Peru · Geological Wonders

The Sillar Route in Arequipa

4 Hours Round trip from Pickup service provided in Arequipa. Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Visit the Añashuayco sillar quarries at the foot of Volcano Chachani
  • 02 See master cutters create facades and carvings by hand
  • 03 Learn about traditional ashlar work in local artisan workshops
  • 04 Explore the natural ravine of Quebrada de Culebrillas
  • 05 Discover the volcanic stone behind Arequipa’s White City heritage
  • 06 Enjoy desert landscapes and cultural scenery outside Arequipa

Discover the story behind Arequipa’s famous white stone on this half-day Sillar Route experience. Travel to the quarries of Añashuayco and Culebrillas to see where sillar comes from and how this volcanic material helped shape the city’s monuments, temples, and mansions.

Along the way, admire striking desert scenery, watch master cutters at work, and visit artisan workshops to learn about traditional carving techniques. You’ll also explore the natural ravine of Quebrada de Culebrillas, where wind and water have sculpted the landscape into an impressive geological setting.

Discover the story behind Arequipa’s famous white stone on this half-day Sillar Route experience.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
City Arequipa
Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Canteras de Añashuayco

After picking you up from the hotel in the morning, we are going to begin a very special tour: The Silllar Route.

We will take the road towards the district of Cerro Colorado until reach the “Canteras de Añashuayco”, located at the bottom of the Volcano Chachani, next to the River Chili. This place has a wonderful natural, and cultural, landscape. Walking through the master cutters area, we are going to admire handmade art work, such as colonial facades and carvings.

Also, we will visit artisan workshops to learn about the work done with ashlar, and we will see how they work on it with ancestral instruments.  You will have the opportunity to purchase local handicraft (optional).

Quebrada de Culebrillas

Continuing with this amazing tour, we are going to visit the “Cantera de Culebrillas”, and we will explore this impressive natural ravine formed by the erosion of the water and wind. The ashlar (sillar) has been used for the constructions of important buildings in the city of Arequipa, declares a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

At the end of the tour, we will return to the end point located at the touristic stop on Calle Zela, located next to Santa Catalina Monastery.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in Arequipa. 1 city · 4 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Transportation
  • First Aid Kit
  • Pick up hotels

What's Not Included

  • Pay to master cutters
  • Drop off hotels

Know before you go

  • INFANTS MUST SIT ON LAPS
  • PASSPORT REQUIRED
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • No public transportation nearby
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • You should bring hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, spending money for personal expenses
  • Children 2 and younger are complimentary if they are sitting on their parent's laps
  • Pick up from centrally located Arequipa city hotels
  • Drop off at the touristic stop on Calle Zela, located next to Santa Catalina Monastery

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Arequipa.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Arequipa.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 4 hours finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Arequipa..

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