R
Interesting to see and do
It’s quite dusty. The gorge walk to the It’s dusty, as expected, and interesting. petroglyphs is not difficult, but wear proper shoes for the rocks, and for climbing out. Good communications and care taken by the guide.
Sillar Route and Culebrillas Petroglyphs
+18 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Price from
- $23 / person
- Location
- Arequipa, Peru
- Rating
- 4.5 / 5 · 110 reviews
- Languages
- EN, ES
- Group
- Small group, up to 18
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Puriy Perú Expeditions
Description
The Route of the Sillar, is an immense quarry of sillar (stone of volcanic origin), that forms spectacular gorges, similar to those of Petra in Jordan, you can also see petroglyphs and appreciate the way of extraction of the stones.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 8
- Adult (ages 18–69)
- $23
- Senior (ages 70–80)
- $23
- Youth (ages 12–17)
- $22
- Child (ages 5–11)
- $22
- Infant (ages 0–4)
- Free
Out at sunset: the 2:00 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 5:47 PM in the coming weeks.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Yanahuara
Our adventure begins with pickup at your hotel and then transfer to the traditional town of Yanahuara, very notable for its ashlar arches, a white volcanic stone typical of colonial architecture in Arequipa. This viewpoint provides an exceptional view of the city of Arequipa. Likewise, from there we can admire the three most famous snow-capped mountains in the region: Chachani, Pichu Picchu and Misti.
Canteras de Sillar
Near the city of Arequipa is one of the most impressive natural landscapes you can imagine. It is a treasure for the Arequipeño people from where the iconic sillar (the white volcanic stone used in the colonial constructions of Arequipa) is extracted. The builders explain their work techniques and the uses of volcanic stone in the same place.
After a guided tour of the quarry area and observing the artisanal work of this stone, we will continue our visit to the serpentine ravine of Culebrillas, located 15 minutes from the Añashuayco quarry, we will begin our walk of about 20 minutes, Culebrillas It is an impressive area that stands out for its curvilinear formations full of charm and magic (the walk is a bit bumpy) we will observe some petroglyphs impregnated on the walls of the ravine. We will climb a slope for about 5 minutes. At the end we will observe the Apachetas, stone mounds that represent a mystical tradition for the local residents. We will embark on mobility, the return takes approximately 40 minutes to reach the city center.
What's included
Included
group tour
Admission to Culebrillas S/5.00
Certified Guide
Entrance to Añashuayco S/5.00
Not included
Extra expenses.
Pickup Locations & Times
The pick-up is only in the Historic Center, if your accommodation is far away the meeting point will be at the door of the cathedral in the Plaza de Armas of Arequipa.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.5
110 reviews
How it compares in Arequipa
- No. 15 by number of reviews among 359 tours in Arequipa
- Starting price $23 is 60% below the typical $58 for tours of similar length in Arequipa
Excurgo comparison of 359 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- It is not recommended for older adults (in the Culebrillas canyon there is a hike and it is a bit rugged)
- One day before, our staff will provide you with recommendations.
- Not recommended for travelers with dust allergy.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sillar Route and Culebrillas Petroglyphs take?
Sillar Route and Culebrillas Petroglyphs lasts about 4 hours. The itinerary has 3 stops.
How much does Sillar Route and Culebrillas Petroglyphs cost?
Prices start at $23 per person for this Arequipa experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Sillar Route and Culebrillas Petroglyphs run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
How much does Sillar Route and Culebrillas Petroglyphs cost for children?
Children aged 5–11 pay from $22, adults from $23. Infants go free.
Can I cancel Sillar Route and Culebrillas Petroglyphs for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. The pick-up is only in the Historic Center, if your accommodation is far away the meeting point will be at the door of the cathedral in the Plaza de Armas of Arequipa. Pickup points include El Portal de San Lazaro, Leon Park Hostal.
What languages is Sillar Route and Culebrillas Petroglyphs offered in?
The experience is available in EN, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 18 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Sillar Route and Culebrillas Petroglyphs worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.5 out of 5 across 110 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Puriy Perú Expeditions.
Reviews(110)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
M
Worth your money
I dont know why this got a low to average stars but i think it deserves more than that especially if your guide is Alexandra. Today, we visited the places as mentioned in the descriptions and itineraries and i can say it is great. Weather is good and maybe hot but i was able to indulge myself with the informations and history given by our guide - Alexandra. She is very knowledgeable and very accommodating. You can see that she loves her job so much which makes the tour great and informative. Over-all i must say, im giving it a five.
Operator response
Thank you very much for taking the time to share such a wonderful review. It truly brings us great joy to receive comments like yours and to know that you had such a positive experience with us. We are especially proud of our guide Alexandra, who represents the values and spirit of our agency. We sincerely appreciate your kind words and the recognition you have given to her dedication, knowledge, and passion. Thank you once again for choosing us. We look forward to welcoming you on another unforgettable adventure in Arequipa! Warm regards, PURIY EXPEDITIONS TEAM
R
Sillar
She catered to Spanish speakers and only after a full explanation in Spanish, did she translate. I think both languages back and forth would be better. The mosquitoes were ferocious. Wear long pants!!!
Operator response
Thank you very much for sharing your feedback with us. We truly appreciate your comments and will take them into consideration to improve the bilingual experience during our tours. We will also make sure to remind our travelers to wear long pants and bring mosquito repellent. We hope to welcome you again in the future! Puriy Team
F
Sillar route
Very interesting background to Arequipa Sillar use including recent decisions to protect the historical workers links to the quarry. It is closer to the city than I expected with the drive through the city margins.
Operator response
Thank you very much for choosing us and for sharing your experience. We are delighted to know that you found the history and traditions surrounding the Sillar quarries interesting. It was a pleasure to have you with us, and we truly appreciate your trust. We hope to welcome you back to Arequipa in the future! Puriy Team 💙
T
Superb half day
An excellent half day! Our guide, Lady (her name!) was superb. Kept the show on the road and communicated brilliantly. It’s a really interested tour of some amazing natural places and incredible sights. Really good value for money too. Well worth it.
Operator response
Thank you so much for choosing PURIY EXPEDITIONS for your experience! 💙 We are delighted to know that you had such an enjoyable tour and that Lady made your experience even more special with her excellent guidance and communication. Your kind words mean a lot to our entire team. We truly hope to welcome you again for another wonderful adventure in Arequipa!
N
Unimpressive sites
These sites are simply not that exciting. The petroglyphs are very tricky to see and not too impressive (there are a ton of mosquitos on the way). The quarry was interesting but felt like a tourist trap. It was a very long time in the car, longer than all of the sites combined.
Operator response
Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry the tour did not meet your expectations. The itinerary, travel times, and recommendations, including bringing insect repellent due to mosquitoes in some areas are provided before the tour so guests know what to expect. We truly appreciate your comments and hope to welcome you again on another experience in the future.
C
Nice experience. I think...
Nice experience. I think the coolest part was getting to see the workers working on new sculpture if you get lucky to see them. Well organize and better in afternoon since it’s not as hot.
Operator response
Thank you for your kind review. We're delighted you enjoyed the experience, especially seeing our local artisans at work. We also appreciate your suggestion about visiting in the afternoon and hope to welcome you again on your next visit to Arequipa. King regards.
A
Sillar quaries
Fantastic tour ! Bit dissapointed with 35 minute wait for pick up! Guide was very good. Only thing I would recommend is slightly longer times at the quarry as it seemed a bit rushed
Operator response
Thank you very much for your kind review and for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that our guide made a positive impression. We sincerely apologize for the longer wait during the pickup. As we collect several passengers from different hotels within Arequipa's city center before starting the tour, slight delays can sometimes occur. We truly appreciate your patience and understanding. Thank you as well for your suggestion regarding the time spent at the quarry. We value your feedback and will take it into consideration as we continuously look for ways to improve our tours while maintaining the overall schedule. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again on another adventure in Peru!
D
It is very dusty and does...
It is very dusty and does not include much information about the mining process of the sillar itself, instead focusing on statuary made from sillar. The most fun part of the trip was the hike through Culebrillas Canyon (a very narrow ravine with steep walls). It was like an obstacle course.
Operator response
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the hike through Culebrillas Canyon, it is indeed one of the most unique and adventurous parts of the Sillar Route. Regarding the dust, you are absolutely right. Sillar is a natural volcanic stone, and because the quarry is an active extraction site, some dust is naturally present during the visit. This is part of the authentic experience of seeing how this iconic material is worked. We will share your feedback with our team to ensure these explanations are even clearer and more comprehensive for future visitors. Thank you once again for your valuable comments. We truly appreciate your feedback, as it helps us continue improving the experience we provide.
L
Great short day trip.
Magali was our guide. She did a great job. Be prepared to walk. Could have used more time at the statues/quarry to see all of it. Some of the walk is uphill. Wear closed toe hiking boots or good athletic shoes. Went in June at 9 am slot and it was hot. Sun screen recommended. Mosquitoes at cabrillas are real!! Van ride was good. Definitely a great short day trip!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind review and, most importantly, for choosing and trusting us for your visit to Arequipa. We're delighted to know you had an enjoyable experience and that Magali's guidance made your tour even more special. We also truly appreciate you sharing your recommendations they will certainly be helpful for future travelers. It was a pleasure being part of your journey, and we hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable experience in Peru. Safe travels!
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from$23
4.5(110) Free cancellation