Arequipa: Sillar Quarries & Yura Thermal Baths Private Tour

Where Arequipa's White Stone Comes From, and Where You Soak After

You visit working sillar quarries in the Añashuayco gorge northwest of Arequipa, learn how the city's white stone was extracted, then soak in Yura's thermal baths downstream. Private transport for up to six people and a bilingual guide are included. You'll need to book five days in advance.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sillar Route and Yura Thermal Baths

• Hotel pick up between 8:30 and 8:50 a.m.
• Visit sillar quarries in Añashuayco gorge
• Explore districts of Yura, Cerro Colorado, Uchumayo
• Enjoy Yura thermal baths

The experience

There's something magnetic about standing inside a working quarry, watching how a whole city gets built from the ground beneath it. The sillar route takes you northwest from Arequipa into the Añashuayco gorge: a 18-kilometer stretch carved into the slopes of Chachani Volcano where local workers still extract the pale volcanic stone that built the city's colonial churches and mansions. Your guide meets you with private transport for up to six people, and the route moves at your pace, not a schedule. You stop where the quarries open up, where you can see the stone layers and understand why this particular rock became Arequipa's signature material.

After the quarries, the day shifts. Yura thermal baths sit downstream in the same gorge, fed by hot springs that flow from the volcanic slopes. The water is warm enough to soak in, and the setting is quiet, not a resort, just the baths themselves and the canyon walls. It's the kind of stop that makes sense after spending hours in the open air, and it's included in the tour rather than tacked on as an extra. The guide speaks English and Spanish, so the history of the stone, the geology, the way the quarries shaped Arequipa's architecture: all of it lands clearly.

Book at least five days ahead. The operator asks for advance notice to confirm availability. Transport is private, which means no waiting for other groups and no fixed departure time. You arrange pickup from your hotel. The route works for families with small children (strollers are fine) and for most fitness levels, though it's not suitable if you have spinal issues or significant cardiovascular concerns.

What’s included

Your tour includes private transport for up to 6 people, a guide who speaks English and Spanish, and access to the sillar quarries in the Añashuayco gorge and the Yura thermal baths. Hotel pickup is arranged when you book.

Before you book

Lasts 6h, runs Monday to Saturday with no fixed time, from US$ 140 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish, in groups of up to 10 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday to Saturday

AgesAdult (11 to 81 years) · Under 11: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by A Y C ADVENTURE

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to understand how Arequipa was built and prefer moving at your own pace without joining a group: the private transport and bilingual guide let you linger at the quarries and thermal baths without watching the clock.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I bring children on the Sillar route tour?

Yes. Infants and small children can use a pram or stroller, and children can sit on an adult's lap. Service animals are also allowed.

What's included in the private tour?

Private transport for up to 6 people and a guide fluent in English and Spanish. Entry to the quarries and thermal baths is included.

How far in advance do I need to book?

Reservations require at least 5 days' notice. If you need to book sooner, contact the operator first to check availability.

Are the thermal baths safe to swim in?

The Yura thermal baths are natural hot springs fed from volcanic slopes. They're included as a soak stop, but confirm water conditions and any safety guidelines with your guide on the day.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant travelers?

No, it's not recommended for pregnant travelers. Check with the operator if you have specific health concerns.

Do I need to be very fit for this tour?

It's suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it involves time in an open quarry environment. It's not recommended if you have spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What's the Sillar stone used for?

Sillar is the pale volcanic stone quarried from the Añashuayco gorge. It was used to build many of Arequipa's colonial churches, mansions, and other historic structures.