Sillar Route and Culebrillas Petroglyphs tour from Arequipa

Trace ancient petroglyphs and volcanic stone carved like Petra’s gorges

A guided tour from Arequipa to the Sillar quarry and Culebrillas Canyon, with hotel pickup and admission included. You start in the colonial town of Yanahuara overlooking the city and three snow-capped peaks, then move to the quarry where stonemasons demonstrate how they extract the white volcanic stone used in Arequipa's buildings. The day ends with a walk through the curvilinear ravine of Culebrillas, where you see petroglyphs on the canyon walls and stone mounds called Apachetas that hold spiritual meaning for local residents.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Yanahuara20m
2. Cotahuasi CanyonEntry included40m

Explore Arequipa and Sillar Quarry

• Pickup at hotel
• Visit Yanahuara viewpoint
• Tour sillar quarry and learn extraction
• Walk Culebrillas ravine and see petroglyphs
• Return to city center

The experience

You're picked up from your hotel and driven to Yanahuara, a traditional town built from ashlar arches of white volcanic stone. The viewpoint there frames Arequipa below and three snow-capped mountains (Chachani, Pichu Picchu and Misti) that define the region's skyline. From there, the route moves to the Sillar quarry itself, an immense excavation that cuts into the landscape like Petra in Jordan. Builders work the stone on-site and explain their extraction techniques and how the volcanic rock shaped Arequipa's colonial architecture.

After the quarry tour, you travel 15 minutes to Culebrillas, a ravine known for its serpentine curves. A walk of about 20 minutes takes you past petroglyphs imprinted on the canyon walls. The path is uneven and requires some scrambling. You'll climb a slope for roughly 5 minutes to reach the Apachetas, stone mounds stacked by locals as part of a mystical tradition. The return journey to the city center takes about 40 minutes.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• certified guide in English or Spanish.
• admission to the Sillar quarry at Añashuayco.
• admission to Culebrillas Canyon.

Before you book

Lasts 4h, runs every day at 09:00 and 14:00, from US$ 23 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 to 69 years) · Senior (70 to 80 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Puriy Perú Expeditions

Is this one for you?This tour works best for travelers with a free afternoon in Arequipa and a moderate level of fitness, since the walk through Culebrillas involves uneven ground and a short climb. The guide explains the quarry techniques and local traditions as you move through each site, so you get context for what you're seeing rather than exploring on your own.

Traveler reviews

4.44★★★★★★★★★★

114 verified traveler reviews

5 ★78

4 ★19

3 ★9

2 ★5

1 ★3

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What is the Sillar quarry and why is it important to Arequipa?

The Sillar quarry is the source of the white volcanic stone that built Arequipa's colonial architecture. Stonemasons still work there using traditional extraction methods, and the quarry itself forms spectacular gorges carved into the landscape.

What will I see on the walk through Culebrillas Canyon?

Culebrillas is a curvilinear ravine where petroglyphs are carved into the canyon walls. You'll also see Apachetas (stone mounds that local residents build as part of a spiritual tradition), and the uneven terrain of the ravine itself.

How much walking and climbing is involved in this tour?

The walk through Culebrillas takes about 20 minutes and includes a 5-minute climb up a slope. The path is bumpy and uneven, so it requires a moderate level of fitness and comfort with rough terrain.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes hotel pickup, a certified guide in English or Spanish, and admission to both the Añashuayco quarry and Culebrillas Canyon.