Sillar Route in Arequipa: Pink canyon and volcano views
Walk through pink stone canyons where ancient carvers shaped Arequipa’s heart
A guided tour of Arequipa's sillar stone route combines a walk through the pink Culebrillas canyon with visits to the quarries and carvings that supplied the historic center. You'll explore the virgin landscape where stonemasons still work, learning how this famous white stone shaped the city's architecture. The tour runs four hours with morning or afternoon departures, van transport and a bilingual guide included.
What’s included
- Van transport through the route.
- professional guide in English or Spanish.
- access to Culebrillas canyon and the surrounding sillar landscape.
- Every day 09:00 14:00
Information
Walk through Culebrillas canyon's pink sillar stone formations and discover how Arequipa's white city was built with an English or Spanish-speaking guide.
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The experience
Culebrillas canyon is the heart of this tour: a pink sillar landscape that few visitors find on their own. You walk lightly through the virgin area, seeing the natural formations and the carved details left by generations of stoners. The guide explains the origin of sillar itself, the stone that built Arequipa's white city, and points out the valuable stonework still happening in the quarries nearby.
The tour operates on two schedules: 9:00 AM or 2:00 PM, so you can fit it around the rest of your day in Arequipa. Van transport picks you up and carries the group through the route. Your guide speaks English or Spanish and handles the navigation and history. Four hours total means you're back with time to explore the historic center itself, which was constructed from the very stone you've just seen being quarried.
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 (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.
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.
What is sillar and why does it matter to Arequipa?
Sillar is the famous white stone from which most of Arequipa's historic center was built. The tour shows you the quarries where it originates and the carvings that demonstrate how stonemasons have worked this material for centuries.
Can I walk through Culebrillas canyon on my own, or is a guide required?
The tour includes a professional guide who leads you through the canyon and explains the landscape, the stone formations and the work of the stoners. The guide is part of the experience and available in English or Spanish.
What time should I book if I want to explore the city afterward?
Both the 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM departures fit a four-hour window, so either works depending on what else you have planned. Morning gives you the afternoon free. Afternoon leaves your morning open for the historic center.
Is there an entry fee to the quarries beyond the tour price?
Entry to Añashuayco Quarries costs 5 soles. Entry to the shingles area costs 8 soles. These are separate from the tour price and paid on-site if you choose to enter.
Operated by phaway viajes peru. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated 7 days ago
Sillar Route in Arequipa: Pink canyon and volcano views
4h · EN · ES
from US$ 11 per person
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