From Arequipa: Sillar Route Excursion || Half Day ||

Explore the captivating "Sillar Route Excursion" in Arequipa, Peru. This half-day tour immerses visitors in the city’s rich cultural heritage, showcasing its iconic white architecture. For just $20 per person, travelers can embark on a 5-hour adventure, discovering ancient quarries, canyons, and petroglyphs while learning about the artisanal craft of sillar extraction. With expert bilingual guides and included transportation, this excursion offers an immersive cultural experience that’s not to be missed. What awaits beyond the Sillar Route?

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Key Points

Explore the iconic Sillar Route, a half-day excursion from Arequipa, showcasing the city’s renowned white sillar architecture and quarrying culture.
Visit the Añashuayco Quarry to witness the skilled masons at work and gain insights into the local craftsmanship.
Discover the Quebrada de Culebrillas canyon, formed by sillar extraction, and observe ancient petroglyphs along the canyon walls.
Experience the cultural significance of the Sillar Route, recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Nation.
Enjoy a comfortable, guided tour with transportation, entrance fees, and travel insurance included in the starting price of $20 per person.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

The Sillar Route Excursion is a 5-hour activity that takes visitors on a journey to explore Arequipa’s rich cultural heritage.

Priced from $20 per person, the tour is offered in English and Spanish. Participants can conveniently reserve their spot without upfront payment and enjoy free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

The excursion includes transportation, a knowledgeable guide, and entrance fees to the Sillar Route and Culebrillas Canyon.

Covering highlights like the Añashuayco Quarry and petroglyphs, the Sillar Route Excursion promises an immersive cultural experience and adventure for travelers.

Looking for more options in Arequipa? We've reviewed plenty of other experiences.

Itinerary Highlights

Guests embark on the Sillar Route Excursion with a pickup at 8:50 a.m. from a designated point in Arequipa.

They’ll visit the Añashuayco Quarry to see local masons working with the region’s renowned sillar stone.

Next, they’ll admire the dramatic canyon formed by sillar extraction.

Exploring the Quebrada de Culebrillas, a water canyon with 20-meter high walls, they’ll walk for about 20 minutes.

Along the way, they’ll discover ancient petroglyphs of unknown meaning.

The tour returns to Arequipa by 1:00 p.m., providing an immersive cultural experience.

Cultural Significance

The Sillar Route is recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Nation, reflecting Arequipa’s deep-rooted connection to this distinctive stone.

Arequipa is known as the "White City" due to its iconic sillar architecture, which has shaped the city’s unique aesthetic.

The Sillar Route excursion offers a chance to witness the living culture of sillar extraction and craftsmanship.

Visitors can explore the canyon formed by this process and discover ancient petroglyphs, providing a glimpse into the region’s rich history.

This cultural adventure promises to enrich one’s understanding of Arequipa’s enduring identity and traditions.

Inclusions

The tour includes transportation by bus or minibus, ensuring a comfortable journey along the Sillar Route.

An English and Spanish-speaking guide accompanies the group, providing insight into the cultural significance of the Sillar Route, which is recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Nation.

Entrance fees to the Añashuayco Quarry and Culebrillas Canyon are covered, allowing visitors to fully explore these iconic sites.

Plus, travel insurance is included, offering peace of mind during the excursion.

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Booking Information

Visitors can check availability for different starting times of the Sillar Route Excursion. They’ll need to select the desired number of participants and date.

The meeting point for the tour is available on Google Maps, making it easy to find the designated pickup location in Arequipa.

Booking the tour allows travelers to secure their spot without upfront payment. With free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, this provides flexibility for travelers’ plans.

There's plenty more to explore in Arequipa

Sillar Quarry Exploration

As visitors embark on the Sillar Route Excursion, they’ll have the opportunity to witness the local masons in action at the Añashuayco Quarry.

The quarry offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of Arequipa, known as the "White City" for its distinctive sillar stone architecture.

Visitors can:

Observe the skilled masons as they carve and shape the sillar stone using traditional tools and techniques.
Admire the natural canyon formed by the extraction of sillar over centuries.
Explore the Quebrada de Culebrillas, a water canyon with 20-meter high walls carved by the flow of water.
Discover the enigmatic petroglyphs adorning the canyon walls, whose meanings remain a mystery.

Quebrada De Culebrillas Adventure

What awaits adventurous explorers at the Quebrada de Culebrillas? This stunning water canyon boasts 20-meter high walls, carved over time by the flow of water.

Visitors can walk for approximately 20 minutes through this unique geological formation, marveling at its raw natural beauty. Along the way, they’ll discover ancient petroglyphs etched into the rock, whose meanings remain a mystery.

Winding through a stunning geological formation, explorers encounter ancient petroglyphs whose meanings remain a captivating mystery.

This immersive experience offers a glimpse into Arequipa’s rich cultural heritage, as the Sillar Route is recognized as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Nation.

An unforgettable adventure awaits those who venture into the Quebrada de Culebrillas.

Discovering Petroglyphs

What mysteries lie hidden within the ancient petroglyphs etched into the Quebrada de Culebrillas?

Visitors on the Sillar Route excursion have the chance to uncover these enigmatic symbols. As they explore the 20-meter high canyon walls, they’ll discover:

Geometric shapes and intricate designs that may represent celestial bodies, animals, or ancient rituals.
Faded etchings worn smooth by the elements, hinting at centuries of history.
Unique rock art that offers a glimpse into the lives and beliefs of the region’s indigenous peoples.
Unanswered questions about the meanings and purposes of these mysterious petroglyphs.

Things To Know

What Is the Minimum Group Size for This Tour?

The minimum group size for this tour is not specified. The tour is available for individual bookings, and the price per person is provided. Interested travelers can check availability and reserve their spot without an upfront payment.

Are There Any Dietary Restrictions or Special Requirements?

The tour doesn’t mention any specific dietary restrictions or special requirements. However, participants are advised to inform the tour operator of any dietary needs or accessibility requirements when booking to ensure their needs are accommodated.

Can We Take Photos and Videos During the Tour?

Yes, you can take photos and videos throughout the tour. Photography is encouraged to capture the stunning scenery, local craftsmanship, and cultural highlights along the Sillar Route excursion.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?

Yes, there’s an option to extend the tour duration. Guests can inquire with the tour operator about upgrading to a full-day tour to explore more of the Sillar Route and surrounding areas at an additional cost.

Are There Any Additional Fees or Hidden Costs?

The tour price includes all necessary entrance fees and transportation. There are no additional or hidden costs. The only optional expense is travel insurance, which is also included in the listed price.

Sum Up

This captivating Sillar Route Excursion immerses visitors in Arequipa’s rich cultural heritage. Exploring the Añashuayco Quarry and Culebrillas Canyon, travelers witness ancient petroglyphs and learn about the artisanal craft of sillar extraction. Accompanied by expert bilingual guides, this half-day adventure offers a unique opportunity to appreciate Arequipa’s architectural beauty and natural wonders, all at an affordable price of just $20 per person.