Tour overview
Arequipa owes its "White City" nickname to sillar, a white volcanic stone formed by eruptions from nearby volcanoes. On this tour you travel to the Añashuayco quarries in the Cerro Colorado district, where stonecutters, known as sillareros, still cut and carve the stone by hand, just as they did centuries ago. You'll see towering white walls, giant sculptures carved into the rock and demonstrations of how the blocks are extracted. Then you head down into Culebrillas Gorge, a narrow sillar canyon with pre-Inca petroglyphs. Magone Viajes takes care of your transport, guide and tickets.
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Best time to travel Year-round. From January to March there may be afternoon rain
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Maximum altitude About 2,600 to 2,700 m / 8,530 to 8,860 ft (Añashuayco quarries)
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Physical difficulty Easy (short walks through the quarries and the gorge)
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Minimum number of passengers 1 adult
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Maximum number of passengers 20 adults in shared service
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Booking lead time 1 to 2 days in advance
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Permits Sillar Route entrance fee, price on request, included or not depending on the program
Highlights
- The Sillar Route in half a day from Arequipa.
- Route: Cerro Colorado, the Añashuayco quarries and Culebrillas Gorge.
- A live demonstration by the sillareros.
- Giant sculptures and reliefs carved in sillar.
- Pre-Inca petroglyphs in Culebrillas Gorge.
- Price on request per person.
Itinerary
Hotel pickup
We pick you up from your hotel in central Arequipa at around 9:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m., depending on the departure, and drive 30 to 40 minutes to Cerro Colorado.
Añashuayco quarries
You explore the quarries with your Magone Viajes guide. You'll see the huge sillar walls and the reliefs carved into the rock, such as the Cathedral façade, an image of Christ and the faces of historical figures.
Stonecutter demonstration
A sillarero shows you how the blocks are cut and carved by hand with traditional tools. You can try carving a piece of sillar yourself.
Culebrillas Gorge
We head down into this narrow, snake-shaped canyon with white walls and see the pre-Inca petroglyphs etched into the rock.
Return to Arequipa
We drop you back at your hotel downtown at around 1:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.
Tips
- Wear sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, because the glare off the white stone in the quarries is very strong.
- Bring a light jacket, since it gets windy in the afternoon.
- Wear comfortable shoes with good grip for Culebrillas Gorge.
- Bring water and cash in soles for the entrance fee, if not included in the program, and sillar souvenirs.
- The afternoon departure has the best light for photos.
- Pair it with the Arequipa City Tour to see how the city was built.
What's included
Included
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in central Arequipa.
- Tourist transport.
- Magone Viajes guide.
- Sillar Route entrance fee, if included in the program.
- Carving demonstration, if included in the program.
Not included
- Sillar Route entrance fee, if not included.
- Meals.
- Tips.
- Travel insurance.
- Any services not listed in this program.
Frequently asked questions
What is sillar?
It's a light white volcanic stone formed from the ash of ancient eruptions. It was used to build the churches and mansions of Arequipa's historic center.
Are the quarries still in use?
Yes. Sillareros still extract and carve the stone by hand, though there are fewer of them every year.
Is the walk in Culebrillas demanding?
No. It's short, but the ground is uneven and narrow in places.
Will the altitude affect me?
The route sits at a similar altitude to Arequipa, so you shouldn't have any trouble.
Is it suitable for kids and older travelers?
Yes, though you'll need to watch your step in the gorge.
Can I buy sillar pieces?
Yes. Local artisans sell small sculptures and souvenirs carved in sillar.
