Arequipa Sillar Route
Arequipa Sillar Route
from $ 15.00
Overview
1 – Day Sillar Route in Arequipa.
The Arequipa Sillar Route is a journey through history, architecture and culture, interwoven with the impressive landscapes of Peru. Located in the southern region of Peru, Arequipa is famous for its dazzling white buildings built from a volcanic rock known as sillar.
Explore this 7.4-km point-to-point trail near Cerro Colorado, Arequipa. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 43 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking, mountain biking, and running, and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter many other people while exploring.
The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. On this Sillar Route, you will be greeted by a landscape adorned with majestic volcanoes, including the iconic Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu. These towering sentinels provide a spectacular backdrop to the cityscape, setting the stage for a journey back in time.
Highlights
1. Sillar Quarries
- Main Attraction: Explore the sillar quarries of Añashuayco and Culebrillas, where this distinctive white volcanic stone has been extracted for centuries. The quarries are a key part of Arequipa’s identity, as many of the city’s historic buildings, including its famous colonial architecture, are built from this material.
- Artisans at Work: Witness local artisans carving sillar into intricate designs, demonstrating traditional techniques passed down through generations.
2. Culebrillas Canyon
- Natural Beauty: Walk through the Culebrillas Canyon, a narrow, winding canyon carved naturally by water over thousands of years. The canyon’s walls, composed of sillar, display stunning natural patterns and colors.
- Petroglyphs: Discover ancient petroglyphs etched into the canyon walls, offering a glimpse into the area’s pre-Columbian history.
3. Cultural Insights
- Historical Context: Learn about the historical and cultural significance of sillar in Arequipa, from its role in construction to its importance in local traditions and crafts.
- Views of Arequipa: Enjoy panoramic views of Arequipa and its surrounding volcanoes, including Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu, providing a dramatic backdrop to the tour.
4. Hands-On Experience
- Stone Carving: Participate in a hands-on stone-carving session, where you can try your hand at shaping sillar, guided by experienced artisans.
Trip Details
Frequency: Daily Departures
Schedule: 8:50 am – 13:00 pm / 13:50 pm – 18:00 pm
Itinerary
Arequipa -Sillar Route
at 8.50 am / 1:50 pm Pick up from your hotel. We will start visiting a viewpoint of the Chilina Valley from where we will see our 3 main mountains.
Then we will go to the volcanic stone quarries, transporting us to the origins and the way in which the historical center of the city of Arequipa was built.
We will visit the quarries in current exploitation and we will observe live the ancestral process of extraction of large blocks and carving of the ashlars made by the stonemasons with simple tools such as the barreta, the camber and the chisel.
We will be surprised to see how hard-working masters carve the façade of the church of the Society of Jesus on a cliff, demonstrating singular skill and dexterity.
We will visit the enigmatic Culebrillas ravine, an imposing virgin quarry in a narrow path formed by the erosion of water and wind over time. In addition to experiencing sensations of majesty and mystery, we can find petroglyphs.
We will return to the city of Arequipa.
Notes Itinerario
We recommend using a small, comfortable backpack.
Included
- Professional bilingual tour guide (English/Spanish)
- Mobility
- Visit to the Virgin Quarries
- Quarries of Añashuayco.
- Accommodation along the trek (private and sharing rooms, upon request)
- All meals in the canyon including first and last breakfast.(Vegetarian option available on request)
No Included
- Water
- Lunch
- Entrance fee (5.00)
- Extras not mentionet in the program
What To Bring
- Warm clothing
- Sunblock
- Sunglasses
- Hat to protect against the sun
- Comfortable shoes
- Personal higiene Ãtems
- Water (water is available to buy in each village, however it will be at a higher price)
- Snacks
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