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Ashlar Quarry Tour: Explore Arequipa's Historic Origins
4.5
22 Ratings
Arequipa
Embark on the Sillar Route in Arequipa and explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic quarries. Witness the ancient process of ashlar extraction and carving firsthand.
Embark on the Sillar Route in Arequipa and explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic quarries. Witness the ancient process of ashlar extraction and carving firsthand.
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Arequipa - 09:00 AM The tour begins from the historic center, heading towards the QUARRIES. Along the route, a professional guide will share insights about the city’s constructions made from volcanic rock (Sillar). The first stop is at the Volcano Viewpoint, offering a stunning view of the three volcanoes surrounding the city: MISTI, CHACHANI, and…
- Arequipa - 09:00 AM The tour begins from the historic center, heading towards the QUARRIES. Along the route, a professional guide will share insights about the city’s constructions made from volcanic rock (Sillar). The first stop is at the Volcano Viewpoint, offering a stunning view of the three volcanoes surrounding the city: MISTI, CHACHANI, and PICHU PICHU, perfect for capturing breathtaking panoramic photos.
- Canteras de Sillar - The journey continues to the quarries, the birthplace of the white city. Visitors will enter the Sillar Quarries to witness the vast cliffs shaped by human hands. After the guide’s explanation and some remarkable photos, there will be an opportunity to engage with the unique characters and learn about the ancient ashlar extraction technique, preserved from the colonial era to today.
- Culebrillas - The tour proceeds with a transport ride to the CULEBRILLAS QUARRY, where a captivating 20-minute walk awaits. Inside the shingles, a mysterious and unique atmosphere prevails, showcasing petroglyphs that reveal the life and beliefs of ancient people. This sacred place with pink walls also features apachetas, whose symbolism will be explained. Participants will have the chance to create their own apacheta.
What's Included
- Professional guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Professional guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
- Carbonated beverages
- Carbonated beverages
Additional Information
The ashlar route winds through the heart of the quarries, the very ones that guide visitors to the roots and insights into the creation of Arequipa’s historic center, recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. During a visit to the active quarries, one can witness firsthand the traditional process of extracting blocks and the skilled hand-carving of ashlar by artisans.
The ashlar route winds through the heart of the quarries, the very ones that guide visitors to the roots and insights into the creation of Arequipa’s historic center, recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. During a visit to the active quarries, one can witness firsthand the traditional process of extracting blocks and the skilled hand-carving of ashlar by artisans.
Location
of 1, C. San Agustín 119
Calle San Agustín
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.5
(22 Ratings)
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Jeffvinyul
Feb 22, 2026
Great service, good tour - Excellent service our guide Alexandra was exceptional the Ruta del Sillar and canyon tour was a must
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Williaml4591
Jan 5, 2026
Good places to take photos - If you stay at Arequipa and want to have a relaxing tour, this can be a good one, particularly if you love taking photos. The guide we had was great. I was the only one speaking English and she had to give me personal introductions every time after her “broadcasting” ones to the rest of group.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Passang
Sep 29, 2025
Fun experience - Fun experience, our guide picked us up from our hotel and then we started the tour. It went v smooth and it was fun. Our guide explained everything well
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A2237wwjorgep
Sep 19, 2025
That was great! - I visited the Ruta del Sillar for my birthday and it was one of the best experiences. Good natural landscapes that combine with history, art and tradition. In addition, the guide did a great job explaining every detail and the tour was very punctual in picking me up at the hotel.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mayra_c_taylor
Feb 3, 2025
Not to be missed in your visit to Arequipa - We visited La ruta del sillar with Oscar Trips Peru. The tour took 4 hours visiting very interesting places with magnificent views. The walks were very manageable and fun. Our guide, Alexandra, was very professional and helpful and provided a wealth of information about the area, the quarry and the canyon. Don Hernan, the driver, made us feel safe during the whole route. Totally recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cherih898
Sep 27, 2024
All this porous white stone.... - The sillar stone quarry was wonderful, but not enough time to wander throughout the whole thing and relax and take pictures. I wish they had skipped that time at the mirador at the beginning for pictures. I never heard that that was part of the tour in the first place, but in the end, I was tired and so happy. The stone quarry filled my soul. There's also a truck through a tiny narrow canyon to see petroglyphs from the days of the Huari culture. It was cool, but do not come on this wearing sandals or flip-flops. You will want solid shoes.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wrayboy
Aug 3, 2024
Perfect Tour Company for all needs - Oscar helped us with so much during our time in Arequipa. He booked us our tour to Sillar, which was great (very informative guide and comfy transport with great stops) and also helped us arrange our journey to the Colca Canyon and even helped with our transport to Puno straight from the Canyon. He helped us with baggage storage and was constantly in communication if we needed help. His prices also seem very reasonable! 10/10, thank you Oscar!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Iita0
Jan 17, 2026
Very good and fresh touch to tours and rocks - It was a good trip, The driver and guide were very good mannered and friendly. The race again other busses was some what annoying
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leslie_m
Aug 19, 2025
Short and rushed - Good but rushed and too short. The tour wasted almost an hour picking people up within a block or two of the main square. We were then very rushed in the Sillas quarry and didn't have a chance to see everything.
It would be better to have fewer pick up points and spend most than 30 minutes at the quarry.
The hike was really neat - would have been great to hike more of the canyon!
Review provided by Viator
Ellen_s
May 21, 2025
Good value for money - The visit to the Sillar quarry was fascinating. Plenty of sillar sculptures to look at and take photos with. Too many to fit into the 45 minutes allocated. There is another section with more sculptures for a small additional fee. Toilets are mainly at the beginning. Closed toe shoes are advised.
The tour to the canyon with the petroglyphs was a little disappointing. You slowly walk through the canyon following lots of other tourists. At the very end the petroglyphs are very faint and hard to get close to because of everyone filling the space. The walk out is quite steep, so not recommended for those who struggle to climb up steep and uneven slopes.
Overall it was good value for money.
Review provided by Viator
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