ABOUT
Book our Sillar route tour and discover why Arequipa is known as the “White City“. During this excursion you will explore Sillar stone quarries from which the stones were extracted to build this city.
Sillar is a type of super white stone (Ashlar) and it has a volcanic origin, it is known scientifically as “White Ignimbrite” and it is for this reason that this city is known as the “White City” — there are still many old buildings located in Arequipa’s downtown that were built with this type of stone, for example: The Bolognesi bridge, the church of La Merced, the church of Santo Domingo, the church of the Company of Jesus, the Monastery of Santa Catalina, etc.
Why to reserve with us?
- 100% Peruvian company
- 100% Indigenous team
- Licensed tour guides
In conclusion, since the pre-Hispanic times Sillar stones were used for the execution of this city; these quarries are located to the north of Arequipa city and they are mainly made up of three quarries: Añashuayco, Cortadores and Virgen de Culebrillas.
DETAILS
Duration: About 4 hours.
Language:
- Group tour: Spanish and English simultaneously
- Private tour: Spanish, English — separate groups based on the language. If you want another language, just let us know!
Tour Type:
- Group tour: 10 to up to 30 attendees
- Private tour: No strangers
Accessibility: This tour is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
What to bring?
- Sweaters or jackets
- Anti-slip shoes
- Passport — it’s optional, but at least have a digital photo
- If you are Peruvian, bring your original document
- Raincoats
- Ponchos — buy it in Arequipa city
- Caps or hats
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- A bottle of water
- Local currency in cash for entrance tickets, lunch and others
Included:
- Group tour:
- Pick up from your hotel — applies only for hotels located in the historic center
- Licensed tour Guides
- Tourist bus with air conditioning
- Private tour:
- Pick up with vehicle and tour Guide from your hotel
- On time pick up from your hotel
- Private, professional and authorized tour Guide
- Private Driver
- Private vehicle: Auto, H1, Van, Renault, Sprinter — it will depend on the group size
- First aid kit
- Drop off at your hotel
Not Included:
- Tips (optional)
- Meal
- Entrance tickets for the Sillar quarry: 10 Soles per person
- * You can buy the entrance tickets to the attractions on the same day of the tour
How to book? Please book on this webpage.
WhatsApp: +51 958745640 & +51 984479073.
HIGHLIGHTS
The itinerary can always change because of weather, strikes and festivals. If you book a private tour, we will pick you up from anywhere in the city of Arequipa and drop you off at your hotel.
Meeting Place — at about 9:30 and 13:00 — you choose your schedule
We will pick you up by bus from your Hotel — as long as you stay in the historic center, otherwise we will coordinate another meeting place according to your convenience.
Transfer from Arequipa to the Sillar route — Ashlar quarries
This bus ride lasts about 40 minutes.
Explore the Ashlar quarries of Añashuayco and Cortadores
These quarries are located at the Cerro Colorado district, 40 minutes by bus from Arequipa’s historic center of Arequipa. The Sillar—Ashlar quarries are currently managed by La unión red de cortadores de Sillar. The quarry has a length of 2 thousand meters and a depth of up to 30 meters. The use of these quarries already occurred during the pre-Hispanic era.
Quarry of Virgen de las Culebrillas
After visiting the first quarries, you will take a walk of about 20 minutes to visit the quarries of Virgen de las Culebrillas located at the Culebrillas canyon. During this short walk, you will be able to see petroglyphs from the pre-Inca Wari civilization and also observe the Chachani volcanoes as well as the famous Misti volcano.
Transfer back to Arequipa city
Tour Ending Place — at about 13:00 18:00
This excursion ends in the historic center of Arequipa city, three blocks away from the main square. This tour doesn’t end at your hotel unless you book a private tour.
PHOTOS
PRICE
✅ Group tour:
- 23 USD per person
✅ Private tour:
- 60 USD per person based on 2 people
- 57 USD per person based on 3 people
- 55 USD per person based on 4 people
- 54 USD per person based on 5 people
- If your group is bigger, contact us pls!
SCHEDULES
✅ Group Tour: Everyday, two schedules.
- Pick up at 9:00 approx. — it ends by 13:00 approx.
- Pick up at 14:00 approx. — it ends by 18:00 approx.
✅ Private Tour: Everyday.
- If you book a private tour, we are flexible with the schedule
23 USD
MEETING PLACE
We pick you up at your Hotel — applies only for hotels located in the historic center; otherwise, we’ll coordinate another meeting place according to your convenience.
REVIEWS
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EverydayOur Social Project
Our philanthropic objective is to help Andean and indigenous communities to improve their socio-economic conditions, with part of the tips received in free tours and a percentage from the paid tours.
