The Sillar Route

In the morning, we'll pick you up from your centrally located hotel in the city of Arequipa to embark on a unique adventure: the Sillar Route. This half-day tour will take us through two famous quarries, where we’ll meet artisans skilled in working with sillar stone.

Our journey begins as we head towards the Cerro Colorado district, eventually reaching the Añashuayco Quarries. Nestled at the base of the Chachani Volcano and near the Chili River, this location offers a stunning blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. We’ll explore the area of the master stonecutters, admiring handcrafted artworks like colonial facades and intricate carvings.

One highlight is the Pink Sillar, a section of the quarries that glows with a vibrant pink hue under the sun, thanks to the unique mix of sillar, sand, and rocks.

We'll also stop by the artisan workshops to gain insight into the craft of sillar working, observing how ancestral tools are used in the process. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to purchase handmade crafts (optional).

Our adventure continues with a visit to the Culebrillas Quarry, where we’ll explore an awe-inspiring natural ravine shaped by water and wind erosion.

As we walk along these narrow passageways, we'll encounter the Culebrillas petroglyphs, which feature depictions of animals like birds, felines, and snakes, reaching heights of approximately 30 meters. These ancient drawings are attributed to the Wari culture, an Andean civilization that flourished between the 7th and 13th centuries AD.

Sillar has played a crucial role in the construction of Arequipa, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

At the conclusion of our tour, we'll return to the city center of Arequipa.