Tour Details For Ashlar Route

Discover the origin of the White City of Arequipa with our Ashlar Route Tour. Explore the impressive quarries where the iconic white volcanic stone is extracted and carved. Take incredible photos of towering canyon walls and learn firsthand about the ancient and modern techniques used in sillar carving. This immersive experience includes a walk through the Añashuayco Quarry and the mystical Culebrillas Ravine, a natural canyon shaped by centuries of water erosion.

Departure & Return Location

Arequipa, Peru

Departure Time

Daily departures at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM

Duration

4 hours (Half Day)

Difficulty

Easy

Highest Altitude

2400 m or 7874 ft

Places Visited

Añashuayco Quarry, Sillar carving & mega sculpture zones, Culebrillas Ravine

Price Includes

Hotel pick-up or a nearby meeting point located in Arequipa's historic center
Professional bilingual (English/Spanish) tour guide
Visit to the Añashuayco Quarries
Visit to the Culebrillas Canyon
Tourist transport (round trip)

Price Excludes

Entrance: S/10.00 per person
Meals and personal expenses

Ashlar Route

Additional Tour Information

Pricing is based on two people. Single occupancy is another price.
Please ask us about special group discounts if travelling with 5 or more people.
Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking
Tour does not have fixed departures, you can choose your own start date
Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
If you are a senior or traveling with small children please ask us about our private tours.
Peak season surcharges may apply during Peruvian holidays.

Cancellation Policy

As the Industry leader in customer service we provide you with the flexibility to change your travel plans – with the assurance that you’ll have options to re-book when it suits you. As long as you notify us about changes to your travel plans at least 24 hours* before your scheduled departure, you can pick new travel dates or an entirely different trip, with no change fees. We offer:

Flexible Payments
Partial Deposits
No Change Fees*
Secure Online Payment
Guaranteed Departures

View our updated Terms and Conditions here

*Domestic/International Airlines may have their own fees. Day tours can be cancelled for a full refund at least 24 hours before tour start time. Multi day tours, treks and tour packages need to be cancelled at least 40 days before departure for full refund.

Please take the time to review all Covid-19 Travel Information before booking.

Ashlar Route - Itinerary

Your adventure begins with pick-up from your hotel in Arequipa at the scheduled time (9:00 AM or 2:00 PM). We’ll head towards the outskirts of the city to the legendary Añashuayco Quarry, a site still active today, where locals work the iconic white sillar stone.

Ashlar Route

Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by the striking view of a giant canyon carved by ancient lava flows and shaped by human hands. Your guide will explain the history of sillar, its importance in Arequipa’s architecture, and the extraction methods that have evolved over the centuries.

You’ll walk along marked trails through the quarry, where you can observe artisans carving and cutting the stone by hand. One of the highlights is the giant sillar sculptures, some over 5 meters tall, crafted as tributes to Peru’s history and culture. These make for incredible photo opportunities.

Next, we travel to the Culebrillas Ravine, a natural canyon formed over thousands of years by flowing water. Upon arrival, we begin a short, easy walk (approx. 20 minutes) into the heart of the ravine. Along the way, your guide will point out ancient petroglyphs, local flora, and geological formations that tell the story of the region’s volcanic past.

The canyon’s narrow walls rise dramatically on both sides, creating a surreal landscape perfect for reflection and photography. After enjoying this unique natural formation, we head back to the vehicle for the return to Arequipa.

You’ll be dropped off at your hotel, filled with new knowledge, stunning photos, and a deeper appreciation for the materials that built the “White City.”