Top Arequipa Archaeology Tours

Explore the Sillar Route on this half-day tour from Arequipa. We begin with pickup from your hotel at 8:50 a.m. to visit a viewpoint overlooking the Misti and Chachani volcanoes. Then, you'll learn about the Añashuayco Quarry and the artisanal sillar process. We continue to the Quebrada de Culebrillas, a natural canyon with petroglyphs and impressive formations. We return to the city around 1:00 p.m. Book with us and enjoy small groups, expert local guides, and punctual, personalized service.

Likened to Petra in Jordan, the Sillar Route is an immense ashlar quarry that draws far fewer crowds than other ancient attractions in Peru—guaranteeing a more relaxed experience of the monument. This small-group tour helps you go beyond the guidebook and discover petroglyphs and stonemasonry techniques that you won’t find elsewhere.

Experience the thrill of white-water rafting without venturing far from the city. This Chili River rafting experience includes pickup from your Arequipa hotel and takes you paddling through exciting Class II and III rapids surrounded by dramatic scenery. Perfect for travelers seeking an accessible outdoor adventure with all logistics handled.

The tour combines history, culture and unique landscapes of Arequipa in one experience. Unlike other tours, you can get up close and personal with the real work of the master stonemasons in the Canteras de Añashuayco, walk along the impressive Quebrada de Culebrillas and enjoy panoramic views from the most emblematic viewpoints of the city. In addition, it has modern and comfortable buses, and a team of professionals committed to providing you with a safe, timely and excellent quality service. An ideal experience to discover the authentic essence of the “White City”.

If you've got limited time in Peru's White City, check off as many of Arequipa's historical sights and attractions as you can on a half-day sightseeing tour. Stay cool and cover more attractions as you travel via air-conditioned coach to viewpoints such as the Mirador de Yanahuara and through colonial districts including Yanaahuara and St Lazarus. Plus, visit the Monastery of St Catherine, which was closed to the public for almost 400 years.

Visit the beautiful historic center of the city of Arequipa, and uncover its historical buildings and imposing colonial churches and mansions. This walking tour will lead you to discover this impressive city, which holds much history, culture, and one of Peru`s finest cuisines. Explore the Andean Sanctuaries Museum at the Catholic University of Santa María, and be amazed by its incredible collection of mummies, as well as their pristine state of preservation.

Discover the heart of Arequipa on this immersive walking tour. We begin at the vibrant San Camilo Market, a colorful hub of daily life filled with local products, flavors, and traditions. Then, stroll through charming streets toward the Main Square, where your guide will share the rich history of one of Peru’s most beautiful plazas. Visit the ornate Church and Cloister of La Compañía de Jesús, home to the stunning Saint Ignacio Cupola, a masterpiece of colonial art. Continue to a 17th-century tambo, a traditional communal housing complex that reveals the city’s colonial past. Finally, explore the breathtaking Santa Catalina Monastery, a city within the city, with over 300 years of fascinating history. Your guide will assist with your entry before bidding you farewell.

The Sillar Route is a guided tour to learn about the history of the white city named after the color of the white ashlar There we can have an experience with the artisans, observe how it is the extraction of the ashlar in an artisanal way, the carving to obtain the specific block for the constructions of the houses and buildings of the city. Plus a short walk through the shingles canyon is pretty comfortable. The tour differs because there we will visit the workshops of artisans, and learn the techniques of carving volcanic rock ashlar.

On the way to the Sillar Route where you will visit quarries and areas where the ashlar originated, we will visit the Añashuayco Quarry; in the place we can appreciate an immense canyon with skylights that are several meters high, formed by extraction for the formation of the Sillares, you can appreciate a Mega-carving of the Church of the Society of Jesus made by the stonemasons themselves. We can also visit one of them so that they can explain how their daily work is and make us experiment by cutting one of their stone blocks ourselves then we will move to the Quebrada de Culesbrillas, At this point we will do a walk of approximately 20 minutes inside the small canyon that was formed by the passage of water At the end of the walk we can observe petroglyphs made by the Wari culture more than a thousand years ago. Remember that in the beginning we visited the Mirador de Yanahuara.

Let your spirit soar like the Andean condor on this full-day exploration of Colca Canyon. Stop by the ‘Condor’s Cross,’ near one of the canyon’s deepest points, to watch these majestic birds as they appear to float on the wind. Continue to traditional towns like Maca and Yanque where you’ll observe colonial-era churches and locals garbed in needlework dresses. Finish your trip on a high point as you return through 16,000-foot (4900-meter) Patapampa pass. A guide, breakfast and round-trip hotel transport are also covered.

Experience the dramatic views and local bird life of the Colca Canyon without needing to stay there overnight on this small-group tour from Arequipa. Leave early in the morning to drive up into the mountains, arriving in the Chivay for breakfast, before continuing to the canyon. Watch condors circle from the Mirador de la Cruz del Cóndor before driving back, via the regional high point of Patapampa.

Explore the sublime surroundings of Arequipa on a half-day private tour of the lush countryside. Gain insight into the region’s agricultural history with a private guide; visit the distinct farming terraces of Paucarpata; and tour a grand colonial home belonging to the founder of Arequipa. Transportation in a comfortable and air-conditioned minivan is provided for your convenience.

Get the best bites in town on this tour of local restaurants in Arequipa. Visit four restaurants to experience the rich flavors of Peru. Sample tasting plates at each eatery accompanied by matching drinks, and top it all off with dessert. Learn about the local cuisine of Peru from your guide and get local recommendations for the best spots in town.

Discover the world’s second deepest canyon, the Colca Canyon, on an overnight trip from Arequipa. Stop at traditional villages in the Colca Valley to get to know the people and their culture. Learn about the flora and fauna of the Andes, including the giant Andean condor, go horseback riding in the countryside and take in the views of the mountains and scenery.

Want to see the Colca Canyon but don't want to hike? On this 2-day tour from Arequipa, enjoy the beauty of the canyon (this top hiking destination is sometimes called the Grand Canyon of Peru) without hitting the trail. Highlights include visiting a natural reserve to see groups of vicuña (the wild relative of the alpaca), stopping for Andean views, experiencing small traditional villages, bird watching at a viewpoint frequented by Andean condors, and soaking in natural thermal baths.

Swap the city for the sweeping landscapes of the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world, on a full-day tour from Arequipa. Enjoy included hotel pickup, transportation, and meals while soaking up scenery of traditional towns and towering mountains without the hassle of navigating public transport.

Know this incredible and beautiful city full of stories and legends. Let yourself be captivated by its charms and its marvelous people. Discover the charm of its streets and its architecture.

Train trip Vistadome Observatory from Cusco to Puno Enjoy an unforgettable train trip from Cusco to Puno, crossing the impressive landscapes of the Peruvian Andes. During the tour, contemplate mountains, valleys, traditional towns, and the majestic altiplano from the wide panoramic windows of the Vistadome Observatory train. The experience includes access to the observatory car, where you can enjoy spectacular views and capture photographs of the Andean landscape. Experience a combination of nature, culture, and comfort while traveling along one of the most beautiful railway routes in Peru, until you reach the city of Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Book your trip and discover the Peruvian Andes from a unique perspective.

Make your transfer from Arequipa to Puno an interesting one with this 2-day tour to Colca Canyon. Head to Chivay where you visit a vicuña reserve, an Andes viewpoint, and an optional visit to the hot springs. On day 2, head to the Colca Canyon to observe its great depth as well as the Andean condors that call it home before heading to Puno on the banks of Lake Titicaca.

The Colca Canyon Tour is a unique experience that combines stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and nature at its finest. It is one of the deepest canyons in the world, where you can admire the majestic flight of the Andean condor, a symbol of the Andes. Along the way, visitors discover traditional villages, pre-Incan agricultural terraces, and natural hot springs surrounded by mountains. Furthermore, the warmth of its people, ancestral customs, and panoramic views of the valley make this tour an unforgettable adventure, perfect for those seeking beauty, history, and a connection with nature.

Add some adventure to your journey from Arequipa to Puno on a day tour of the Colca Canyon. This hassle-free excursion is perfect for travelers who want to experience the best of Peru but are on a tight schedule and budget. In addition to exploring the canyon, itinerary highlights include Condor's Cross, the Chacapi hot springs (own expense), and Pampa Canahuas National Reserve.

* Would you like to discover why Arequipa is the white city? Let's go to explore the origin definitely the ''sillar route'' La Ruta de Sillar is the best option. * After having visited the ''Sillar Route'' you will understand why the buildings of their houses and monuments that characterize and make it unique.

The Sillar Route is an immense ashlar quarry (a stone of volcanic origin), which forms spectacular gorges, similar to those of Petra in Jordan. You can also see petroglyphs and appreciate the way the stones are extracted.