Sillar Route in Arequipa: Uncover the Architectural Heart of the White City

Explore the architectural heart of Arequipa on the Sillar Route. Discover the origins of the White City’s unique ashlar architecture and witness the process of extraction and styling of the ashlar.

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Canteras de sillar Añashuayco - You can see the murals where the ashlar is carved in an artisanal way, also the routine performed by the workers in the area.

You will also know the shingles cannon, a small pink ashlar cannon, formed naturally.

What's Included
  • Touristic transport included
  • Guided tour with a professional guide
What's Not Included
  • TICKET ENTRANCE 3 DOLLARS
Additional Information

The genesis of the architectural design in the White City lies in ashlar, and its sightseeing route is established in the district of Cerro Colorado. Apart from the area’s natural beauty, the extraction, shaping, and detailed carving of ashlar can also be witnessed.

The location is well-equipped with the necessary infrastructure and services for tourists, including workshops for interpretation supported by local ashlar carvers, areas for informational displays, signs for tourism, parking areas, and areas where visitors can purchase ashlar crafts and rest.

The ashlar route’s management is under the control of the Sillar Cutters Network - Arequipa. The route presently spans 2,000 meters, encompassing the active quarries of Añashuayco, Cortadores, and the untouched quarry of Culebrillas.

Location
Plaza de Armas
Exactly at the fountain with water from the main square located in the middle of the square.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.1
(48 Ratings)
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36bryced
Sep 8, 2024
Decent Half Day Adventure - Tour is exactly how it’s advertised! Very easy to get around and tour guides were nice. Nice trip if you only want to do a half day excursion.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vavalos20
Jun 15, 2024
Ruta Tour - Truly enjoyed this tour! It was nice that it was a 9am-2pm tour, not too early or late and not too long. At the end, they also give us the option to drop off at some local Peruvian food spots which was nice! The only complaint was the tour guide Cristina’s approach. She was a little pushy, a little rude and stand off is, passive aggressive. She kept almost scolding the group saying we weren’t listening and upset if we didn’t remember a specific fact when she did a pop quiz on us. She kept complaining about us to the driver saying kids were easier to deal with. At one point she even said under her breath, thanks for finally being obedient. She also appeared bothered when a couple would ask if they could take pictures at some spots. She mentioned at the beginning we’d have a stop for the bathroom/snack/etc. but we never stopped. Then we get to our first stop and she got upset that people had to use the restroom. She started to murmur under her breath and rushing us that we needed to start walking. The tour itself is so so nice!! Maybe just a different tour guide or Cristina works on her approach a little more.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Xbtb4dpnqt
May 15, 2024
Amazing experience - Going through the Sillar route was amazing! And loved all the statues. Loved the queso helado although it was extra. Very good tour for the price and our tour guide Betsey was wonderful!
Review provided by Viator
203albertol
Aug 6, 2024
Nice and interesting - The Guide very burns but the explanation on the Tripadvisor page does not correspond to what was visited requires physical good and not suitable for older adults
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brunov874
Jul 28, 2024
Worth it on bus tour or private car (if you know the way) - Interesting visit, but we went by private car. You have to pay a ticket (I think it was 5 soles). There is a set of monuments elaborated in ashlar and explains how the ashlar was formed. Then you have to go a couple of kilometers further for the Shingles, where you walk along what was a pre-Inca road, with petroglyphs.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Luisa
Jul 25, 2024
Visit to Culebrillas - They must indicate on the tour to Culebrillas that you have to climb a slope of grit that is a little difficult and dangerous. There's nowhere to hold on and falling can be fatal. The place is beautiful
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tschepe
Jun 5, 2024
Extraordinary natural art - A beautiful and interesting journey into an unusual landscape, artfully shaped by nature and human hands.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mawiee003
Jan 12, 2024
Fun day - 4 out of 5 good short trip canyon walking was my favorite part need to be some what's physically fit as terrain is uneven and walking up hill to exit. You have to pay 3 soles extra for certain areas and they have little table with things for sale. Sunglasses and hat a must
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rmqr
Sep 10, 2024
Nice walk in a canyon, less interested in contemporary sculptures - Nice geological formations in a canyon of volcanic stone. However mind the mosquitoes and the walk is quite short. This tour will not include much ancient civilization history, and focuses rather on modern art sculptures made out of volcanic rocks.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Scenic546834
Dec 14, 2023
Paid but didn’t get to go. - Signed up for tour on Thursday afternoon, didn’t hear anything from tour people until Sat afternoon. In the meantime I figured something had gone wrong with my request as there had been some wifi troubles. I didn’t hear anything till Sunday am because Sat I was on another tour, no internet. I informed the woman that I had made other plans and wanted a refund. She told me I could only get a refund through the TA website knowing by then it was too late. So no not recommending this.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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