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Sillar Routes: Quarries of Volcanic Stone Origin

Arequipa, Peru

Rutas del Sillar: Stone quarries of volcanic origin

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About the Route of the Sillar

The Sillar Route consists of a tour of 3 large quarries where the sillar (stone of volcanic origin) is extracted. The quarries that are visited in this route are: Añashuayco, Cortadores and Culebrillas, which have an extension of 2 km long in total.

The tour begins with the Añashuayco quarry, where you will appreciate an immense canyon with rock formations of great height, in addition to an immense sillar sculpture in motion to the Church of the Campiña de Jesus in Arequipa, among other sculptures, made by the same quarrymen (sillar sculptors).

After the tour of the Añashuayco Quarry, you will visit the Cutters Quarry, where you will also observe immense rock formations and other sculptures and, in addition, you will be able to observe a demonstration of how they extract the ashlar and how they turn the ashlar into different artistic and utilitarian sculptures.

Many of the sculptures that you will find in the Sillar Route are of animals of the area and objects and images that represent the culture and history of Arequipa and Peru.

Finally, you will visit the Quarry of Quebrada de Culebrillas. One of the many peculiarities of this quarry is its pink color, which originates from the combination of sand, rock, ashlar and sunlight, you can also observe petroglyphs of the Pre-Inca Wari Culture.

In short, it is an adventure experience like India Jones and you can observe gorges that will remind you of Petra in Jordan.

Cantera Cortadores, Arequipa - Peru

Sculpture of the Church Campiña de Jesús, Quarry of Añashuayco – Arequipa

Cortadores Quarry, Arequipa

Cortadores Quarry, Arequipa

Petroglyph of the Pre-Inca Wari Culture, Quarry Quebrada de Culebrillas - Arequipa

Petroglyph of the Pre-Inca Wari Culture, Quarry Quebrada de Culebrillas – Arequipa

At what altitude are the quarries of the Sillar Route in Arequipa?

The quarries of the Sillar Route are located at 2,400 meters above sea level.

What is the best season to visit the Sillar Route in Arequipa?

The best season to visit the Sillar Route and in general all Arequipa is from April to December, since it does not rain much and the days are clear and warm, between 10°C to 23°C.

On the other hand, if you decide to visit Arequipa in other months of the year you should take your precautions since from January to March the days are more rainy and cloudy and you may not be able to appreciate many of its landscapes in its maximum splendor. Although, you will be able to find low prices on tours, accommodations and restaurants . In this case, I suggest that you visit the tourist sites after 10:00 am so that the skies clear and you can enjoy your stay in Arequipa.

What is the best time to visit the quarries of the Sillar Route in Arequipa?

If you are looking for less travelers and to be able to take photos and videos quietly, I suggest that you visit the quarries from 8:00 am since the tours begin to arrive at 10:30 am or from 3:00 pm since at that time the travelers are already halfway through the tour.

Demonstration of the stonemasons - Arequipa

Demonstration of the stonemasons – Arequipa

Sculpture of the Church Campiña de Jesús, Quarry of Añashuayco - Arequipa

Sculpture of the Church Campiña de Jesús, Quarry of Añashuayco – Arequipa

Añashuayco Quarry Sculpture - Arequipa

Añashuayco Quarry Sculpture – Arequipa

How to get to the quarries of the Sillar Route in Arequipa?

  • By car

Traveling with your car on the road is the most convenient option if you want to have privacy and travel alone with your family, in case you do not have a car a good option is to rentone and reach the quarries of the Sillar Route quietly, you can also reach several tourist destinations in Arequipa by road, so you would save on tourist service.

The route from the city of Arequipa to the Ruta del Sillar is not dangerous or winding because 100% of the road is paved, remember that the city of Arequipa is quite modern so its roads and tracks reflect the same.

From the city of Arequipa to the quarries of the Ruta del Sillar in Cerro Colorado, by private road. 12.7 km and you will arrive at the parking lot of the Ruta del Sillar in about 30 minutes. The cost of parking is included in your entrance ticket.

  • By cab

You can take a cab to the Sillar Route, if you take it from the Main Square of Arequipa or its surroundings the cost of the trip is between S/. 25 to 30 soles (USD 7 to 8 dollars), if you go in a group you can share the expenses. It is not necessary for the cab driver to wait for you to make the trip from the Ruta del Sillar since you can take a cab back at the “Ruta del Sillar” bus stop.

  • By public transportation

From the city of Arequipa you can take a bus (lead and white color) in Puente Grau Street (3 minutes walk from the Plaza de Armas of Arequipa) that will take you to the bus stop Puente Añashuayco in 35 minutes approximately, the ticket price is S/.1 sol (USD 0.20 dollar) per person, remember that you must ask to get off at the mentioned bus stop.

Once at the bus stop of the Añashuayco Bridge you must take a bus known as“Altomayo” (it has a lead or gray color) and ask to get off at the bus stop “Ruta del Sillar”, the cost of the ticket is S/.1 sol (USD 0.20) per person and the trip lasts 15 minutes approximately (you will see a big white sign that says “Welcome to the Sillar Route”).

From the bus stop “la Ruta del Sillar” you will walk 15 minutes approximately to the ticket office of the entrance of the Sillar Route, remember to follow the signs that direct you to the entrance, I suggest you to follow all the roads on the left of the route, the roads on the right are normally used by the workers of the quarries and not for the visitors.

  • By tourist agency

You can hire a full day tour to the Sillar Route. The cost of the tour ranges from S/. 30 to 40 soles ( USD 8 to 10 dollars) per person.

How long is the full day tour to the Sillar Route in Arequipa?

The 1 day (full day) tour to the Sillar Route has a duration of 5 to 6 hours, the tour starts at 10:00 am and ends at 3:00 pm approximately. There are no stops for lunch, so I suggest you bring some snacks and a bottle of water.

Cantera Cortadores - Arequipa

Cantera Cortadores – Arequipa

Sillar Route - Arequipa

Sillar Route – Arequipa

Quarry Quebrado Culebrillas in Arequipa

Quarry Quebrado Culebrillas in Arequipa

What to expect and how to prepare for the quarries of the Sillar Route in Arequipa?

Wear a cap or wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as the sun is intense.

Wear appropriate shoes, preferably special for hiking, as the terrain is rugged, rocky and you will have to climb on rocks to reach a certain level of height, especially in the Quarries of Culebrillas.

Follow the pre-established paths and listen to the suggestions of your guide.

Try not to carry much weight and be light as the path is moderately complex and this can affect your physical endurance.

Bring a bottle of water and snacks, if you go with a tour remember that they do not stop for lunch.

Carry coins and bills in SOLES, preferably coins, as you will have to pay S/. 5 and 3 soles (USD 2 dollars) per adult to access all areas of the quarries of the Ruta del Sillar, you will also find craft stalls made of sillar that only receive cash.

It is suitable for children over 4 years old and older adults, the route is not so complicated to do.

They have a parking area that is included in your entrance ticket.

Address: Canteras Añashuayco, Cerro Colorado 04017, Peru.

Entrance hours

From 8:00 to 4:30 pm

Entrance fee

S/. 5 soles (USD 1 dollar) per adult (national and foreigner) first zone

S/. 3 soles (USD 0.50 dollar) per adult (national and foreigner) second zone