Hiking Tours in Arequipa: The 9 We Recommend

1.From Arequipa: Sillar Route Trek

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 461 reviews · 4 hours · from $12Our pick

Spend four hours exploring Arequipa’s working Añashuayco Quarry, a Church of the Company of Jesus carving, and the narrow Culebrillas Canyon. Guides such as Mike, Jose, Julia, and Alexandra have led recent departures in English and Spanish. Expect short walks, photo stops, a van ride, and 18 soles in entrance fees.

“If you view this activity basically as arranged transport to the three sites then you will not be disappointed. Alexandra our guide gave explanations in both English and Spanish, she did a very good job. I think the yanahara viewpoint could be skipped as a lot of people do this anyway, the sillar quarry was interesting but nothing special, however I really enjoyed the canyon. It’s just a shame it was busy with other tour groups. The transport provided was safe and we stuck to the timings. I booked the day before (on a Sunday) so had my doubts but recieved a text on the Monday at about 8:15 to…”

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2.From Arequipa: 2-Day Colca Canyon Trekking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 243 reviews · 2 days · from $30

You’ll leave Arequipa before dawn, watch condors at Cruz del Cóndor, descend into Colca Canyon, and spend the night at Sangalle Oasis. Guides such as Carlos, Alex, Rafael, and Luigi are praised for local knowledge and steady support. The 24-kilometer route is demanding, with a 1,000-meter climb on day two.

“Fantastic trip ! Amazing scenery and great hike. But definitely make sure you are reasonably fit before the hike - the second day is virtually straight upwards. Fernando our guide was really good, imparting local knowledge and encouragement. As I was struggling on the way up he even gave me his poles ! My advice is to either bring your poles or buy two bamboo sticks when you start the hike.”

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3.2 Day 1 Night Trek / Colca Canyon

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 92 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $124

Trek from Cabanaconde down into Colca Canyon, sleep at Cielo Azul Lodge in Sangalle, then climb out before sunrise. You’ll see Andean condors, terraces, villages, hot springs, and camelids. English or Spanish guiding, meals, transport, and hotel pickup are included. Guide Eveline has earned special praise, but the hike requires solid fitness.

“A couple of us in the group had heat realted sickness at first day of hiking. Our tour guide was super helpful to get us through the day. We chosed the mule ride for the next days's ascending hike. Mule operators did not seem understand that some of us were first time mule/horse riders. My foots was not adjusted to the foot cups before took off. After I screamed the mule guide stopped to put my foots in but he did not audjusted the position of side strips ( I have short legs), so my foots kept coming off the foot cups. My friend with another mule guide had the…”

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4.4 hours Tour: Route of Sillar with Trek in Culebrillas

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 69 reviews · 4h 30m · from $11Best value

Travel from central Arequipa to the Sillar Route, where you’ll see working stone quarries, a carved Church of the Company of Jesus, and ashlar-making techniques. Continue to Culebrillas canyon for a short walk, Wari petroglyphs, and apachetas. A guide speaks English or Spanish, and the tour lasts about four and a half hours.

“Véhicule neuf. La visite a eu lieu seulement en espagnol car le guide anglais était malade. On nous a toutefois offert de reporter, mais nous avions autre chose. Le tour a commencé 30 minutes plus tard et nous n’avons pas eu assez de temps pour apprécier totalement.”

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5.Private 3 Day Colca Canyon Trekking tour (superior Service)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · from $400Top rated

Walk from the Colca Valley into the canyon, sleep in family-run homes, watch condors at Cruz del Condor, relax at Sangalle Oasis, and climb out before dawn. English-speaking guides such as José, Pepe, Miguel, and Jarley lead the trek. Transport is shared, but the hiking group is private, with two to eight participants.

“We had a really nice experience, José (Pepe) is great, you could feel that he's passionate about his job!”

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6.Trekking, Waterfalls and Thermal Baths

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 47 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $62

Leave Arequipa at 8:00 am for a four-hour trek through Capua Canyon, crossing puddles and streams to Capua Waterfall. Afterward, soak in volcanic hot springs, then visit Iglesia de Yura Viejo. Groups are limited to eight, with water, snacks, and hotel pickup included. Guide Pablo has helped make the route feel personal and easy to follow.

“We really enjoyed this hike and our guide, Pablo, was wonderful and very helpful. We were the only ones on the trail which made this feel like we were being shown and unknown locals-only type trail. We walked in our hiking shoes through the river which was unique and pretty fun (be sure to pack some sandals for after!). Pablo did the hike in Tivas/Chacos with a strap, so you've got some options when it comes to footwear. Also, be such to bring sunscreen and bug spray! The waterfall was beautiful and so was the canyon overall. Pablo was really helpful in took lots of photos of us throughout the…”

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7.3-Day Colca Canyon trek with Professional Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 3 days (approx.) · from $98

Trek from Arequipa into Colca Canyon with a professional guide, watching condors at Cruz del Condor, staying two nights in simple lodges, visiting villages, relaxing in Sangalle’s pools, and climbing out before sunrise. Guides such as Marcos, Ghersy, César, and Jonathan are praised for their local knowledge and steady pacing.

“It was really nice to take the 3 days tour, since we could take more time compared with the people doing the 2 days tour. Our guide Markus was really kind and he had lots of knowledge about plants and animals.”

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8.2 Day Trek Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 38 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $179

Leave Arequipa before dawn, cross Chivay, watch condors at Cruz del Condor, and hike down to Sangalle for a basic bungalow stay and warm pool. The next morning brings a steep sunrise climb to Cabanaconde, hot springs near Chivay, and a scenic transfer to Puno. The group is limited to 12.

“Booked this tour online, only to learn on the tour that everybody else just booked at the local office in Arequipa and paid literally LESS THAN HALF of what we did. Viator will not honor their "Lowest Price Guarantee" for various shady reasons (e.g. they do not accept photos of the other participants' tickets as proof because the price is stated in Peruvian Soles... yeah well, of course, they booked locally and paid in the local currency). So, buyers beware: If you absolutely have to book on Viator, make sure to always choose the local currency for payments and be prepared to be massively overcharged.”

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9.From Arequipa Trek : 2-Days of Hiking in the Colca Canyon

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 35 reviews · 2 days · from $21

You’ll hike from San Miguel to San Juan de Chuccho and Sangalle Oasis, then climb out before sunrise. An English or Spanish-speaking guide leads the small group, with condors, Andean terraces, village meals, hot springs, and a 4,190-meter volcano viewpoint along the way. The hike is steep, hot, and best for fit walkers.

“Beautiful hike, but I wasn’t informed well enough how hard it was. Luckily i had the option to take a mule back up the second day. Our guide was great. Overall organization was good, just need to inform better about the difficulty and what to bring. Bring a head light and toilet paper;)”

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