Trekking, Waterfalls and Thermal Baths

Capua Canyon is the star here. You walk through puddles and shallow streams, sometimes in your hiking shoes, until the canyon opens at the base of Capua Waterfall. It feels more like a local outing than a standard Arequipa bus tour, especially with a group capped at eight people.

I like the unusual river walk, and I like the way the day combines outdoor exercise with a hot soak. Guide Pablo is especially helpful with photos, directions, and a snack stop by the falls. The main drawback is simple: the trek is wet and long, so poor footwear or a dislike of walking for four hours could spoil the fun.

Key points at a glance

• Four hours in Capua Canyon: Expect puddles, streams, and a walk to the waterfall base.
• A small group of up to eight: This makes the outing more personal and easier to manage.
• Guide Pablo helps along the route: He can take photos and provides snacks at the waterfall.
• El Tigre hot springs follow the hike: The volcanic pools offer 40 minutes of warm-water relaxation.
• Yura Viejo adds local character: You spend about an hour seeing the church, town, culture, and local economy.
• Bring cash for the pools: The thermal-bath admission is not included and costs about 5 to 10 soles depending on the day.

Why Capua Canyon makes this day different

Many day trips from Arequipa focus on famous viewpoints, colonial streets, or a long ride into the countryside. This one asks you to use your feet. The route through Capua Canyon is the reason to book it, not simply a way to reach the waterfall.

You make your way through water, jumping puddles and crossing streams on the trek toward Capua Waterfall. That gives the outing a playful quality, but it also changes what you need to pack. This is not a dry promenade where clean shoes and casual clothes will do.

The waterfall itself is the reward at the end of roughly four hours of walking. You reach the base, where the canyon scenery and falling water create a strong picnic-and-photo stop. The route is free of an extra waterfall admission charge, which keeps the tour price straightforward.

I would think of this as a modest adventure rather than a technical hike. The information provided says most people can participate, but the length and wet footing still matter. If you have trouble walking for several hours, or you want an easy sightseeing day, this may not be the right fit.

The four-hour trek to Capua Waterfall

The tour starts at 8:00 am from C. Zela 301 in Arequipa, with hotel pickup included. From there, the main activity is the walk through Capua Canyon. The stated trekking time is four hours, so you should treat this as the day’s physical centerpiece.

The most useful footwear advice comes from the route itself: wear shoes that can handle water. One past participant completed the walk in hiking shoes and went directly through the river, while guide Pablo used strapped sandals. That does not mean you need to copy either choice, but it does show that secure footwear matters more than keeping your feet perfectly dry.

A spare pair of sandals is a smart addition for afterward. Sunscreen and insect repellent are also worth packing, along with clothing that can cope with splashes. The tour includes bottled water, cookies, a cereal bar, and fruit, so you do not need to build a full picnic into your day, though a larger personal snack may suit you if four hours of walking leaves you hungry.

At the waterfall, Pablo provides bagged snacks with fruit, water, candy, and crackers. He also takes photos, a small service that matters when you are walking as a couple or in a tiny group and want pictures without handing your phone to strangers.

The small-group limit helps here. With no more than eight people, you can expect less waiting than on a large coach outing. It should also be easier to keep the group together on a route involving water and uneven ground. Still, the exact pace is not stated, so you should allow the full four hours rather than planning a tight appointment afterward.

What to expect at Capua Waterfall

Capua Waterfall is reached at the end of the canyon walk, not by a short roadside stop. That gives the waterfall more impact because you have worked your way toward it through the stream and canyon.

The route is described as a wonderful trek, but the practical point is that the water is part of the experience. You may be jumping puddles, stepping through streams, and adjusting your footing as you go. I like that this makes the outing feel active and less polished than a typical attraction, but it also means mud, wet shoes, and a bit of physical effort are part of the deal.

The waterfall stop is a good place to slow down. You can eat the supplied snacks, drink water, take photos, and enjoy the canyon before moving on. The tour does not list a separate admission ticket for Capua Waterfall, so there is no extra waterfall fee to add to the advertised $62 price.

Do not expect the waterfall stop to be the whole day. The trek takes most of the outdoor time, and the next stop is designed to help your body recover. That pairing is smart: active morning, warm water afterward.

A hot soak at El Tigre

After the walk, the group spends about 40 minutes at Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre. These are volcanic hot springs, and the pools are presented as a place to refresh after the trek, with traditional claims of benefits for bones and skin.

You should keep the timing in mind. Forty minutes is enough for a comfortable soak, but not an entire spa afternoon. The value comes from the contrast with the canyon walk. After several hours on your feet, warm water can make the day feel far more manageable.

Admission to the thermal pools is not part of the $62 tour price. Bring cash. The entrance is reported as roughly 5 to 10 soles, depending on the day. Since the fee is small, it should not change your decision about the tour, but forgetting cash could create an avoidable nuisance.

The hot springs are a refreshment stop, not a substitute for proper preparation. Bring a swimsuit and anything else you need for the pool, although the supplied information does not specify changing-room arrangements or other facilities. It is best to avoid assuming that this will operate like a full commercial spa.

Yura Viejo and its traditional church

The final planned stop is Iglesia de Yura Viejo, with about one hour in the traditional town of Yura Viejo. This gives the day a cultural finish instead of making it only a hike followed by a bath.

The visit is meant to introduce you to the church, local culture, economy, and nearby attractions. Those are broad themes rather than a detailed guided program, so the stop is likely most useful for people who enjoy seeing how a smaller town fits into the region around Arequipa.

I like the order of the stops. You first spend your energy outdoors, then relax in the hot springs, and finally have a slower look at a local town. The church visit also gives you something to remember beyond the waterfall itself.

Do not expect a large museum program or a long architectural tour. The supplied details only promise a visit to the church and an introduction to the town. Think of it as a short cultural stop that adds context to the countryside outing.

Is $62 a fair price?

At $62 per person, this tour is not the cheapest way to spend a day around Arequipa, but the price includes several useful pieces: hotel pickup, bottled water, snacks, the guide, the canyon outing, the waterfall visit, the hot-springs stop, and the Yura Viejo visit.

The group limit is important when judging value. A maximum of eight people is a much more intimate setup than a large sightseeing bus. It also makes guide attention, group timing, and photo help more practical.

The price does not cover the thermal-pool admission, so add roughly 5 to 10 soles in cash. That is a minor extra, but the tour should be compared honestly with alternatives that may bundle every fee.

I see the best value here for someone who wants three different experiences in one day: a wet canyon hike, a volcanic hot spring, and a small-town cultural visit. If you only want a waterfall photo, $62 may feel high because the walk is the main reason for the cost. If you value a full day with transport, a guide, refreshments, and a small group, the package is more convincing.

Practical preparation for the morning start

The meeting point is C. Zela 301 in Arequipa, and hotel pickup is included. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so you can plan around a return to central Arequipa rather than arranging a separate ride from the final stop.

Wear secure footwear with a good grip. Hiking shoes can work even when they get wet, and strapped sandals are another option, but loose flip-flops would be a poor choice for streams and puddles. Pack spare footwear or dry socks for the later part of the day.

Your basic kit should include:

• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Water-friendly footwear
• A change of socks or sandals
• Cash for the thermal pools
• Swimwear for the hot springs

The tour includes water and small snacks, but you should still bring anything you personally need during a four-hour walk. Service animals are allowed, the tour is near public transportation, and the information says most people can participate. Those points are useful, but they do not remove the need to judge your own comfort with wet, extended walking.

The experience depends on good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The normal cancellation policy is strict: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons, so check your schedule carefully before booking.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want an active day away from Arequipa’s central streets and prefer a small group to a large coach. It suits people who like a little mess, a little effort, and a clear reward at the end.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy variety. The waterfall gives you the physical challenge, the hot springs provide recovery time, and Yura Viejo adds a local and cultural angle. Guide Pablo’s help with photos and snacks makes the day easier, especially if you are traveling as a pair.

You should think twice if you dislike getting your feet wet, need a very gentle walking route, or want a carefully timed luxury outing. The four-hour trek is not a minor prelude. It is the core of the day.

The small group does not guarantee a private tour, since the maximum is eight, but it should feel more personal than a large excursion. You can expect an outing built around direct participation rather than passive sightseeing.

Should you book the Capua Canyon day?

Book it if you want an off-the-main-route Arequipa experience with real walking, a waterfall reached through streams, and a hot spring soak afterward. The combination is unusual, and the $62 price is reasonable when you use the included pickup, guide, refreshments, and small-group format.

Skip it if you want dry shoes, a short walk, or a day with no physical demands. Bring cash for the thermal pools, sunscreen, insect repellent, and footwear that can get wet. With those details handled, this is a lively, practical way to see a different side of the Arequipa area.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at C. Zela 301, Arequipa 04001, Peru, at 8:00 am. Hotel pickup is included.

How long does the experience last?

The full activity lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes. The Capua Canyon trek takes about four hours, the thermal-bath stop lasts about 40 minutes, and the Yura Viejo visit takes about one hour.

Is admission to the thermal pools included?

No. Admission to Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre is not included. Bring cash, as the entrance costs about 5 to 10 soles depending on the day.

How many people can join the tour?

The group has a maximum of eight people.

Does the tour include food and water?

Yes. The tour includes bottled water, cookies, a cereal bar, and fruit. Snacks are also provided at the waterfall stop.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.