Trekking, Waterfalls and Thermal Baths

Capua Canyon is the star here. You walk through puddles and shallow streams to reach the base of Capua Waterfall, turning the hike into a hands-on outing rather than a simple viewpoint stop. I like the small group limit of eight and the fact that this route can feel quiet and local. If Pablo is your guide, expect helpful photo stops and a snack break at the falls.

I also like the hot-spring finish. After four hours on foot, warm volcanic pools are a sensible reward, not a decorative extra. The catch is that the canyon walk is wet and active, and the thermal-pool admission is not included. Bring footwear you can get wet, a change of clothes, and cash for the 5 to 10 soles entrance fee.

Key points

• Four-hour Capua Canyon trek: Cross puddles and streams on the way to the waterfall base.
• A quiet route near Arequipa: The small group size helps keep the outing personal.
• Volcanic hot springs afterward: Spend about 40 minutes at Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre.
• A village stop with local character: Visit Iglesia de Yura Viejo and learn about the town’s culture and economy.
• Practical extras included: Hotel pickup, bottled water, fruit, cookies, cereal bars, and other snacks.
• Prepare for wet conditions: Hiking shoes, sandals, sunscreen, and insect repellent will make the day easier.

Capua Canyon: a wet walk to a real waterfall

The first major stop takes about four hours, and that time matters. This is not a short stroll from a parking area to a waterfall lookout. You make your way through Capua Canyon, jumping puddles and crossing streams before reaching the base of Capua Waterfall.

That route gives the outing its character. You are not just looking at water from a distance. You are walking through the canyon itself, with your feet sometimes in the stream. It is a playful, active way to see the area, but you should be ready for uneven and wet conditions.

Wear hiking shoes with a firm grip. One useful tip is to bring sandals or another pair of shoes for afterward. A pair of secure Chaco-style sandals worked for the guide Pablo, so you have some flexibility, but ordinary loose flip-flops would be a poor choice for a stream crossing.

The walk is the main physical demand of the day. Four hours can feel long if you rarely hike, especially when the route involves puddles and water. The tour information says most people can participate, but that does not make the trek effortless. You should be comfortable walking for several hours and handling a route that may leave your footwear wet.

Pack sunscreen and insect repellent. The advice is especially useful because these are easy items to overlook when the day begins in the city. Water and snacks are supplied, including bottled water, fruit, cookies, cereal bars, and other small treats, but you should still carry anything else you personally need during a long walk.

The waterfall itself is the payoff. You reach its base rather than simply stopping at a distant overlook, and the canyon adds as much interest as the falling water. If you enjoy places that feel less polished and more connected to the surroundings, this section will likely be your favorite.

A guide can also make a difference here. Pablo is specifically associated with this experience, and his approach included helping with photos and offering snacks once the group reached the waterfall. If he leads your outing, you may appreciate that extra attention, especially if you are traveling alone or want more than a quick snapshot.

Why the small group size matters

The tour accepts a maximum of eight people. That is a useful limit on a route where the group may need to pause for puddles, streams, photos, and changes in footing.

A small group also gives the guide more room to adjust the pace. I would still ask about the walking conditions before setting out if you have knee, ankle, or balance concerns, but eight people is far more manageable than a large coach group on a narrow or wet route.

The experience has a more personal feel than a standard city excursion. The route is focused on a canyon, waterfall, hot springs, and a traditional town rather than a long list of major Arequipa sights. That makes it a good match if you have already seen the city center or want a day outside the usual sightseeing circuit.

There is also a practical advantage to having a guide on this kind of walk. You do not need to work out the route to the waterfall on your own, and you can concentrate on footing, scenery, and the experience. The guide may also take photos, which is useful when the best moments involve both hands and wet ground.

Cooling off at Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre

After the canyon walk, you spend about 40 minutes at Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre. These are volcanic hot springs, and the timing is well chosen. A warm soak after a long, wet trek can be more welcome than another sightseeing stop.

The pools are described as having benefits for bones and skin. Treat that as a traditional feature of the bath experience rather than a medical promise. The main practical value is simple: you get time to rest, warm up, and ease tired muscles before the final stop.

Admission is extra. The entrance fee is reported as roughly 5 to 10 soles, depending on the day, so bring cash. This is a small cost beside the tour price, but it is exactly the sort of detail that can cause trouble if you arrive without local currency.

You should also think ahead about changing clothes. The walk may leave your shoes wet, and a soak is much more pleasant if you have dry clothes available. The supplied snacks and water cover basic refreshment, but they do not replace a towel, swimsuit, or change of clothing. The tour information does not specify which bathing facilities are available, so pack conservatively if you plan to use the pools.

The 40-minute visit is enough for a break, but it is not an all-day spa session. You should see it as a practical recovery stop that adds a local hot-spring experience to the hike. If you dislike public bathing or would rather spend more time at the waterfall, this portion may feel less appealing, though it remains a central part of the day.

Yura Viejo and its traditional church

The final listed stop is Iglesia de Yura Viejo, with about an hour in the traditional town of Yura Viejo. The focus is not only the church building. You are meant to learn about the town’s culture, economy, and local attractions.

That gives the day some balance. Without this stop, the outing would be almost entirely about walking and bathing. The church and town provide a quieter look at local life and help place the natural sites within the wider area around Arequipa.

Do not expect a major museum visit or a long architectural tour based on the information provided. The appeal is the setting and the chance to see a traditional town, not a packed schedule of formal exhibits. I would approach this hour with curiosity and keep your expectations modest.

This is also the least physically demanding part of the day. After the canyon, you can slow down and take in the town at a gentler pace. For people who want some cultural context alongside outdoor activity, that makes the stop worthwhile.

What the $62 price really covers

At $62 per person, the tour offers a full day outside Arequipa with hotel pickup, a guide, bottled water, and snacks. The day lasts about eight hours and 30 minutes, beginning at 8 a.m. and returning to the meeting point at C. Zela 301.

The value depends on what you would otherwise need to arrange. You are combining a guided canyon walk, access to the waterfall route, a hot-spring visit, and a town stop in one outing. The small group cap also gives the experience more care than a basic transfer to a popular site.

The missing entrance fee is minor but worth noting. The hot springs cost about 5 to 10 soles, and that charge is paid separately. The tour price also does not remove the need for personal gear. You still need suitable footwear, sunscreen, insect repellent, and dry clothes.

For a visitor who wants a full day in the Arequipa area without planning each connection, $62 is a reasonable package price. It is less attractive if you mainly want a short waterfall visit or a quick soak. The four-hour trek makes this an active excursion first, with the hot springs and church adding variety.

The included food is basic, not a full meal. Cookies, fruit, cereal bars, and water are useful during the hike, but you should not treat the snack pack as lunch. The supplied details do not list a full meal, so eat a proper breakfast before departure.

Meeting in Arequipa and planning the day

The start point is C. Zela 301 in Arequipa, with an 8 a.m. departure. Hotel pickup is included, but you should confirm the pickup arrangement when booking because the stated meeting point remains the central reference for the activity.

The tour ends back at the meeting point. That makes the outing easier to fit into a broader Arequipa schedule, although eight and a half hours is still a large part of the day. Do not book a tight evening plan unless you have plenty of time for the return.

The meeting point is near public transportation, which gives you another way to reach it if hotel pickup does not apply to your accommodation. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is listed as suitable for most people. Still, the stream crossings and long walk mean you should judge your own comfort honestly.

Weather matters. The experience requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a cancellation with the choice of another date or a full refund. The normal cancellation rule is strict: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. Make sure your plans are firm before paying.

What to pack for Capua and the hot springs

A little preparation will make this day far more comfortable. I would bring:

• Hiking shoes with good grip
• Sandals or a second pair of shoes for after the stream crossings
• Dry clothes
• Swimwear and a towel if you plan to use the pools
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Cash for the thermal-pool admission
• Any personal snacks beyond the supplied food

The footwear advice deserves special attention. The route is wet, and the guide has managed it in strapped sandals, but your best choice depends on how secure you feel on uneven ground. Shoes that stay firmly on your feet are more important than having the most expensive hiking gear.

Water is provided, along with small snacks, so you do not need to carry a full day’s food. I would still bring a small daypack for personal items and spare clothing. Keep anything sensitive to water protected.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would choose this tour if you want an active day outside Arequipa and like the idea of combining nature, bathing, and local culture. It suits people who prefer a small group and a route that is less polished than a standard sightseeing stop.

It is also a good fit for visitors who enjoy variety. You walk through a canyon, reach a waterfall, rest in volcanic pools, and visit a traditional town. No single stop has to carry the whole day.

You may want to choose another activity if you are looking for a relaxed outing with minimal walking. The Capua trek takes four hours and includes puddles and streams. It is not the right pick for anyone who wants to stay dry or avoid uneven ground.

Families and mixed-ability groups should consider the walking conditions carefully. The activity is listed as suitable for most people, but the route still requires stamina and secure footing. A small group can help with pacing, but it cannot turn a wet canyon hike into an easy stroll.

Should you book Trekking, Waterfalls and Thermal Baths?

Book it if you want a full, active day and value an experience that joins Capua Waterfall, volcanic hot springs, and Yura Viejo in one trip. The $62 price is fair for the included pickup, guide, water, snacks, and small group size, especially if arranging the day independently would be difficult.

Go in prepared for wet shoes and a real four-hour walk. Bring cash for the thermal pools, pack sandals and dry clothes, and do not expect a full lunch or a gentle sightseeing schedule. If those conditions sound appealing, this is a practical way to see a quieter side of the Arequipa area.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The activity starts at C. Zela 301, Arequipa 04001, Peru. Hotel pickup is included.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 8:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately eight hours and 30 minutes.

How long is the Capua Canyon trek?

The Capua Waterfall portion takes about four hours.

Is the thermal-pool entrance fee included?

No. Admission to Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre is not included.

How much does the thermal-pool entrance cost?

The fee is reported as about 5 to 10 soles, depending on the day.

What food and drinks are provided?

The tour includes bottled water, fruit, cookies, cereal bars, and other snacks.

How many people can join the tour?

The group has a maximum of eight people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the activity?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.