Trekking, Waterfalls and Thermal Baths

Capua rewards curious walkers. This Arequipa day trip combines a four-hour canyon hike with river crossings, a waterfall, volcanic hot springs, and a quiet stop in Yura Viejo. I like the small group size, capped at eight, and the local feel of a route that can leave you alone on the trail. The main catch is simple: the walk is active, and the thermal pool entrance fee is extra.

I also like the thoughtful basics, including hotel pickup, bottled water, fruit, cookies, and a cereal bar. Guide Pablo has earned praise for helping with photos and keeping the hike comfortable. Bring sunscreen, bug spray, and sandals for afterward, since your hiking shoes may get wet.

Key points to know before booking

• Capua Canyon includes water crossings: Expect puddles, streams, and sections where you walk through the river to reach the waterfall.
• The hike takes about four hours: This is the main event, not a short scenic stroll.
• The group is limited to eight people: That suits anyone who prefers a quieter outing and more direct contact with the guide.
• El Tigre hot springs are volcanic: The 40-minute soak offers a welcome rest after the canyon walk.
• Bring cash for the thermal pools: Admission is not included and may cost about 5 to 10 soles, depending on the day.
• The trip returns to central Arequipa: Pickup and drop-off are at C. Zela 301, with an 8:00 am start.

Why Capua Canyon is the heart of the day

If you want more than Arequipa’s familiar city sights, Capua Canyon gives you a different kind of outing. The route follows water through the canyon, with puddles and streams between you and the base of Capua Waterfall. The appeal is not only the waterfall itself. The walk lets you experience the canyon at ground level, step by step, rather than simply stopping at a lookout.

The four-hour trek requires a reasonable level of fitness. You will be walking for a long stretch, and the route includes wet footing. This is not the place for polished city shoes or footwear you want to keep spotless. A pair of hiking shoes is the sensible choice, but sandals with a secure strap can also work. A past participant specifically noted walking through the river in hiking shoes, while guide Pablo managed the route in strapped sandals.

That detail is useful, but I would not take it as a reason to wear flimsy footwear. Your shoes should stay firmly on your feet, especially around water and uneven ground. Pack dry sandals for the later part of the day, or at least a change of shoes if you dislike sitting in damp footwear.

The canyon itself is part of the reward. The route has the feel of a less polished outing, with water, rock, and a more natural setting. You are not simply being driven from one viewpoint to another. You have to make your way through the terrain, which makes the waterfall feel earned.

Capua Waterfall is reached at the end of the main walk. The stop gives you time to enjoy the water and canyon around it, and the included snacks are especially welcome after several hours on foot. Expect fruit, cookies, a cereal bar, and bottled water. The supplies are modest, but they make a real difference when you are out on a long morning trek.

What the small group changes

The tour allows a maximum of eight people. That number matters on a route involving puddles and streams. A smaller group can move at a more comfortable pace, and it is easier to hear the guide without a large crowd spreading through the canyon.

The experience also has a more personal character than a standard city excursion. Pablo, one of the guides associated with the tour, has been praised for being helpful and for taking plenty of photos along the way. If you like having a few trip pictures without constantly stopping to manage your own camera, that is a useful touch.

A small group does not turn the outing into a private tour, so your pace still needs to suit the group as a whole. Still, the eight-person limit keeps the activity from feeling like a procession. It also fits the route’s quieter character.

You should bring sunscreen and bug spray. These are easy items to forget when the day begins in town, but the walk takes you outdoors for hours. Water is provided, though bringing extra water may be sensible if you normally drink a lot during exercise. The supplied details confirm bottled water, snacks, and pickup, but they do not specify additional equipment, so you should arrive ready for a wet and active route.

The 40-minute soak at El Tigre

After the canyon walk, the stop at Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre gives your legs a chance to rest. These are hot springs of volcanic origin, and the pools are described as having qualities associated with relief for bones and skin. It is best to treat that as a pleasant bathing tradition rather than a medical promise.

The timing is well judged. Forty minutes is long enough to sit in the warm water and recover without turning the entire day into a spa visit. The contrast between the physical hike and the hot pools is one of the tour’s strongest features.

Admission to the pools is not included in the $62 price. Bring cash, since the cost has been reported at about 5 to 10 soles depending on the day. The exact amount can change, so keep a little extra on hand rather than arriving with the minimum.

You should also plan your clothing with this stop in mind. The tour information confirms access to the thermal pools, but it does not state that towels or swimwear are provided. Pack what you need for bathing, and remember that wet hiking shoes are not comfortable for the ride or return journey. A spare pair of sandals is one of the smartest items in your bag.

The thermal stop is more than a bonus, but it is not the main reason to book. If you want a full day of soaking with only a little walking, this is the wrong outing. The hike takes most of the time, while the pools provide a shorter recovery period afterward.

A quiet look at Yura Viejo

The final planned stop is Iglesia de Yura Viejo, reached through the traditional town of Yura Viejo. You spend about an hour here, learning about the church, local culture, economy, and nearby attractions.

This stop gives the day some human context. Capua Canyon and El Tigre focus on nature and physical activity, while Yura Viejo lets you see how a traditional town fits into the area. The church is the main named sight, but the visit is also about the town itself.

You should keep your expectations measured. The information does not promise a large museum visit, a long guided tour of historic buildings, or a full program of cultural performances. Instead, this is a chance to pass through the town and understand more about its character. For many people, that balance is better than spending every hour at a major attraction.

The one-hour stop also keeps the schedule varied. After walking and bathing, you get a slower section before returning to Arequipa. If your interest is mainly hiking, you may see Yura Viejo as a pleasant extra rather than the central reason to choose the tour.

Is $62 a good value?

At $62 per person, the tour offers an eight-and-a-half-hour day with hotel pickup, a four-hour trek, thermal pools, a town visit, snacks, and bottled water. The group size is limited to eight, which strengthens the value for anyone who dislikes crowded excursions.

The price does not cover the thermal pool entrance. At roughly 5 to 10 soles, that is not a major extra, but it should be part of your budget. You also need to account for your own suitable shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, and bathing items.

The value depends on what you want from a day outside Arequipa. You are paying for access to a route that feels less common, a guide, transport arrangements from the meeting point, and a full schedule that mixes walking, bathing, and local culture. You are not paying for luxury facilities or a slow, comfortable sightseeing ride.

I consider the price fair for active visitors who will use the whole day. It is less attractive if you dislike wet trails, have no interest in hot springs, or want a short excursion with little exertion. The trip earns its price through variety and the small group rather than through expensive included attractions.

The 94 percent recommendation rate and 4.7 rating from 47 reviews suggest strong satisfaction, but the details matter more than the numbers. The praise centers on the route, the peaceful trail, the guide’s help, the waterfall, and the snacks. Those are the features to value when deciding.

Timing, pickup, and practical planning

The day begins at 8:00 am at C. Zela 301 in Arequipa, postal code 04001. The activity finishes back at that same meeting point. Pickup from your hotel is included, but you should confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking rather than assume a door-to-door time.

The total duration is about eight hours and 30 minutes. The listed stops account for roughly five hours and 40 minutes, including four hours at Capua Canyon, 40 minutes at the thermal pools, and one hour in Yura Viejo. The remaining time is used for transport, transitions, and the day’s practical pauses.

That makes this a substantial outing. Do not schedule a tight evening commitment unless you are comfortable with the possibility of a long day. The trip requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to cancellation, with the choice of a different date or a full refund.

The general participation note says most people can take part, but the four-hour trek remains the key test. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting area is near public transportation. The small group limit helps, but it does not remove the need for steady walking and care around wet ground.

The cancellation rule is strict. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons after booking. Since weather is important, check the forecast before committing and understand the provider’s weather exception.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend this tour to you if you enjoy active days, natural scenery, and smaller local experiences. It suits people who would rather walk through a canyon than spend the day moving between heavily visited city sights.

It is also a good fit if you like variety. In one day, you get a waterfall, a wet canyon route, hot springs, and a traditional town church. Each stop has a different pace, so the outing does not feel like four versions of the same attraction.

You should think twice if you want a dry, easy walk. The water crossings are not a minor detail. They are part of the route, and your footwear may become wet. Anyone with concerns about a four-hour hike should ask the provider for current route details before booking, since the supplied information does not describe the exact difficulty level.

Families and mixed-age groups may need to judge the walk carefully. The general information says most people can participate, but it does not give a minimum age or specific accessibility details. The group size and guide support are helpful, yet the canyon conditions remain the deciding factor.

This is also a good choice for people who appreciate practical guiding rather than grand presentation. Pablo’s help with photos and the simple snack stop add warmth to the day without turning it into a formal production.

What to pack for Capua and El Tigre

Keep your bag light, but do not leave out the basics. I would bring:

• Secure hiking shoes or strapped sandals suitable for wet ground
• Dry sandals or a change of shoes for after the walk
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Swimwear and any towel you need for the thermal pools
• Cash for the 5 to 10 sole pool admission
• A small bag to separate wet items
• Extra water if you normally need more than the supplied bottle

Snacks and bottled water are included, so you do not need to plan a full picnic. Still, the walk lasts four hours, and anyone with a large appetite may prefer to carry an extra snack.

Should you book the Capua waterfall tour?

Book it if you want an active, good-value day that reaches beyond Arequipa’s standard sightseeing circuit. The combination of Capua Canyon, a waterfall, El Tigre’s volcanic pools, and Yura Viejo gives you a varied experience for $62, with pickup, snacks, water, and a group capped at eight.

Skip it if you want a relaxed coach ride, dislike walking through streams, or need a flexible cancellation policy. The thermal entrance fee is small, but it is not included, and the weather-dependent route requires sensible planning.

For the right person, this is a rewarding way to see a quieter side of the Arequipa area. Pack for wet feet, bring cash, listen to your guide, and leave room in your schedule for a full day.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The tour costs $62 per person.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours and 30 minutes.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:00 am.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is C. Zela 301, Arequipa 04001, Peru.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup from your hotel is included.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes cookies, a cereal bar, fruit, bottled water, and hotel pickup.

Is admission to the thermal pools included?

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

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of eight travelers.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

Because the experience requires good weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund if it is canceled due to poor weather.