Trekking, Waterfalls and Thermal Baths

Capua Canyon is the star here: you walk through puddles and shallow streams to reach the base of a waterfall, rather than simply stepping off a bus at a viewpoint. I like the small maximum group of eight, which should make the hike easier to manage, and I like the useful finish at volcanic hot springs after four hours on the trail.

The main catch is wet feet. You will need footwear that can handle water, and the thermal pool entrance costs extra, usually 5 to 10 soles according to the available trip details. This is a better choice for active visitors than for anyone seeking a gentle sightseeing day.

Key points to know before booking

• Four-hour Capua Canyon trek: Expect puddles, streams, and a walk to the foot of Capua Waterfall.
• Water-friendly footwear matters: Hiking shoes worked for one visitor, while sandals with a secure strap are another option.
• Small-group setting: The tour accepts no more than eight people, allowing for a more personal outing.
• Hot springs after the hike: El Tigre’s volcanic pools offer a warm break, but the entry fee is not included.
• Local stop in Yura Viejo: You have about an hour to see the traditional town, church, local culture, and economy.
• Simple comforts included: Hotel pickup, bottled water, fruit, cookies, cereal bars, and other snacks are provided.

Why this Arequipa day trip feels different

Many day trips around Arequipa focus on grand viewpoints, colonial buildings, or long drives through open country. This one asks you to get your shoes wet. The route through Capua Canyon is the reason to book it, since the walk itself is part of the attraction rather than just a way to reach a photo stop.

You follow puddles and streams toward the base of Capua Waterfall. That detail changes the mood of the day. You are not only looking at a waterfall from a marked platform. You are making your way through the canyon, with the route providing a little effort and a little uncertainty.

I also like the scale of the outing. With a maximum of eight people, the guide can keep the pace more personal and help with the rougher parts of the walk. If Pablo is your guide, he has been especially helpful with photographs and with keeping the group supplied with snacks at the waterfall.

The tour has a good rhythm. You begin with the most active section, warm up afterward in the pools at El Tigre, then spend time in Yura Viejo. It is a full day, but not one packed with a long list of rushed stops.

The four-hour walk through Capua Canyon

The trek takes about four hours, and the route includes puddles and streams. You should think of it as a proper outdoor walk, not a paved path with a waterfall at the end. The canyon gives you changing footing and the need to pay attention to where you step.

That is also the appeal. Walking through water can make a short excursion feel like a real outing. The supplied details do not give a distance, elevation gain, or exact difficulty rating, so I would not assume the route is easy simply because the tour is open to most people. If you have concerns about uneven ground or water crossings, ask the operator before booking.

The tour description says you reach the base of Capua Waterfall. That is a more satisfying goal than a distant view. You get time in the canyon and a clear destination at the end of the walk.

Pack sunscreen and insect repellent. Those two items were specifically useful on the route. A small day bag should also hold anything you want dry, especially a phone or camera. Since the guide may take photos for you, you can enjoy the walk without holding your camera every minute.

Choosing shoes for a wet trail

Footwear deserves serious thought. One person completed the hike in hiking shoes while walking through the river, and the guide, Pablo, used strapped sandals. That gives you two workable approaches, but the key word is secure.

Avoid loose flip-flops. They can slip off in moving water and offer little protection on uneven ground. A sturdy pair of water shoes, hiking sandals with a back strap, or shoes you do not mind getting wet would make sense. If you prefer hiking shoes, bring sandals or a second pair for afterward.

The exact water level can vary, and the tour requires good weather. Since conditions are not guaranteed, you should be ready for the route to feel wetter or less comfortable than expected. The operator may offer another date or a full refund if poor weather forces cancellation, but the experience itself is non-refundable if you cancel or request a change for another reason.

Reaching the base of Capua Waterfall

Capua Waterfall is the payoff for the canyon walk, but it is not the only worthwhile part. The route gives you a close look at the canyon and lets you move through the natural setting at walking speed. That makes the stop feel more personal than a quick roadside photograph.

The waterfall was described as beautiful, with the canyon around it adding to the appeal. You should have time to pause, take photographs, and eat the snacks supplied by the guide. The included food is simple: fruit, cookies, a cereal bar, candy, crackers, and water are mentioned in the trip details and on the outing itself.

That snack break matters after four hours outside. You do not need to plan a full meal for the waterfall section, though anyone with specific dietary needs should confirm what is supplied before departure. Bottled water is included, but bringing extra water may still be sensible for an active morning.

I like that the waterfall stop does not pretend to be a luxury picnic. It is a practical rest point in the middle of a physical excursion. The focus stays on the canyon, the water, and the walk.

Warming up at El Tigre thermal pools

After the canyon, you visit Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre for about 40 minutes. These are hot springs of volcanic origin, and the water provides a welcome change after the wet and active first part of the day.

The pools are described as having qualities that may help bones and skin. Treat that as the character of the local attraction, not a medical promise. The main practical benefit is simpler: warm water gives you a chance to rest your legs before the final town visit.

Entrance to the thermal pools is not included in the $62 price. Bring cash. The available information puts the fee at roughly 5 to 10 soles, depending on the day. That is a small extra cost, but it is exactly the kind of detail that can spoil an otherwise smooth day if you are not prepared.

The 40-minute stop is enough for a soak, but not a long spa session. If you are booking mainly for thermal bathing, this tour may feel too short. If you see the pools as a recovery stop after the hike, the timing makes much more sense.

A slower hour in Yura Viejo

The last main stop is Yura Viejo, a traditional town where you spend about an hour. The visit includes its church and gives you a look at local culture, economy, and attractions.

This stop broadens the day. Capua Canyon gives you nature and movement. El Tigre gives you warm water. Yura Viejo adds a human and local setting, with time to see more than just a natural attraction.

The available details do not promise a long guided history talk or a packed schedule in town. That is useful to know. You should expect a short cultural visit rather than a full walking tour of Yura. The church is the named focus, while the rest of the hour lets you take in the town at a relaxed pace.

I appreciate the contrast. A day spent only at a waterfall and hot springs could feel like a single-purpose outing. Yura Viejo adds a sense of place and shows you how the area extends beyond the usual Arequipa stops.

What the $62 price gives you

At $62 per person, the value depends on how much you want the active combination of hiking, hot springs, and a town visit. The price includes hotel pickup, bottled water, and snacks. It also covers the guide and the full day of organized transport and activities, though the supplied information does not break down the transport arrangements.

The small group helps the price feel more reasonable. A maximum of eight people is more manageable than a large coach group, especially on a wet trail where different walking speeds can cause delays. A guide can also help with photographs, route decisions, and practical matters along the way.

The cost is less attractive if you only want a waterfall photograph or a quick soak. The four-hour trek is the heart of the experience, and you should be willing to spend much of the day on foot. Add the thermal pool admission and any extra food or gear you buy, and the final cost will be slightly above the advertised rate.

For a full-day combination with hotel pickup and basic refreshments, I see fair value here. The trip is not selling luxury. It is selling access to a less common walk near Arequipa, a small group, and a useful sequence of outdoor activities.

Timing, pickup, and group size

The tour starts at 8:00 a.m. from C. Zela 301 in Arequipa, postal code 04001, and returns to the same meeting point. The total duration is about eight hours and 30 minutes, so you should keep the rest of your evening flexible.

Pickup from your hotel is included, but the stated start location remains important. Confirm the pickup details when you book, especially if you are not staying near the central meeting point. The tour is also near public transportation, which gives you another way to reach the start if needed.

The group limit is eight people. That is one of the clearest advantages for anyone who prefers a quieter day and direct contact with the guide. The experience also allows service animals, and the operator says most people can participate. Still, the wet canyon walk means you should judge your own comfort with uneven, damp conditions rather than relying only on the general participation note.

You receive booking confirmation at the time of reservation. Keep in mind that the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. Poor weather is treated differently: if the operator cancels for that reason, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to spend part of your Arequipa visit outside the city and enjoy an active route with a clear reward. It suits people who like walking through natural areas, do not mind wet shoes, and prefer a small group.

It is also a good fit if you want several kinds of stops in one day. You get a canyon and waterfall, hot springs, and a traditional town without having to arrange each part yourself.

You may want to choose something else if you dislike water crossings, need a clearly graded hiking route, or want a relaxed sightseeing day with minimal walking. The details do not provide exact trail distance or elevation gain, so ask for more information if those figures affect your decision.

Families and mixed-age groups should consider the footwear and stream sections carefully. The operator says most people can participate, but that does not remove the need for sensible preparation.

What to pack for the Capua and Yura route

Keep your packing simple, but make it practical:

• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Water-friendly shoes or secure hiking sandals
• A dry change of footwear for after the canyon
• Cash for the thermal pool entry
• A small bag for personal items
• Clothing that can handle a wet trail
• A phone or camera protected from splashes

The tour supplies bottled water and snacks, so you have a basic food and drink cushion. You may still want extra water or food if you normally eat more during a four-hour hike.

Do not count on ordinary street shoes drying quickly. The most useful footwear advice from this experience is to choose something secure and to bring another pair for the rest of the day.

Should you book Trekking, Waterfalls and Thermal Baths?

Book it if the idea of walking through Capua Canyon sounds more appealing than simply viewing a waterfall from a roadside stop. The combination of a four-hour trek, a 40-minute soak, and an hour in Yura Viejo gives you a varied day at a fair price, especially with hotel pickup, snacks, and a group capped at eight.

Skip it if you want guaranteed dry conditions, a gentle route, or a long thermal spa visit. Bring cash for the pools, prepare for wet footwear, and keep your evening free because the tour lasts about eight and a half hours. For active visitors looking for a less routine side trip from Arequipa, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at C. Zela 301, Arequipa 04001, at 8:00 a.m. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately eight hours and 30 minutes.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is eight travelers.

Is the thermal pool entrance included?

No. Admission to Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre is not included. The available information indicates a fee of about 5 to 10 soles, depending on the day.

What is included in the tour?

Hotel pickup, bottled water, and snacks such as cookies, a cereal bar, fruit, candy, and crackers are included.

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.