Trekking, Waterfalls and Thermal Baths

A waterfall trail with wet feet changes the day. This Arequipa outing pairs a four-hour trek through Capua Canyon with a soak in volcanic hot springs, then adds time in the traditional town of Yura Viejo. I like the mix of active walking and easy relaxation, and the small maximum of eight people should keep the outing personal rather than crowded.

I also like the local feel. The trail can involve puddles and stream crossings, and guide Pablo has been praised for helping with photos, pacing, and practical details. The main consideration is simple: the thermal pool entrance costs extra, and you should carry cash, sturdy footwear, sunscreen, and bug spray.

Key points to know before you book

• Capua Canyon means wet-foot trekking: Expect puddles and streams on the route to the waterfall, not a dry sightseeing walk.
• The group is limited to eight people: A small group suits anyone who wants a quieter outing and more room for questions.
• The waterfall stop takes about four hours: The walk is the main event, so plan for a physically active morning.
• The hot springs are volcanic in origin: Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre offers a warm break after the hike, but admission is not included.
• Yura Viejo adds local character: You have about an hour to see the church, town culture, economy, and nearby attractions.
• Bring sandals and cash: Hiking shoes can get wet, and the thermal pools cost about 5 to 10 soles according to the tour details shared by the operator.

Why this Arequipa day trip feels different

Arequipa has no shortage of organized outings, but this one does not rely only on a famous viewpoint or a quick photo stop. Its appeal comes from the combination of a canyon walk, a waterfall at the end of the route, warm pools, and a traditional town.

The tour costs $62 per person and lasts about 8 hours 30 minutes. That is a full day, but the plan has a useful rhythm. You spend the longest stretch moving through nature, then get time to rest in the water, followed by a slower cultural stop.

I see the small group as one of the best parts of the arrangement. With a maximum of eight people, the guide can give more attention to footing, photos, and questions than on a large coach tour. The pickup from your hotel also removes some morning hassle, although the stated meeting point is C. Zela 301 in central Arequipa, where the activity begins and ends.

The experience is not designed for someone who wants a gentle bus tour. The Capua section involves walking through a canyon and crossing puddles and streams. The operator says most people can participate, but you still need to be comfortable with a four-hour trek and wet conditions underfoot.

Capua Canyon and the walk to the waterfall

The first stop takes about four hours, making it the heart of the day. You walk through Capua Canyon, stepping around or through puddles and streams as you make your way to the base of Capua Waterfall.

That detail matters. This is not a viewpoint reached by a short path and a few stairs. The water crossings are part of the route, and they give the walk a playful, slightly scruffy character. You should expect to pay attention to your footing instead of simply strolling along while looking at your phone.

A pair of hiking shoes worked for one person on the route, even while walking through the river. Sandals with a secure strap also worked for guide Pablo, who completed the walk in Tivas or Chacos. I would still favor shoes with a firm sole and reliable straps. Loose flip-flops are a poor choice around moving water, puddles, and uneven ground.

Pack a second pair of sandals or shoes for after the trek. This is one of the most useful tips for the day. Wet footwear can make the rest of the outing uncomfortable, especially when you still have the hot springs and town visit ahead.

The canyon itself is part of the reward. The waterfall gives you a clear goal, but the rock walls, water, and changing views provide interest along the way. At the base of Capua Waterfall, you have reached the most scenic point of the walk, and this is also when the included snacks become useful.

The tour includes cookies, a cereal bar, fruit, and bottled water. Guide Pablo also carried bagged snacks that included fruit, water, candy, and crackers. That is a modest touch, but it matters after several hours on foot. You will not need to arrange a separate snack stop, though bringing extra water is still sensible if you know you drink a lot while walking.

Sunscreen and bug spray belong in your day bag. The advice is especially practical for a route that includes open sections, water, and several hours outside. A hat and a small waterproof bag for electronics would also make sense, but only the sunscreen and bug spray are specifically called out for this experience.

The waterfall section has no admission charge listed. Its value comes from the access and guiding rather than from a formal attraction ticket. If you want an active outing that feels less polished and more connected to the terrain, this is the part most likely to win you over.

The tradeoff is that the route may feel demanding if you expected a relaxed excursion. The tour information does not provide a detailed difficulty rating, elevation profile, or exact trail surface. Because the walk lasts four hours and includes water, you should book it for the trekking itself, not as a minor add-on to a waterfall photo.

Cooling off at El Tigre hot springs

After the canyon walk, the tour goes to Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre for about 40 minutes. These pools are described as volcanic in origin and are presented as a way to refresh your body after the walk, with traditional claims of benefits for bones and skin.

The timing is well judged. A warm soak after a long walk can feel restorative, and 40 minutes gives you enough time to relax without turning the whole day into a spa visit. This is a short stop, so you should not expect a long treatment or a full afternoon at the baths.

Admission to the thermal pools is not included in the $62 price. Bring cash. The stated cost is about 5 to 10 soles, depending on the day. Since the fee is small but necessary, it is easy to avoid an awkward delay by having soles ready before you leave Arequipa.

The baths are a useful contrast to Capua Canyon. The first stop asks you to stay active and watch your steps. The second gives you a chance to sit still. That change helps the day feel varied rather than like one long hike.

Keep your expectations measured. The information provided describes volcanic pools and their traditional healing qualities, but it does not promise medical treatment or a particular water temperature. Think of the stop as a local hot-spring break, not a clinical therapy session.

You should also remember that the bathing stop comes after the wet canyon walk. This makes dry footwear and a change of clothes especially useful, even though the official inclusions do not list towels, swimwear, or changing facilities. Those details are not specified, so you should confirm them with the operator if they matter to you.

Yura Viejo and its traditional church

The final listed stop is Iglesia de Yura Viejo, with about one hour in the traditional town of Yura Viejo. The focus is not only the church. The visit also introduces the town’s culture, economy, and local attractions.

This stop gives the day a human setting after the natural scenery. You get to see more than a waterfall and a pool. The church provides a clear point of interest, while the surrounding town offers a look at how local life is organized.

An hour is enough for an introduction, not a full study of Yura Viejo. I would treat this as a compact cultural visit that rounds out the outing. If your main goal is architecture, religious art, or detailed history, this tour does not provide enough information to promise a long church-focused visit. If you like seeing how a smaller town fits into a day outside Arequipa, the stop adds real value.

The church admission is included. That makes this section easier to budget, especially since the thermal pool fee is separate. The tour does not list an additional charge for the town visit.

What the $62 price includes

At $62 per person, the tour is priced as a full-day small-group experience rather than a simple transfer. You are paying for hotel pickup, guiding, the organized route to Capua Waterfall, the hot-spring visit, the Yura Viejo stop, snacks, and bottled water.

The group limit makes the price easier to justify. A maximum of eight people allows the outing to keep a more flexible feel, and it gives the guide a better chance to help with water crossings or take pictures. Pablo has been praised for taking lots of photos and helping along the route, which is useful if you want memories of the walk without constantly stopping to manage your camera.

The price does not cover the thermal pool entrance. That is the only listed admission charge you need to add, and it is relatively small at about 5 to 10 soles. Still, the tour description should be read carefully so you do not arrive with only dollars or assume every stop is covered.

Snacks are practical rather than elaborate. You get cookies, a cereal bar, fruit, and water, with additional items such as candy and crackers reported as part of the snack bags. This is enough to support the day, but it is not a replacement for breakfast. Since the pickup begins at 8:00 am, eat beforehand unless you know a small morning snack is enough for you.

The tour begins and ends at C. Zela 301, Arequipa 04001. Hotel pickup is included, so confirm the pickup arrangement when booking. The activity is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but the four-hour canyon walk remains the key physical requirement.

How to prepare for the Capua route

Good preparation will affect your enjoyment more than any extra sightseeing tip. The route includes water, so footwear should be your first decision.

Use shoes that stay secure on your feet and have a dependable sole. Hiking shoes are a reasonable choice, but pack sandals with a strap for the wet sections or for changing afterward. Guide Pablo used Tivas or Chacos, showing that heavy boots are not the only possible option, but your footwear should match your comfort and balance.

Bring:

• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Cash for the thermal pool entrance
• A change of footwear
• Water beyond the included bottle if needed
• Clothing that can handle splashes
• A small bag to protect your phone and camera

These suggestions are based on the water crossings, the long outdoor portion, and the practical advice attached to the experience. The tour does not list technical equipment, special permits, or a required fitness level.

You also need to allow for weather. This experience requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to cancellation, with the option of another date or a full refund. The normal cancellation policy is strict: once booked, the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. That makes weather protection important, but it also means you should book only when your plans are firm.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would choose this tour if you want an active day near Arequipa and prefer a mix of nature and local life. It suits people who enjoy walking through water, seeing a waterfall from its base, and relaxing in hot springs afterward.

It is also a good choice for anyone tired of standard sightseeing routes. The Capua trail and Yura Viejo visit offer a less conventional day than a simple city tour, while the eight-person limit keeps the outing from feeling like a large group procession.

Couples, friends, and active families may find the format appealing, provided everyone is comfortable with the trek. Service animals are allowed, and the operator states that most people can participate, but the available information does not give a detailed accessibility assessment for the canyon. If you have mobility concerns, ask the provider about the water crossings and trail surface before booking.

I would be more cautious if you dislike wet shoes, uneven walking, or long outdoor stretches. The thermal baths do not erase the fact that the first stop lasts four hours. Anyone seeking a purely relaxing day should look elsewhere.

The tour also works well for people who value a guide’s help with small practical matters. Pablo’s role, as described, goes beyond leading the route. Helping with photos, assisting on the trail, and carrying snacks can make a remote-feeling walk easier and more enjoyable.

Should you book Trekking, Waterfalls and Thermal Baths?

Book it if you want a small-group, active day that combines Capua Waterfall, a canyon trek, volcanic hot springs, and Yura Viejo. The strongest reasons are the unusual water-route experience, the change of pace from hiking to soaking, and the personal feel made possible by a maximum of eight people.

Before paying, make sure you are ready for four hours of walking and possible stream crossings. Pack sunscreen, bug spray, secure footwear, sandals for afterward, and cash for the 5 to 10 sole thermal pool fee.

For an offbeat day with practical inclusions and a clear mix of scenery, bathing, and local culture, $62 is a fair price. For anyone wanting an easy ride with minimal walking, it is not the right match.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The activity starts at C. Zela 301, Arequipa 04001, Peru, and ends back at the meeting point.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours 30 minutes.

How long is the Capua Waterfall trek?

The Capua Canyon trekking portion takes about four hours.

Is the thermal pool entrance included?

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

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes hotel pickup, bottled water, and snacks such as cookies, a cereal bar, and fruit. Admission to Iglesia de Yura Viejo is also included.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is eight people.