Trekking, Waterfalls and Thermal Baths

Follow the water to a quiet waterfall. I like the off-the-beaten-path Capua Canyon trek and the chance to finish in volcanic hot springs, two experiences that feel quite different from a standard Arequipa outing. The main consideration is the four-hour walk through puddles and streams, plus a separate cash fee for the thermal pools.

This small-group trip, limited to eight people, combines scenery, local culture, and a little mud with a practical 8:00 am start from central Arequipa. Guide Pablo has earned praise for his helpful manner, photographs, and thoughtful snack stop, though you should bring sunscreen, insect repellent, and footwear that can handle water.

I like the way the day moves from active to restful. First comes the canyon and waterfall, then a soak at Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre, followed by time in Yura Viejo. At $62 per person, with hotel pickup, water, snacks, and a guide included, it offers good value if you want more than city sights.

Key points to know before you go

• Capua Canyon means a wet four-hour trek: You may walk through streams and jump puddles to reach the waterfall base.
• The group is capped at eight people: That allows a more personal outing and makes it easier to keep the pace together.
• Pablo adds useful touches: He has helped with photos and provided fruit, water, candy, crackers, and other small snacks at the waterfall.
• The thermal pool fee is extra: Carry cash for an entrance cost reported at about 5 to 10 soles, depending on the day.
• Yura Viejo adds local context: The one-hour stop includes its church, culture, economy, and nearby attractions.
• Good weather matters: The experience can be moved or fully refunded if poor weather causes cancellation, but your own cancellation is non-refundable.

Why this Arequipa day trip feels different

Arequipa has no shortage of tours, but many focus on the city center, major viewpoints, or famous nearby sites. This outing takes you toward Capua Canyon and Yura, where the day is built around walking, water, hot springs, and a traditional town.

That combination is the real appeal. You are not simply stopping at a waterfall for a few minutes, taking a photo, and returning to the vehicle. The waterfall requires a substantial trek, and the walk itself is part of the experience.

The small group helps here. With no more than eight people, the guide can give practical help on the trail and keep an eye on the group as the route passes over streams and wet ground. A large group would make this kind of walk slower and less relaxed.

The tradeoff is that this is not a gentle sightseeing excursion. The tour lasts about eight and a half hours, with four hours assigned to the Capua trek. You should be comfortable walking for a long stretch and dealing with water underfoot.

Walking through Capua Canyon to the waterfall

The main event is the trek through Capua Canyon. The route includes puddles and streams, and you reach the base of Capua Waterfall on foot. That detail matters because the waterfall is not treated as a quick roadside photo stop.

The canyon gives the walk its character. You follow the route through and alongside water, with the sound and movement of the streams shaping the outing. At times, you may need to jump across puddles or walk directly through shallow water.

The practical lesson is simple: choose footwear for the trail, not for the city. One person who enjoyed the walk used hiking shoes and went through the river in them, while guide Pablo completed the route in strapped sandals. That gives you a useful range of options, but loose flip-flops would be a poor choice.

I would bring sandals or another dry pair for after the trek. Wet hiking shoes can make the rest of the day uncomfortable, especially when you still have the hot springs and Yura Viejo ahead.

The route takes about four hours, so do not judge it by the final waterfall alone. You need enough energy for the return portion as well as the walk in. A moderate pace, careful footing, and a willingness to get wet will make the experience much better.

At the waterfall, the canyon provides the payoff. The base of Capua Waterfall gives you time to stop, look around, and enjoy the setting after the effort of reaching it. Pablo has also been praised for taking photographs, which is helpful when you want a record of the outing without relying entirely on a quick phone snapshot.

A snack stop is another useful touch. The food can include fruit, water, candy, crackers, cookies, and a cereal bar. These are small portions rather than a full meal, so I would not treat them as a replacement for breakfast or lunch.

Bring sunscreen and insect repellent. Those two items were specifically useful on the route, and they take up little room in your day bag. Water is supplied, but carrying a small personal bag for your own essentials will make the wet sections easier to manage.

What the four-hour walk demands from you

The tour information says most people can participate, but the details of the route deserve more attention than that broad description. A four-hour trek through puddles and streams is different from a paved walk around Arequipa.

You should be prepared for uneven, wet ground and a sustained period on your feet. The supplied information does not give a difficulty rating, elevation details, or a precise distance, so I would avoid treating it as an easy stroll.

This is best for someone who enjoys active outdoor time and does not mind getting shoes and clothing damp. If you have limited walking ability, prefer dry paths, or want a mostly vehicle-based day, this may not suit you.

The reward is a stronger sense of place. You are moving through the canyon instead of only viewing it from a stop. That makes the waterfall feel earned, and it gives you a more memorable connection to the area around Yura.

Cooling off at Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre

After the walk, the group heads to Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre for about 40 minutes. These are volcanic hot springs, and the timing makes sense: you finish an active walk, then give your body a chance to rest in warm water.

The pools are described as having qualities associated with relief for bones and skin. I would view that as part of the local appeal rather than a medical promise. The hot springs are a place to relax after the canyon, not a substitute for treatment.

The entrance ticket is not included in the $62 price. Plan to carry cash, with the cost reported at around 5 to 10 soles depending on the day. Because the exact amount can vary, keep a little extra rather than arriving with only the minimum.

The 40-minute visit is long enough for a refreshing break, but not so long that the day loses momentum. It also means you should not expect a full spa session. This is a simple thermal stop paired with an outdoor excursion.

Bring a towel and a change of clothes only if the operator’s current instructions allow or recommend them, since those details are not specified here. At minimum, plan your clothing with the wet canyon walk in mind. Dry footwear for later is the most clearly supported and useful tip.

Yura Viejo and its traditional church

The final major stop is Iglesia de Yura Viejo, with about an hour in the traditional town of Yura Viejo. This part of the day shifts the focus from natural scenery to local life.

You will learn about the town’s church, culture, economy, and attractions. That gives the outing some depth, because the area is not presented only as a backdrop for a waterfall and hot springs. You get a short look at how the town functions and what matters locally.

An hour is enough for an introduction, not a full study of Yura Viejo. Still, it adds a useful human element after the physical part of the day. If you enjoy seeing smaller communities and local buildings, you will likely value this stop.

The church also provides a clear focus for the visit. Rather than wandering without context, you have a defined place and topics to explore. The admission is included, so there is no additional church entry cost listed for you to plan around.

What the $62 price includes

At $62 per person, this tour is strongest as a package of several services rather than as a single attraction visit. You receive hotel pickup, bottled water, snacks, a guided outing, the canyon trek, the waterfall stop, the thermal bath visit, and the Yura Viejo stop.

The hotel pickup is especially useful if you are staying in Arequipa and do not want to arrange your own transport to the meeting point. The stated start point is C. Zela 301, Arequipa 04001, and the activity returns there at the end.

The included snacks are practical, but modest. You get items such as cookies, a cereal bar, and fruit, along with water. I would eat beforehand because the schedule is long and the included food is meant to keep you going, not serve as a formal meal.

The extra thermal pool entrance is small compared with the tour price, but it is easy to overlook. Budget for roughly 5 to 10 soles in cash, based on the stated cost range. The operator should be able to confirm the current amount before departure.

The price also reflects the convenience of a small group. With a maximum of eight people, you are not paying for a crowded coach-style outing. The guide can focus more closely on the group, which matters on a water-filled trail.

Timing, meeting point, and group size

The day begins at 8:00 am at C. Zela 301 in Arequipa. It ends back at that same meeting point after approximately eight hours and 30 minutes.

That fixed start makes this easier to fit into an Arequipa schedule, but you should protect most of the day. This is not an early-morning activity followed by a free afternoon. The canyon walk, hot springs, town visit, and return all take time.

The group limit of eight is one of the better features. A small party is easier to manage on a narrow or wet route, and it gives you a better chance to ask questions or request help with photos. It also makes the experience feel less like a standard mass excursion.

The activity is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. The supplied information says most people can participate, though the wet, four-hour route remains the key physical consideration.

Packing advice for a wet canyon and hot springs

I would keep your packing simple but deliberate:

• Hiking shoes or secure strapped sandals that can handle water
• A dry pair of sandals or shoes for after the canyon
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Cash for the thermal pool entrance
• A small bag for personal items
• Clothing that can cope with a wet trail

Water and snacks are supplied, so you do not need to pack a large food supply. Still, breakfast beforehand is sensible because the walk takes about four hours.

The most important choice is footwear. A shoe that slips or has no secure strap will make the streams harder and less safe. The example of Pablo using strapped sandals shows that hiking shoes are not the only solution, but whatever you wear should stay firmly on your feet.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend this trip to you if you want an active day outside Arequipa and like combining nature with local culture. It suits people who are happy to walk for several hours, cross wet sections, and finish with a simple hot spring visit.

It is also a good choice if you have already seen central Arequipa and want a less familiar outing. The route offers a waterfall, canyon, thermal pools, and a traditional town in one day, without requiring you to arrange each part yourself.

You should think twice if you want a short, easy excursion or if you dislike getting wet. The four-hour trek is not a minor part of the schedule. The thermal pools are also basic in the information provided, so do not book this expecting a luxury wellness resort.

The cancellation rule is strict: your payment is non-refundable if you cancel or request a change. Poor weather is treated differently, with a different date or full refund offered if the operator cancels for that reason. Confirmation is provided when you book.

Should you book the Capua Canyon and Yura trip?

Book it if you want a small-group day with real walking, a waterfall reached by trail, volcanic hot springs, and a glimpse of Yura Viejo. The strongest reasons are the quiet canyon route, the careful help from guides such as Pablo, the included pickup and snacks, and the unusual mix of activities.

Skip it if you want a dry, low-effort day or need flexible cancellation. Bring secure footwear, sunscreen, insect repellent, and cash for the pool entrance, and you will be prepared for what this outing actually offers: a wet walk, a warm rest, and a local town visit at a fair overall price.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at C. Zela 301, Arequipa 04001, Peru, at 8:00 am. 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 long is the Capua waterfall trek?

The trek through Capua Canyon takes about four hours. The route includes puddles and streams before reaching the base of Capua Waterfall.

Is the thermal pool entrance included?

No. The entrance to Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre is not included. Plan to carry cash for an entrance fee reported at about 5 to 10 soles, depending on the day.

What food and drinks are provided?

The tour includes bottled water and snacks such as cookies, a cereal bar, and fruit. Additional snack items may include candy and crackers.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is eight people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel the experience, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Personal cancellations or requested changes are non-refundable.