Trekking, Waterfalls and Thermal Baths

Capua Waterfall is the main draw here, but the way you reach it makes the outing special. You walk through Capua Canyon, crossing puddles and shallow streams, rather than simply stepping off a bus at a viewpoint. The trail feels local and quiet, with the canyon doing most of the talking.

I like the small maximum group of eight, which gives the guide room to help with slippery crossings and take photos. I also like the useful finish: a soak at El Tigre thermal pools after four hours on foot. The catch is simple: this is a wet, active day, and the thermal bath entrance costs extra.

Key points

• Capua Canyon takes four hours: Expect a real trek through water, puddles, and streams to reach the waterfall base.
• The waterfall is reached on foot: The route gives you a closer look at the canyon than a roadside stop would.
• El Tigre pools are volcanic hot springs: The 40-minute soak is a practical way to rest after the hike.
• Guide Pablo has earned special praise: He has helped with the route, carried snacks, and taken photos for hikers.
• Pack for wet feet: Hiking shoes can work, but sandals with a secure strap are useful afterward.
• The group stays small: The tour accepts no more than eight people and returns to the starting point in Arequipa.

A Water-Filled Route to Capua Waterfall

This outing begins in Arequipa at 8:00 a.m., with pickup from your hotel and a return to the meeting point at C. Zela 301. The day lasts about eight and a half hours, though the listed stops add up to less than that. The remaining time is used for transport and moving between the canyon, hot springs, and Yura Viejo.

The heart of the day is a four-hour walk through Capua Canyon. You should expect puddles and streams underfoot as you make your way to the base of Capua Waterfall. This is not a polished path leading to a quick photo stop. The water crossings are part of the route, and they give the outing a more hands-on feel.

I like that the waterfall is treated as the end point of a walk rather than the whole experience. The canyon matters too. You get time to notice its rock walls, wet passages, and changing footing instead of rushing from a vehicle to a lookout.

Still, the route asks something of you. Four hours is a long time if you are not used to walking outdoors, and wet ground can make each step slower. The description says most people can participate, but good shoes, a steady pace, and comfort around water will make the day much easier.

What the Capua Canyon Walk Feels Like

The most useful detail here is also the easiest to overlook: you may walk through the river in your hiking shoes. One person completed the route in strapped sandals, so you have options, but the safest choice depends on what gives you a secure grip and protects your feet.

I would bring hiking shoes that you do not mind getting wet, plus sandals with a firm strap for afterward. Loose flip-flops are a poor match for puddles and streams. If you have only one pair of shoes, accept that they may stay damp for part of the day.

Pack sunscreen and insect repellent. Those items were specifically useful on the walk, and neither takes much room in a day bag. A small towel or spare socks would also be sensible, though they are not listed as tour inclusions.

The walking time also affects how you use the included snacks. Cookies, a cereal bar, fruit, and bottled water are provided, and the guide may hand them out at the waterfall. That is enough for a pause and a boost, but it is not a full meal. Bring anything extra you know you need.

Reaching the Base of Capua Waterfall

At the waterfall, you reach the base rather than simply viewing it from a distant road. That gives the stop a stronger sense of reward after the stream crossings and canyon walk.

The waterfall itself is described as beautiful, but the wider canyon is just as important to the experience. The setting changes the mood from ordinary sightseeing to a small outdoor challenge. You work for the view, then get time to rest and take photographs.

The small group helps here. With no more than eight people, the guide can pay attention to the pace and assist with the route. Pablo has been praised for being helpful and for taking plenty of photos, a useful service when you want pictures of the walk but do not want to risk your phone during a crossing.

Do not expect a long, leisurely stop with every comfort laid on. The snacks and water are practical, and the photo help is welcome, but this remains a simple canyon outing. Its appeal comes from the setting and the route, not from polished facilities.

Cooling Off at El Tigre Thermal Pools

After the walk, you spend about 40 minutes at Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre. These are volcanic hot springs, and the pools are promoted for their soothing qualities for bones and skin. The timing is well chosen: you finish the active part of the day, then give yourself a chance to sit and warm up.

This stop is more about recovery than sightseeing. After wet crossings and several hours of walking, a hot pool can feel like a proper change of pace. You will not spend most of the day here, so think of it as a short rest rather than a full spa visit.

The entrance ticket is not included. Bring cash, since the fee has been reported as about 5 to 10 soles depending on the day. The exact amount is not fixed in the tour details, so keeping a little extra local currency is the sensible move.

This added cost is small compared with the overall price, but it is still worth knowing before you leave. The tour costs $62 per person, and the thermal pool fee comes on top. If you want a day with every admission included, this is a minor drawback. If you value the chance to soak after a hike, it is an easy extra to accept.

A Quiet Stop in Yura Viejo

The final planned stop is Iglesia de Yura Viejo, with about an hour in the traditional town of Yura Viejo. The focus is broader than the church alone. You get a look at the town, its culture, its economy, and the attractions around it.

This stop gives the day some local context after the natural sights. The waterfall and hot springs are the main physical attractions, but the village visit helps you see how the area functions beyond the tour route. It is a useful counterpoint to the canyon.

The description does not give a detailed account of the church’s architecture, age, or collection, so you should not expect a formal historical tour of the building. Instead, treat the hour as a chance to see a traditional community and learn about the place from the guide.

That balance is one of the better features of the schedule. You get a demanding walk, a warm soak, and a cultural stop without spending the entire day at one type of attraction.

Why the Small Group Matters

A maximum of eight people is a real advantage on a route with streams and uneven ground. A guide can keep the group together more easily and offer help when the trail becomes awkward. It also reduces the chance that the walk feels like a large procession.

Pablo is specifically named as a guide who has been helpful on this excursion. He has taken photographs and supplied snacks at the waterfall, details that matter because they affect how relaxed the day feels. You are not left to manage every practical task alone.

That said, a small group does not turn the hike into a private tour. You still need to keep to the planned pace and be ready for a shared outing. If you want complete control over stops, walking speed, and time in the pools, a private arrangement would offer more freedom, but that is not what this experience promises.

The 4.7 rating from 47 submitted ratings and a 94 percent recommendation rate suggest that the format has worked well for many people. Those figures are useful signals, not guarantees. Your enjoyment will depend heavily on your footwear, fitness, weather, and comfort with getting wet.

What to Pack for the Eight-and-a-Half-Hour Day

The operator supplies bottled water and snacks, but you should still carry a small day bag. Keep it light, since you will be walking for four hours and dealing with water.

Bring:

• Secure hiking shoes or strapped sandals suitable for wet crossings
• Spare socks and a change of footwear
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Cash for the thermal pool entrance
• A phone or camera in a waterproof pouch
• Extra food if the included cookies, fruit, and cereal bar will not be enough

You do not need to overpack. The included water and snacks cover the basics, and the small group makes it easier to stay organized. The important thing is protecting your feet, skin, and phone from the conditions you will meet.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, according to the activity information, but the four-hour trek remains the main test. A person who struggles with streams, prolonged walking, or uneven ground should think carefully before booking.

Is $62 a Fair Price?

At $62 per person, the value comes from combining three different experiences in one day: a guided canyon trek, a thermal bath stop, and a visit to Yura Viejo. Hotel pickup, bottled water, snacks, and the small group add practical value.

The price is easier to justify if you would otherwise need separate transport and planning for Capua Canyon and the hot springs. You are also paying for a guide who can manage the route, help with crossings, and provide photos. The outing is not just transport between attractions.

The admission fee for El Tigre is not included, so budget a little extra in soles. That is not a serious cost, but it should be part of your calculation. The package also does not promise a meal, so you may want to bring more food than the supplied snacks.

For an active day away from Arequipa’s central sights, I consider the price reasonable. The value drops if you want a relaxed sightseeing trip, dislike wet shoes, or have no interest in a four-hour walk. The tour earns its price through the route, not through luxury.

Weather, Cancellations, and Practical Limits

This experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. That is a sensible safety rule for a canyon route involving streams, though it means you should keep some flexibility in your Arequipa plans.

The cancellation policy for personal changes is strict. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason if you cancel or request an amendment. Read that condition carefully before paying, especially if your schedule in Peru is unsettled.

The tour starts at 8:00 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point. Hotel pickup is included, but the listed start point is C. Zela 301 in Arequipa. Confirm the pickup details at booking so you know where to be in the morning.

Who Should Book This Arequipa Outing?

I would choose this tour if you want an active day with a less standard route around Arequipa. It suits you if walking through water sounds fun rather than inconvenient, and if you like pairing outdoor scenery with a local village visit.

It is also a good match for people who prefer a small group. The maximum of eight gives the day a more personal feel and lets the guide respond to the group’s needs. Pablo’s help with photos and snacks adds a friendly, practical touch.

I would hesitate if you want a gentle excursion, a guaranteed dry trail, or a long session in the hot springs. The trek takes four hours, the pools last about 40 minutes, and the entrance fee is extra. Those facts are not flaws, but they shape the day.

Should You Book It?

Book this experience if your idea of a good day includes a real walk, wet feet, a waterfall at the end, and a short soak in volcanic pools. The combination is unusual enough to feel different from a standard Arequipa sightseeing loop, and the small group improves the practical side of the outing.

Skip it if you are uncomfortable on uneven ground or want a fully inclusive, low-effort day. For everyone else, $62 is a fair price for a guided Capua Canyon route, snacks, hotel pickup, and three distinct stops. Pack sunscreen, insect repellent, spare footwear, and cash for El Tigre, then let the canyon set the pace.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is C. Zela 301, Arequipa 04001, Peru. Hotel pickup is included.

What time does the activity begin?

The activity starts at 8:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The full experience lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes.

How long is the Capua Canyon trek?

The Capua Waterfall portion takes about four hours and includes puddles and streams.

Is the thermal pool entrance included?

No. The entrance ticket to Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre is not included. 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, cookies, a cereal bar, and fruit.

How large is the group?

The activity has a maximum of eight people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.