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 stopping at a roadside viewpoint. I like the small maximum group of eight, which should make the river crossing and canyon walk easier to manage. I also like the simple finish: warm volcanic pools after four hours on foot.

The main drawback is that this is a wet, active outing, not a gentle sightseeing trip. You need suitable footwear, sunscreen, and bug spray, and the thermal pool entrance fee is extra. The tour also depends on good weather and has a strict no-refund policy for cancellations.

Key points to know before booking

• Capua Waterfall requires a four-hour trek: Expect puddles, streams, and walking through the canyon rather than a short photo stop.
• River-friendly footwear matters: Hiking shoes worked for one guest, while guide Pablo used strapped sandals. Pack a dry pair for afterward.
• Hot springs follow the hike: You get about 40 minutes at Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre, but admission is not included.
• The group is limited to eight people: That is useful on a narrow or wet trail and keeps the outing more personal.
• Yura Viejo adds local context: The final stop gives you time to see the town church, culture, economy, and nearby attractions.
• Pack a little cash: The thermal pool fee is reported as about 5 to 10 soles, depending on the day.

Why Capua Canyon is the real attraction

Many Arequipa day trips focus on grand views, famous churches, or volcano scenery. This one takes a different route. The experience is built around moving through Capua Canyon under your own power, with the waterfall as the reward at the end.

The walk lasts about four hours. Along the way, you should expect puddles and streams, and at times you may walk directly through the water. That detail matters. This is not a dry trail with a few scenic pauses. Your shoes and socks may get wet, so planning your footwear is part of the trip.

The canyon gives the walk its character. You are not simply being driven to Capua Waterfall, taking a picture, and returning to the vehicle. You have time to notice the rock walls, water, and changing conditions underfoot. The route sounds especially appealing if you like a bit of hands-on adventure without committing to a technical mountain hike.

Still, the tour details do not describe the trail as difficult, and most people can participate. I would read that as a good sign for reasonably active visitors, but not as a promise of an easy stroll. Four hours on a wet trail can feel long if you are not used to walking outdoors.

Reaching Capua Waterfall on foot

The goal of the first stop is the base of Capua Waterfall. The walk through the canyon includes jumping puddles and crossing streams, which gives the outing a playful quality. You may need to choose your steps carefully rather than simply follow a smooth path.

A small group helps here. With no more than eight people, the guide can give more attention to footing and the pace can be easier to manage. Guide Pablo has been praised for being helpful and for taking photographs along the route. If Pablo is leading your departure, you may also find the outing more relaxed because he has experience helping people through the watery sections.

The most useful footwear advice is simple: bring options. One person completed the walk in hiking shoes, while Pablo used strapped Teva-style sandals. That tells you there is no single required shoe, but loose flip-flops would be a poor choice. You need something that stays on your feet and gives you enough grip.

I would wear sturdy hiking shoes or secure trekking sandals, then bring a dry pair for the ride and the rest of the day. The supplied advice to pack sunscreen and bug spray is worth following. Neither item is included, and a long outdoor walk is not the time to discover you left both in your hotel room.

At the waterfall, the guide provides snacks that can include fruit, water, candy, crackers, cookies, and a cereal bar. The exact snack selection may vary, but the tour includes bottled water and light food. That is useful after several hours of walking, even if you should not treat the snack pack as a full lunch.

The waterfall itself is the payoff, but the canyon is almost as important. The walk gives you a sense of place that a quick stop cannot. I like that the route feels more local and less packaged than a standard city excursion, though that also means you should be ready for uneven, wet conditions.

A warm finish at El Tigre

After the canyon trek, the tour heads to Pozo de Aguas Termales El Tigre. These are volcanic hot springs, and you have about 40 minutes to soak and refresh yourself after the walk.

The timing makes good sense. A hot pool can feel especially welcome after a morning spent crossing water and walking through the canyon. The pools are also described as having qualities that may help bones and skin. I would treat that as a traditional claim rather than a medical promise, but the chance to relax is a clear part of the appeal.

Admission to the thermal pools is not included. Bring cash. The amount given for the entrance is about 5 to 10 soles, depending on the day. Because the fee is separate from the $62 tour price, you should budget for it before leaving Arequipa.

Forty minutes is enough time to enjoy the pools, but it is not a long spa session. The stop works best as a recovery break, not as the main purpose of the day. If you want a full afternoon at hot springs, this tour will feel too short. If you like the idea of combining a walk with a brief soak, the timing is more appealing.

There is also a practical point here: you will want to keep your dry clothes and personal items organized. The supplied information does not specify changing facilities or storage, so I would avoid bringing anything unnecessary and pack with the assumption that the day will involve water from start to finish.

Yura Viejo and its traditional church

The final stop is Iglesia de Yura Viejo, reached through the traditional town of Yura Viejo. About an hour is set aside to see the church and learn about the town’s culture, economy, and attractions.

This visit broadens the day beyond nature. After the waterfall and hot springs, Yura Viejo gives you a look at ordinary community life rather than another scenic stop. The church is the central point, but the description also suggests that the guide will explain how the town functions and what matters locally.

I like this part because it gives the outing a human setting. A waterfall can be beautiful, but a town helps place the surrounding area in context. You get a chance to see more than the trail and pools, and the one-hour stop should leave enough time to look around without turning the visit into a formal museum tour.

The information provided does not list the church’s architectural details or specific exhibitions, so you should not book this expecting a major heritage site. Think of it as a short cultural stop that rounds out the day.

What the $62 price includes

At $62 per person, this tour is not priced like a simple transfer to a nearby attraction. You are paying for about eight and a half hours, hotel pickup, transport between the stops, a guided canyon trek, bottled water, and snacks.

The group limit makes the price easier to assess. With a maximum of eight people, you are not joining a large coach party. That can matter on a watery trail, where a big crowd would slow the walk and make the experience feel less personal.

The strongest value comes if you want several different activities in one day: an active trek, a waterfall, hot springs, and a village visit. Booking each element separately could take more effort, and the pickup from your hotel adds convenience.

The price is less compelling if you only want a waterfall photograph or a long soak. The Capua walk is the core of the day, and you should be prepared to spend much of the morning on foot. You also pay the thermal pool entrance separately, so the final cost is slightly higher than the headline price.

The included snacks are helpful but not a replacement for lunch. Cookies, fruit, a cereal bar, crackers, candy, and water can keep you going, yet I would ask the operator if you need a substantial midday meal or plan accordingly. The supplied details do not confirm a full lunch.

Timing, meeting point, and group size

The tour starts at 8:00 a.m. from C. Zela 301 in Arequipa, postal code 04001. It ends back at the same meeting point. Hotel pickup is included, so confirm the pickup details when you book, especially if your accommodation is not close to the stated starting point.

The total duration is approximately eight hours and 30 minutes. That is a full day, but the schedule is divided into clear sections:

• About four hours for the Capua Canyon trek and waterfall
• About 40 minutes at the thermal pools
• About one hour in Yura Viejo

The remaining time covers transportation and transitions. Since no exact driving times are supplied, you should not expect every minute to be spent at an attraction.

The maximum group size is eight. That is one of the better features for this particular outing. A small party is easier to keep together near streams, and the guide has more room to help with photos, pacing, and route decisions.

The tour is near public transportation, although hotel pickup is included. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The information does not specify wheelchair access, trail surface details, or special support for mobility limitations, so anyone with those concerns should ask the operator before booking.

What to pack for a wet day

You do not need an elaborate expedition kit, but a few practical items will make the day better.

• Secure hiking shoes or strapped trekking sandals
• A dry change of socks and, ideally, spare footwear
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Cash for the thermal pool entrance
• A small bag for wet items
• Comfortable clothes that can handle splashes
• Personal water or extra snacks if you need more than the included supply

Your shoes are the most important choice. The trail includes puddles and streams, and footwear that slips off or has poor grip can turn a fun crossing into a nuisance. Hiking shoes worked for one participant, while sandals with a strap worked for the guide, so both approaches are possible.

I would also protect your phone. The guide may take photos, but water crossings still create risk for personal electronics. A simple waterproof pouch or sealed bag is sensible, though the tour does not list one as included.

Weather, cancellation, and who should book

Good weather is required. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is different from canceling on your own: the experience is otherwise non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons.

That strict policy makes it important to be certain before booking. Check your schedule, confirm your pickup, and look at the forecast as closely as possible. Since the first stop depends on a canyon walk and stream crossings, weather is not a minor detail.

I would recommend this outing to you if you enjoy active sightseeing, do not mind getting your shoes wet, and want a less standard day near Arequipa. It suits people who like combining nature, relaxation, and a little local culture rather than spending the whole day at one attraction.

I would be cautious about booking if you want a polished, low-effort excursion. The four-hour trek is the heart of the day, and the tour does not promise dry paths, a full meal, or a long spa visit. Families and less active participants should also consider that most people can participate does not mean the route will suit every fitness level.

Should you book the Capua and Yura outing?

Book it if the idea of walking through streams to a waterfall sounds more appealing than simply looking at one from a platform. The combination of Capua Canyon, a short soak at El Tigre, and Yura Viejo gives you three very different experiences for $62, with pickup, water, and snacks included.

I would make the final decision based on footwear and weather. If you can handle a four-hour wet walk, carry cash for the 5 to 10 sol pool fee, and accept the strict cancellation terms, this is a strong choice for an active day outside Arequipa. If you want comfort above all else, choose a shorter sightseeing trip instead.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at C. Zela 301, Arequipa 04001, Peru, at 8:00 a.m.

Does the tour provide hotel pickup?

Yes. Hotel pickup is included.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the starting meeting point.

How long does the full experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and 30 minutes.

How long is the Capua Waterfall trek?

The Capua Canyon and waterfall portion lasts about four hours.

Is the thermal pool entrance included?

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

How long do you spend at the hot springs?

The thermal pool stop lasts about 40 minutes.

What food and drinks are included?

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

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is eight travelers.

Can I cancel for a refund?

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered a different date or a full refund.