REVIEW · AREQUIPA
From Arequipa: Road to Pillones Waterfall
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Viaja con Amaru Explorer · Bookable on GetYourGuide
A waterfall day trip with morning punch. From Arequipa, you get early pickup and a guide-led route to Pillones Waterfalls, plus the Imata Stone Forest for dramatic rock views.
I love two things most about this kind of outing. First, the pacing works: you stop for breakfast along the way, then you start the descent toward the falls around late morning. Second, the scenery keeps offering new angles, from village moments to the carved rock features you can spot before you arrive at the main falls.
One drawback to plan for: meals are not included, and the waterfall entrance costs S/5. That means you’ll want cash on hand and a sun-ready setup for a day that is mostly outdoors.
In This Review
- Key highlights worth your attention
- Morning pickup from Arequipa: where the day starts
- Pillones Waterfalls: timing, walking, and photo opportunities
- Village stop flow: Pampa de Arrieros, Patahuasi breakfast, and Imata lunch
- Imata Stone Forest: the in-between wonder
- Price and value: $27 plus the S/5 entrance and your meals
- What to bring: the small items that save the day
- Who this tour is best for (and who should skip it)
- Should you book Road to Pillones Waterfall?
- FAQ
- What time is hotel pickup in Arequipa?
- How long is the excursion?
- What’s included in the price?
- Are meals included?
- How much is the entrance to the waterfalls?
- Is this tour wheelchair accessible?
Key highlights worth your attention
- Pillones Waterfalls with an about 1-hour descent before you reach the falls
- Imata Stone Forest time for photos and watching plants and rocks in the open air
- English and Spanish speaking guide to help you time stops and get the most from viewpoints
- Village stops like Pampa de Arrieros and Patahuasi for a real break and on-your-own meals
- Entrance to the waterfalls is extra (S/5), so the true cost is a bit more than $27
- Return to Arequipa around 5:00 pm, so it fits neatly into a typical vacation schedule
Morning pickup from Arequipa: where the day starts
This trip is built around an early departure. You’ll get picked up from your hotel between 6:00 and 6:30 am, then you head out by bus toward the Pillones area. Yes, it’s a lot of morning for one day, but that also means you’re not stuck with the most boring part of the day later.
On the road, you’re mainly earning time. The morning start gives you a better chance to see the falls without feeling rushed, and it leaves room for stops that break up the drive. Expect the day to feel like a guided route with a few natural “pause points,” not a nonstop sprint.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Arequipa.
Pillones Waterfalls: timing, walking, and photo opportunities
You’ll arrive at the falls after a stretch of travel and village stops, with the descent starting at about 10:30 am. From there, you’ll go downhill for roughly 1 hour to reach the impressive waterfall area. That descent is the heart of the experience. It turns the visit into a journey, and you get better photo opportunities because your perspective changes as you move.
Before you reach the falls, you’ll have a chance to appreciate rocks carved over time. This matters more than it sounds, because it gives you something to look at even before the main payoff. Once you arrive, the water drops down surrounded by rich vegetation and spectacular rock formations, which is exactly the kind of setting that looks good in every direction.
Bring your camera and treat the falls like a slow reveal. Get a few wide shots first (to catch the full water drop and rock framing), then switch to tighter photos when you find angles with less glare. And if you want to spend time watching rather than just shooting, you still get that option once you’re at the main viewpoint.
Village stop flow: Pampa de Arrieros, Patahuasi breakfast, and Imata lunch
This day trip includes small community stops that make it feel grounded instead of purely scenic. One stop is in the village of Pampa de Arrieros, and another is Patahuasi, where breakfast is on your own. That gives you control: you can go simple, try something local, or skip breakfast if you’re not hungry early.
You might wonder if on-your-own meals makes the day less smooth. In practice, it usually helps. Since the breakfast is not bundled, you’re not stuck with one set menu that you might not like. Just plan to bring some cash and be ready to choose what’s easiest to order.
Later, you’ll stop in Imata, with lunch on your own. Lunch is where the day’s energy shifts from morning movement to afternoon recovery before you head back to Arequipa around 5:00 pm. If you want the best value out of the day, don’t overspend on snacks earlier and save your appetite for Imata.
Imata Stone Forest: the in-between wonder
This excursion isn’t only about the waterfall moment. It also includes the Imata Stone Forest, which is where you get to appreciate rock formations and natural textures away from the biggest crowds and noise.
The practical advantage: stone forests like this reward slower looking. You’ll see shapes shaped by erosion and the way plants cling to rock in hard-to-reach spots. Even if your main goal is photography, this stop helps you take better waterfall pictures later, because it trains your eye on framing and contrast.
The tour also gives you room to enjoy the area rather than rushing through it. You’ll spend enough time to walk, pause, and take photos without feeling like you’re chasing a schedule every few minutes.
Price and value: $27 plus the S/5 entrance and your meals
At $27 per person, this is the kind of day trip that feels fair if you’re okay with a few add-ons. Here’s what’s included: hotel pickup, bus transportation, and an English and Spanish speaking guide. That’s a big deal in Arequipa, where figuring out timing and routes on your own can be more complicated than it looks.
What’s not included is equally important. Meals are not included, and entrance to the waterfalls costs S/5. That means your “true cost” is really the base price plus S/5 plus whatever you choose to spend at breakfast and lunch.
If you compare the day to hiring a private option, $27 usually looks like a good value. You’re paying for the route, the guide, and the logistics that keep the day moving. If you’re traveling with more than one person, this is also a trip where group-based transport usually makes sense.
What to bring: the small items that save the day
Because you’re outside for much of the day, your packing list matters. The basics are clear, and I’d follow them closely: passport or ID card, sunglasses, a sun hat, camera, sunscreen, water, and cash.
Water is not optional. Even on a day that’s only one hour of walking, you’ll still sweat on open paths and in sunny stretches. Sunscreen and a hat help you focus on the views instead of thinking about sunburn.
Cash matters because the waterfall entrance is extra, and breakfast and lunch are on your own. If you like keeping things simple, bring a bit of extra cash so you don’t have to make a stressful decision when you’re hungry.
Who this tour is best for (and who should skip it)
This trip is a good fit for people who enjoy nature and photos, and who are comfortable with some walking on uneven ground. The timing includes an about 1-hour descent to reach Pillones, so it’s not a casual stroll.
It also comes with clear limits: it’s not suitable for wheelchair users, and it’s not recommended for people with pre-existing medical conditions. If you’re managing anything that could be affected by uneven terrain, long sun exposure, or strenuous walking, you’ll want to choose a different style of outing.
Who will love it:
- Photographers who want a guided day with multiple viewpoint stops
- Travelers who like morning starts when the reward is real scenery
- People who enjoy a mix of nature and small-town breaks
Should you book Road to Pillones Waterfall?
I think you should book this if you want a straightforward day from Arequipa that hits two strong nature focuses: Pillones Waterfalls and the Imata Stone Forest. The guided setup plus hotel pickup keeps it easy, and the schedule has enough structure to make the day feel complete without feeling long and boring.
Skip it if your priority is a fully relaxed day with meals included, or if you’re not comfortable with walking down for about an hour. Also skip it if your situation doesn’t match the stated medical suitability limits.
If you book, come ready for sun and cash-based meals, and you’ll get a lot out of the day for the price.
FAQ
What time is hotel pickup in Arequipa?
Pickup is scheduled between 6:00 and 6:30 am.
How long is the excursion?
It lasts 1 day.
What’s included in the price?
The price includes hotel pickup, transportation by bus, and an English and Spanish speaking guide.
Are meals included?
No. Meals are not included. Breakfast is at the Patahuasi stop on your own, and lunch is in Imata on your own.
How much is the entrance to the waterfalls?
Entrance to the waterfalls is S/5.
Is this tour wheelchair accessible?
No, it is not suitable for wheelchair users.
