The Caves of Sumbay – Arequipa – Peru

Located 91 kilometers north of the city, behind the Misti volcano, the Sumbay Caves were discovered in 1968 and house around 500 cave paintings that are between 6,000 and 8,000 years old.

These drawings from the Paleolithic era reproduce different figures of typical animals of the area such as guanacos, vicuñas, pumas and also some human representations. Among the animals, there is the particularity of seeing carvings of extinct species, such as the suris.

In addition to the paintings, in the first expeditions to the caves, carried out by anthropologist Alex Neira, utensils were found with which it is believed that the inhabitants hunted and cooked their prey.

The Sumbay Caves are part of the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve and since 2000 have been declared a National Cultural Heritage Site.

What to see and do in the Sumbay Caves?

Discover the different shapes and forms of the paintings. Most of them are camelids, although there are also some drawings of pumas and rheas or suris. Human figures also appear, although in smaller numbers.

Observe the colors used and imagine their probable meaning. The paintings are mostly in white, although there are also some in ochre with different shades ranging from red to yellow.

Appreciate the typical camelids that inhabit the area. It is common to come across alpacas or vicuñas walking in search of food, which were probably the main source of inspiration for these ancient paintings.

Visiting the town. Sumbay is a small uninhabited village where there is a church and a train cemetery.

To know the stone forest of Puruña. Within the same route and also included in the limits of the National Reserve of Salinas and Aguada Blanca you can discover this site with beautiful formations of white stones caused by the erosion of the sun, water and winds.

How to get to the Sumbay Caves?

To go by car from Arequipa to the Sumbay Caves you must take route 34A and then route 1S, which is the same road that leads to Chivay. Once in Sumbay, you must follow a 3-kilometer unpaved road to reach the caves. The entire trip takes about an hour and a half.

Other ways to go are to hire a private service or a tourist tour from Arequipa. The prices in this case tend to be somewhat high, since there are very few agencies that make this tour. If you hire a private service, you will have to take a van in Sumbay to transport you to the caves or take a 20-minute walk.

Recommendations

Schedule. There is no set schedule for visiting the caves, although it is recommended to do so during the morning hours.

Best time to visit the caves. May to November are usually the months with the best weather, although it is always advisable to check the weather forecast before visiting, because rain can make the tour uncomfortable.

Income. Admission to the Sumbay caves is free of charge.

What to bring? The village of Sumbay is almost devoid of inhabitants, so it is essential that you bring supplies of food and drink. In addition, hiking shoes and comfortable clothing will facilitate your walks along the route. Don’t forget to bring water, snacks, camera, sunglasses, hat or cap and sunscreen.

Where to stop for lunch? If you are not carrying provisions, it is advisable to stop in Chivay where there are a good number of restaurants and food stores.

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