South Valley Cusco Tour – Tipón and Pikillacta
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Availability Daily departures -
Transporte Hotel pickup -
Tour Guide Tour guide included -
Available languages Spanish, English & Portuguese -
Service type Shared service -
Cancellation policy Non-refundable -
Maximum altitude 3,400 m.a.s.l. -
Difficulty Easy
Highlight places
- Tipón
- Pikillacta and Andahuaylillas
Itinerary
Day 01 Cusco –Tipón - Pikillacta- Andahuaylillas -Cusco
Tipón, Pikillacta y Andahuaylillas: ingeniería inca, cultura Wari y arte colonial único.
08:30 – 09:00 AM.: Hotel Pick-Up and Departure
We will start our South Valley Tour Cusco with hotel pick-up between 08:30 and 09:00 AM. Once everyone is on board, we will travel through scenic landscapes of the South Valley, located 27 kilometers from Cusco. Along the way, we will observe small Andean villages and cultivated fields that reflect the region’s traditional lifestyle.
Visit to Tipon
Our first stop will be Tipon, an impressive Inca archaeological complex known for its advanced hydraulic system. We will explore twelve agricultural terraces surrounded by water channels that still function perfectly.
The constant flow of spring water through stone aqueducts demonstrates the Inca mastery of engineering. We will also visit nearby stone structures and a colonial mansion from 1650, still standing as part of the region’s heritage. The site offers panoramic views of the valley and the surrounding mountains.
Visit to Pikillacta
Next, we will visit Pikillacta, a pre-Inca archaeological site belonging to the Wari culture. The city extends over 50 hectares and contains more than 700 structures made of stone and adobe.
We will walk through its narrow streets and admire its defensive walls, which showcase the early stages of Andean urban planning. This site provides a fascinating contrast between Wari and Inca architectural styles, helping us understand the cultural transition in the Andes.
Visit to Andahuaylillas Church
To conclude our South Valley Tour, we will continue to Andahuaylillas, a picturesque colonial village. Here, we will visit the Church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, known as the “Sistine Chapel of America”.
Inside, we will admire 17th-century paintings, intricate gold-leaf altars, and mural decorations combining Andean and Catholic symbolism. The vivid artwork reflects the cultural fusion of colonial Peru. After our visit, we will return to Cusco, enjoying the peaceful scenery of the South Valley.
03:00 PM. approx.: Arrival in Cusco
We will reach Cusco’s historic center around 3:00 p.m., marking the end of our South Valley Tour Cusco.
Details
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Total distance
45
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Maximum altitude
3,400 msn(Tipón)
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Minimum altitude
3,200
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Route
Cusco – Tipón – Pikillacta – Andahuaylillas – Cusco
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Difficulty
Easy to moderate, suitable for all travelers
Important note: Schedules are for reference only. One day before the tour, our operations team will contact you to reconfirm the schedules.
Inclusions
Recommendations
Frequently asked questions
Hear from Those Who Have Experienced the Magic of Our Tours
+1200
Andrey S.
October 14, 2025
Punctuality, very attentive guide and perfect organization. From the hotel exit, transit by train, lunch schedule and guided tours.
Maria R.
October 12, 2025
A very enriching experience, a lot of history, although it rained that day, was a good for nothing our tour. Our guide was very attentive and professional.
Alejandra C.
October 12, 2025
The tour starts very early type 3-4 am, how good you can sleep on the way, we breakfast in a very good buffet and then depart for the mountain. Here the height is the problem, you can walk up but it requires a lot of condition, the good thing is that there are horses that you can pay and for 90 suns they leave you 15-20 minutes from the top. Wear layered clothes as you can warm up when climbing. We already walk down and the road is much easier. On horseback you go up in 40 minutes, you are on the mountain an hour to take pictures and the return is about 1 hour or so. In the end we still had lunch in the same very rich buffet!
Salvador M
September 19, 2025
I liked the Service and attention I received, plus the quality of the guide who touched us to know the sacred valley on the way to Machu Picchu was first class, with extensive knowledge of the Inca culture and with very good explanation, I highly recommend them.
Sarah E.
October 12, 2025
They were exceptional! Everything very organized, took care of all the details, we hired all the tours, lodging and transfer, we do not regret!
Veronica L.
October 12, 2025
Recommended 💯💯💯
What a beautiful place!!! Most of us went up there on mules. Important to clarify if the person weighs more than 110 kg he will not be able to carry it and will have to walk up . . . It is still very expensive, to have proper footwear
Andrey S.
October 14, 2025
Punctuality, very attentive guide and perfect organization. From the hotel exit, transit by train, lunch schedule and guided tours.
Maria R.
October 12, 2025
A very enriching experience, a lot of history, although it rained that day, was a good for nothing our tour. Our guide was very attentive and professional.
Alejandra C.
October 12, 2025
The tour starts very early type 3-4 am, how good you can sleep on the way, we breakfast in a very good buffet and then depart for the mountain. Here the height is the problem, you can walk up but it requires a lot of condition, the good thing is that there are horses that you can pay and for 90 suns they leave you 15-20 minutes from the top. Wear layered clothes as you can warm up when climbing. We already walk down and the road is much easier. On horseback you go up in 40 minutes, you are on the mountain an hour to take pictures and the return is about 1 hour or so. In the end we still had lunch in the same very rich buffet!
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