South Valley
Duration: Full Day
Group size
1 - 15
Language
Spanish - English
Dificulty
Easy
The tour starts with pick up at the hotel in Cusco between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. and then we head south by bus, enjoying beautiful scenery along the way.
The first stop will be the Tipon Archaeological Site, an Inca ceremonial center where the flow of water from the high peaks of Mount Pachatusan was controlled by a stone canal, bringing water to the lowlands of the valley.
Then, we will visit the archaeological complex of Pikillacta, an ancient walled city of the Wari Empire, one of the most important centers of the Wari culture during its expansion towards Cusco.
Finally, we will conclude the tour by visiting the beautiful Andahuaylillas Church, a small colonial jewel known as the “Sistine Chapel of America”, which houses an impressive collection of canvases, gilded frames, wall paintings and baroque altarpieces, as well as the famous pentalingual door.
Return to Cusco will be around 2:30 p.m.
Itinerary
We will start our tour with hotel pick-up between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Then, we will head south of Cusco by bus, enjoying beautiful landscapes along the way. Our first stop will be the Tipón Archaeological Site, an Inca ceremonial center where water from the high peaks of Nevado Pachatusan was controlled through stone channels to irrigate the lower valley lands.
Next, we will visit the Pikillacta Archaeological Complex, which literally means “city of fleas.” It is an ancient walled city of the Wari Empire, one of the most important regional centers during its expansion toward the city of Cusco.
Finally, we will conclude our tour with a visit to the beautiful Church of Andahuaylillas, a small colonial gem also known as the “Sistine Chapel of America.” Inside, you will find an impressive collection of framed canvases, murals, baroque altars, and more. We will also see the famous pentalingual door.
We will return to Cusco around 2:30 PM.
Places we will visit:
- Tipón
- Pikillacta
- Church of Andahuaylillas (Sistine Chapel of America)
Detailed Schedule:
- 08:00 – 08:30 AM: Hotel pick-up in Cusco
- 08:30 – 09:15 AM: Travel to Tipón.
- 09:15 – 10:30 AM: Visit the Tipón Archaeological Site, famous for its agricultural terraces and Inca water channels.
- 10:30 – 11:00 AM: Travel to Pikillacta.
- 11:00 – 12:00 PM: Visit Pikillacta, a pre-Inca Wari city with impressive stone constructions.
- 12:00 – 12:30 PM: Travel to Andahuaylillas.
- 12:30 – 13:30 PM: Visit the Church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, known as the “Sistine Chapel of America” for its beautiful frescoes and baroque details.
- 01:30 – 02:30 PM: Lunch at a local restaurant (not included in the tour price).
- 02:30 – 03:00 PM: Return trip to Cusco.
- 03:00 – 04:00 PM: Arrival in Cusco and transfer to your hotel.</
Includes
- Tourist transportation
- Professional guide (English – Spanish)
Not Includes
- Entrance fees
- Extra expenses
- Tips
Recommendations
The tourist ticket allows you to access different points of interest in Cusco. You can purchase it before the start of your activity at the Kusikancha Palace, Calle Maruri 340, Cusco, to speed up entry tickets and make the most of your time visiting the sites, or at the first place you visit on your itinerary. There are two types:
Full tourist ticket:
- Peruvians: S/. 70 per person.
- Foreigners: S/. 130 per person.
Partial tourist ticket:
- Peruvians: S/. 40 per person.
- Foreigners: S/. 70 per person.
(Payment is always made in cash, in soles.)
The full tourist ticket is valid for all sites in the three circuits for a period of 10 days, while the partial tourist ticket is valid for only one of the three circuits for a period of one or two days, depending on the circuit. To see the detailed list of places included in each circuit, visit the tourist ticket page.
Frequently Asked Questions
The tour lasts between 6 and 7 hours, starting in the morning and ending in the afternoon.
Bring water, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, camera, raincoat or poncho, and some cash for additional purchases or tips.
Yes, the tour includes a certified tour guide who provides detailed information about each site visited.
Yes, the tour is safe, but it is important to follow the guide’s instructions and keep an eye on your belongings.
Yes, it is recommended to bring a passport or ID, as it may be required to enter some archaeological sites.
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