What’s Included
- Shared transportation: Comfortable tourist vehicle for the entire tour.
- Professional guide: Bilingual (Spanish – English).
- Assistance: First aid kit.
- Return: Drop-off transfer back to Cusco city center.
South Valley of Cusco: Pikillaqta, Tipón and Andahuaylillas
Cusco South Valley Tour: Tipón, Pikillaqta & Andahuaylillas
Explore the magical South Valley of Cusco, an area rich in history, architecture, and breathtaking landscapes that reveal the cultural transition among the Incas, the Wari civilization, and the colonial era. This half-day tour takes you to three unmissable highlights: the hydraulic engineering marvel of Tipón, the pre-Inca city of Pikillaqta, and the stunning church of Andahuaylillas, famously known as the “Sistine Chapel of Peru.”
You will also admire Rumicolca, an ancient monumental stone gateway that once served as a territorial boundary and administrative checkpoint. It is an ideal tour for travelers looking for archaeology, colonial art, and living traditions in an enriching experience.
Places You Will Visit
- Tipón: An Inca archaeological complex globally renowned for its flawless agricultural terraces and advanced hydraulic channel system that still flows today.
- Pikillaqta: A sprawling pre-Inca city belonging to the Wari culture, notable for its symmetrical geometric architecture and straight grid streets.
- Andahuaylillas Church: A masterpiece of Andean Baroque art, celebrated for its intricate murals, gold-leaf altars, and remarkable artistic beauty.
- Rumicolca: An ancient monumental stone wall and gateway that served as a strategic checkpoint and southern entrance to the Inca Empire.
Cusco South Valley Tour Itinerary
Cusco South Valley Tour Route
Departure Times
Half Day: 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
8:30–9:00 AM
Hotel Pick-up
Our transport will pick you up from your accommodation in Cusco between 8:30 and 9:00 AM to begin this journey through the historic South Valley.
2
Tipón
Tipón Archaeological Complex
We will explore this majestic Inca complex renowned for its impressive agricultural terraces, ceremonial baths, and hydraulic channels that continue to flow more than 500 years later.
3
Pikillaqta
Visit to Pikillaqta
We head to this sprawling pre-Inca city belonging to the Wari culture. It features over a thousand structures, grid-planned streets, and buildings that reached up to four stories high.
4
Andahuaylillas
Andahuaylillas Church
You will visit the celebrated “Sistine Chapel of Peru,” a masterpiece of colonial religious art adorned with detailed murals, gold-leaf altarpieces, and paintings illustrating the region’s spiritual heritage.
5
Saylla
Lunch in Saylla (Optional)
A brief stop in Saylla to enjoy traditional regional cuisine, especially the famous pork chicharrones.
Note: lunch is not included.
2:00 PM
Return to Cusco – Tour End
We conclude the excursion with drop-off at a central location near Cusco’s Plaza de Armas.
What is Included and Not Included – Cusco South Valley Tour
Not Included
- Personal expenses.
- Entrance tickets to Tipón, Pikillaqta, and Andahuaylillas.
- Food and drinks (such as the optional lunch in Saylla).
- Tips (optional).
Additional Details – Cusco South Valley Tour
Route Profile & Altitude
- Unique Historical Transition: It is the only circuit connecting three key eras in a single day: Inca hydraulic engineering in Tipón, pre-Inca Wari urban planning in Pikillaqta, and colonial Baroque art in Andahuaylillas.
- Lower, More Favorable Altitude: Unlike other circuits around Cusco, the South Valley descends into more temperate valleys (Andahuaylillas sits at around 3,122 m / 10,242 ft above sea level), making it ideal for your first days of acclimatization.
- Documents: Bring your physical original passport or national ID to validate your admission at the archaeological sites.
Local Flavor & Gastronomic Stop
- Traditional Pork Chicharrones: On the return drive, the tour passes through Saylla, renowned for its local culinary heritage. You will have the option to make a stop and taste the traditional pork chicharrones (optional lunch, not included).
- Cash is Essential: Carry cash in Peruvian soles (and small change) to cover this optional meal, admission tickets, and souvenir purchases.
Rules in Andahuaylillas & Admission Fees
- Photography Strictly Prohibited Inside: To safeguard the priceless 17th-century murals and gold-leaf altarpieces of the “Sistine Chapel of Peru,” taking photos or recording video inside the church is strictly forbidden.
- Entrance Fee: Admission to the Andahuaylillas church costs S/ 20 and is paid directly in cash at the entrance (not covered by the Tourist Ticket).
What to Bring & Accessibility
- Footwear & Terrain: Walking along the terraces of Tipón and the geometric stone pathways of Pikillaqta involves dirt and uneven stone; wear comfortable walking shoes or sneakers with good grip.
- Sun Protection: The South Valley is known for bright, open skies. Don’t forget your sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen, and a light windbreaker jacket.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cusco South Valley Tour
Find answers to common questions about the itinerary, entrance ticket costs, altitude, and recommendations for this historic route.
What places are visited on the South Valley Tour and why is it so popular?
The tour includes visits to the Inca hydraulic complex of Tipón, the pre-Inca Wari city of Pikillaqta, the beautiful Andahuaylillas Church (known as the “Sistine Chapel of Peru”), and a panoramic view of the Rumicolca wall. It is especially popular because it blends Inca archaeology, pre-Inca urban planning, and colonial Baroque art along a single route.
How long does the tour last and what is the schedule?
It is a half-day tour lasting approximately 5.5 hours. It typically begins with hotel pick-up in the historic center between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM, concluding back in Cusco around 2:00 PM.
How much are the entrance tickets and what must be paid separately?
Entrance tickets are not included in the base tour rate. You will need:
- Tourist Ticket: Partial S/ 70 or Full Circuit S/ 130 (covers Tipón and Pikillaqta).
- Andahuaylillas Church: S/ 20 per person (paid directly in cash at the church entrance).
Is this a good tour for the first day or to prevent altitude sickness?
Yes, absolutely! Unlike other circuits around Cusco that rise above 3,700 meters (12,140 ft), the South Valley descends toward valleys with a more moderate elevation (Andahuaylillas sits at around 3,122 m / 10,242 ft). This makes it an ideal, gentle excursion to help you acclimatize during your first days.
Does the tour include lunch, or is there somewhere to eat along the way?
As this is a half-day tour that concludes around 2:00 PM, lunch is not included. However, on the return drive, an optional stop is made in the town of Saylla, a destination famous for authentic Cusco-style fried pork chicharrones (meals not included).
Can the South Valley be visited independently using public transportation?
Yes, it is possible by catching local minivans (combis) heading toward Urcos from Av. de la Cultura, but coordinating transportation between Tipón, Pikillaqta, and Andahuaylillas leg-by-leg takes significantly more time, is tiring, and is rather impractical. Therefore, a guided tour with private tourist transport remains the most comfortable and reliable choice.
Why is it called the “Sistine Chapel of Peru” and are photos allowed inside?
It earned this nickname due to the incredible splendor of its 17th-century murals, ornate wood ceilings, and gold-leaf altarpieces. Under strict conservation guidelines to preserve these priceless colonial treasures, taking photos or recording video inside the church is strictly prohibited.
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