South Valley Tour from Cusco: Tipón, Pikillaqta and Andahuaylillas
Half Day
Up to 16 travelers
3,450 m / 11,319 ft
Easy
Overview
The South Valley tour is a half-day trip from Cusco to three sites that cover three eras of Andean history: the Inca terraces and fountains of Tipón, the pre-Inca Wari city of Pikillaqta and the colonial village of Andahuaylillas. It is an easy outing at roughly the same altitude as Cusco and a quieter alternative to the busier routes north of the city, ideal for your first days in Cusco or after you have seen the Sacred Valley.
Highlights of the South Valley
- Tipón: an Inca complex of aqueducts, ceremonial fountains, farming terraces and enclosures in the community of Choquepata, district of Oropesa (Andina). The official Cusco Tourist Ticket office (COSITUC) notes that its channels and fountains still carry water today.
- Pikillaqta: a city built by the Wari culture, which developed between about AD 600 and 1000, some 32 km (20 mi) from Cusco (Andina). Its long straight walls and planned blocks look nothing like Inca stonework, which makes the contrast with Tipón easy to see.
- Andahuaylillas: a village about 35 km (22 mi) south-east of Cusco whose church of San Pedro Apóstol is known as the “Sistine Chapel of America” for the murals and gold-leaf altarpieces that cover its interior. It belongs to the Andean Baroque Route (Andina).
What's Included
Included 5
- Pre-tour coordination
- Professional bilingual guide
- Round-trip tourist transport
- First-aid kit and emergency oxygen
- Small-group assistance
Not Included 4
- Tourist entrance fees unless expressly stated
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and tips
- Services or activities not described in the itinerary
What Should You Bring? 7
- Passport or ID
- Water
- Sun protection
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Warm layers
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Small amount of cash
Itinerary
1
Tipón
Cusco – Tipón
Pickup in Cusco and drive south-east to the Tipón archaeological park in Oropesa. Guided walk through the Inca terraces, aqueducts and ceremonial fountains, whose channels still carry water.
2
Pikillaqta
Tipón – Pikillaqta
Short drive to Pikillaqta, a city of the Wari culture built centuries before the Inca expansion. Walk along its straight streets and adobe-and-stone walls while the guide compares Wari urban planning with what you saw at Tipón.
3
Andahuaylillas
Pikillaqta – Andahuaylillas – Cusco
Continue to the village of Andahuaylillas and its church of San Pedro Apóstol, known for its murals and gold-leaf altarpieces. Then return to Cusco.
Good to know
Difficulty and altitude
Difficulty is easy. The highest point of the tour is about 3,450 m (11,319 ft), close to Cusco’s 3,439 m (11,283 ft), and Andahuaylillas sits lower, at 3,121 m (10,240 ft). Walking is limited to the paths, steps and terraces inside each site. If you have just arrived, take it slowly and read our guide to altitude sickness in Cusco.
Who this tour is for
It suits history lovers, families and travelers who want to see Inca, pre-Inca and colonial heritage in a single morning or afternoon without a long drive. Because it stays near Cusco’s altitude, it also works as a gentle day before higher excursions.
Best time to go
The sites are outdoors except for the church. The dry season, roughly May to October, brings the most stable weather in the Cusco region (Andina); in the wetter months carry a rain jacket and expect slippery steps at Tipón.
What to bring
Passport or ID, water, sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, warm layers, a rain jacket or poncho and some cash in soles for entrance tickets and personal expenses.
Good to know
- Tipón and Pikillaqta are covered by the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico del Cusco). According to the official COSITUC tariff, the partial circuit II ticket costs S/ 70 for foreign visitors and is valid for 2 days; the full ticket costs S/ 130 and is valid for 10 days. The Andahuaylillas church is not on the tourist ticket.
- The tourist ticket is sold in person only and is issued in your name, so carry your ID.
- Weather, road conditions and site schedules may require the guide to change the order of visits without removing the main experience.
- Travel insurance, personal expenses and tips are not included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which sites does the South Valley tour visit?
Three: the Inca complex of Tipón, the Wari city of Pikillaqta and the village of Andahuaylillas with its church of San Pedro Apóstol. They show Inca, pre-Inca and colonial heritage in one half-day trip.
How difficult is the tour?
Easy. The highest point is about 3,450 m (11,319 ft), close to Cusco’s altitude, and walking is limited to paths and steps inside each site. Tipón has stairs between terraces, so take them at your own pace.
Do I need to acclimatize first?
The route is manageable for most travelers, but a relaxed first day in Cusco is helpful if you have just arrived at altitude. See our altitude sickness guide for symptoms and prevention.
Which entrance tickets do I need?
Tipón and Pikillaqta are on circuit II of the Cusco Tourist Ticket: S/ 70 for foreign visitors, valid for 2 days, or the full ticket at S/ 130, valid for 10 days (official COSITUC tariff). The Andahuaylillas church is not on the tourist ticket. Contact us before booking to confirm whether entrance fees are covered by your tour price.
Where can I buy the Cusco Tourist Ticket?
According to COSITUC it is sold in person only, at its central counter on Avenida El Sol and at the ticket offices of the included sites. It is issued in your name, so bring your passport or ID.
How does it compare with the Sacred Valley tour?
The South Valley tour is a half day from USD 45 with three sites and fewer crowds. Our Sacred Valley Tour 1 Day is a full day from USD 70, and the Chinchero, Moray and Maras tour is another half-day option from USD 45 north-west of Cusco.
When is the best time to go?
The tour runs in both seasons. The dry season, roughly May to October, has the most stable weather in the Cusco region (Andina). In the rainy months bring a rain jacket and good-grip shoes.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes. Weather, road conditions, community access and attraction schedules may require the guide to adjust the order without removing the main experience.
