South Valley Cusco half day

To get out of the routine, we recommend this tour that will take you to visit small traditional villages like Andahuaylillas and its Sistine Chapel of America. In the middle of nature, you will find archaeological sites more than 1000 years old. You will discover the cultural, artistic and architectural riches of the south of Cusco. Therefore, we recommend that you enjoy this adventure without worries and leave everything in our hands!

• Departures: Every day. 
• Duration: Half day (8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.).
• Maximum altitude: Tipon Archaeological Center (3,560 masl).
• Trip style: Short hikes and travel by tourist transport.
• Difficulty level: Easy.
• Type of tour: Cultural/Historical.
• Service: Group,Private.
• Location: Province of Quispicanchi. Cusco.

SHORT ITINERARY

Cusco - Tipon - Andahuylillas -Pikillacta - Cusco

• 8:30 am pick up from the hotel or from a central point of the city.
• Transfer in our tourist transport to the main attractions.
• Guided tour: Tipon Archaeological Park, Sistine Chapel of America in Andahuaylillas and Pikillacta Archaeological Complex.
• Stop to buy "traditional bread" in Oropesa.
• 14:00 hrs Return to Cusco. 

Note: The times indicated are only for reference.

Half day: Cusco - Tipon - Andahuaylillas -Pikillacta - Cusco

We will start this tour, at the agreed time, from our meeting point. You must to consider that we will make a guided tour in each of the points of this tour. In our tourist transport we will go to the South Valley of Cusco. A few minutes after leaving the city, we will be able to observe the multicolored landscapes and traditional villages found in this area. We will continue on route until we reach the Tipon town.

Here, we will find the Tipon Archaeological Park (3,316 masl), well known for its architecture and hydraulic engineering that has been preserved since the time of the Incas. Here you will have the opportunity to appreciate the ceremonial water fountains and irrigation canals that work perfectly until today. This attraction is also considered a center of agricultural experimentation.

Then, we will continue to the archaeological site of Pikillacta (3,250 meters above sea level) that belonged to the Wari Culture. This pre-Inca citadel stands out for its constructions, squares and straight streets.  

And they are known as the first urban planners in the Andes. At this point we can also enjoy the nature and the warm climate that this part of the valley offers us. We will continue in our transportation to Andahuaylillas village (3,121 masl).

This cozy village still preserves much of the Inca and colonial architecture in its streets and houses. Here, we will find one of the treasures of the "Andean Baroque Route", the Sistine Chapel of America. The facade, its walls and ceiling are adorned with mural paintings that are almost as old as this enclosure, has altarpieces carved in wood covered with gold leaf and an infinity of canvases of the Cusquenian School. At this point you can learn about the process of evangelization in the Andes through art.

On our return trip, we will make a stop in Oropesa town(3,110 masl), also known as the "National Capital of Bread", where we can buy the famous "Pan Chuta". It is a large, disc-shaped bread with a delicious sweet taste. After this short stop, we will continue on route to the city of Cusco.

To learn more about the places that we will visit. we leave you this information:

ANDAHUAYLILLAS

In the main square of this town, is the Church of San Pedro Apostle of Andahuaylillas, better known as the "Sistine Chapel of America". The reason for this name is because the facade, walls and ceiling are adorned with religious mural paintings, with Arab, Spanish and Andean influences. In this church the baroque style predominates and it is believed that its construction culminated at the beginning of the XVII century. In spite of its age, it is one of the best preserved artistic jewels in the heart of the Andes.

The church houses an endless number of treasures, including a group of canvases of the Cusco School and musical organs of great antiquity. It also has altars, altarpieces and other structures carved in wood and covered with gold leaf. This gives them that intense golden color. 

• Location: 41 km / 24 miles from Cusco.
• Altitude: 3,121 masl.

PIKILLACTA

It is one of the oldest and best preserved citadels of Cusco, built approximately in 750 A.D., it belonged to the pre-Inca Wari culture and its name means "Town of Fleas" or "Small Town". Its buildings are made of stone and adobe, some of its walls can measure up to 12 meters high. Separated by well-aligned streets, it has urban and religious areas, as well as a well-organized road system. Some of its most important enclosures are covered with plaster. 

The Pikillacta Archaeological Complex currently coexists in harmony with extensive natural areas, since it is located in an approximate area of 50 hectares. This makes it a perfect destination to enjoy history and nature. It is worth mentioning that on the route to this place you can see the Huacarpay Lagoon.

• Location: 30 km / 19 miles from Cusco.
• Altitude: 3,250 masl.

TIPON

It is an Inca archaeological center that would have served as a center of agricultural experimentation and sacred place where water was worshiped. It has terraces, adapted to the geography of the area, irrigated by canals and aqueducts built with great skill in stone, where water is transported from the mountains. There are also royal enclosures, water fountains, gardens, a viewpoint from where you can see the western part of Cusco. It is considered a "Wonder of Civil Engineering" by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

The walk through these ancient terraces and water channels that are outdoors, connect you with the positive energy that emanates from this place. Not for nothing is it said that the waters flowing in this center provide you with eternal life. 

• Location: 23 km / 14 miles from Cusco.
• Altitude: 3,316 masl.

Note: The times indicated are only for reference.

OPTIONAL

We leave you these options that you can add to the South Valley Cusco Tour:

PRIVATE SERVICE: 

HUASAO WETLAND

It is a natural area of ecological character and currently recreational, where there are impressive sculptures of between 4 and 5 meters, carved in wood. With the theme of the films "The Lord of the Rings", "Guardians of the Galaxy", which highlights the gigantic "Groot" or "Baby Groot", among other interesting figures. You can also appreciate small lagoons, as well as the flora and fauna of this area. It is a place with natural landscapes that will help you get away from the noise of the city.

TEMPLE OF HUARO

The temple of San Juan Bautista de Huaro, is another of the treasures found in the Andes of Cusco. Its walls and ceiling are adorned with paintings that mix the cosmovision of the Andean world with the Catholicism of the Spaniards. Inside you can find more than 50 pieces of paintings and sculptures of the Cusco School. Together with the "Sistine Chapel of America" - Andahuaylillas and the Chapel of the Purified Virgin of Canincunca, they form the "Route of the Andean Baroque".

JURASSIC PARK

The Oropesa town is known as the "National Capital of Bread", where you can enjoy this product fresh from the oven. At this point there is also the famous Jurassic Park, which is a large recreational area where you can find scale models of dinosaurs.

GASTRONOMY

This is one of the routes where you can appreciate much of the gastronomy of Cusco. You can try the traditional Cuy al Horno (roasted guinea pig) in Tipon town or the delicious Chicharrón de Chancho (Pork fried) in Saylla town, among other typical dishes.

For more information about these options, please contact us. We will be happy to customize your trip: 

INCLUDED:

• Tourist transportation during the route.
• Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English).

NOT INCLUDED:

• Entrance tickets to the church of Andahuaylillas, Pikillacta and Tipon.
• Please note that prices may vary according to your nationality or other conditions.
• Meals.
• Tips.
• Travel insurance.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

What should we bring for our trip?

In our South Valley Cusco Tour, we can find varied climates for that reason we recommend you to bring:

General:

• Passport or Identification Document.
• Comfortable walking shoes.
• Light backpack to carry personal belongings. 
• Cell phone/camera.
• Personal snacks.
• Personal medication.
• Mosquito repellent.

For the cold or rain:

• Warm clothing.
• Waterproof clothing/rain poncho.

For sun:

• Sunscreen.
• Sunglasses.
• Hat.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Here are some recommendations to consider before your tour to the South Valley of Cusco.

• This route is recommended for people who love colonial art, painting and history.
• Before your tour to Machu Picchu, Humantay Lake or rainbow Mountain. This is an option for you to acclimatize to the city of Cusco. Being a little traveled route, it allows you to enjoy more of the trip, while you know all the wonders of the South Valley of Cusco.
• To visit the archaeological sites, it is necessary to have your entrance tickets, since at each of these points you will be asked for these passes.
• Most of the tour will be done in our tourist transport. Therefore, the hikes will not be very long and you will not need to have previous physical preparation.
• Unlike other tours, this trip can be done all year round. Although you should take the necessary precautions during the rainy season from November to March.
• It is a tour that is recommended for children and adults. Because the degree of difficulty is minimal.

Group service: 25 usd per person,  you wil join a group tour, it could be bilingual languaje.

Private service: the price depend of the number of people.