Name: South Valley of Cusco Tour of half day - Tour Cusco Peru
Brand: CuscoPeru.com
Price: 65 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (1600 reviews)

South Valley Tour Cusco

CuscoPeru.com invites you to explore three places south of the city that represent different periods of regional history. The South Valley tour Cusco route combines Inca hydraulic engineering at Tipon, Wari urban planning at Pikillaqta, and colonial religious art inside the church of Andahuaylillas.

The tour lasts approximately five hours and begins with hotel pickup at around 9:00 a.m. Your first visit is Tipon, known as the Temple of Water for its agricultural terraces and stone-carved channels. You will then continue to Pikillaqta, one of Peru's best-preserved pre-Inca cities. The final stop is Andahuaylillas and its church, often called the Sistine Chapel of the Americas.

This Cusco South Valley tour includes transportation to and from your hotel, transfers between the sites, entrance tickets, and an English- and Spanish-speaking guide. Return to Cusco is expected at approximately 2:30 p.m. Meals are not included.

Highlights

Visit Tipon's terraces, stairways, and stone-carved water channels.
Learn about Inca hydraulic engineering and the site's connection with water worship.
Explore Pikillaqta, a pre-Inca city associated with the Wari culture.
Visit the church of Andahuaylillas and see its colonial religious artwork.
Transportation, entrance tickets, and an English- and Spanish-speaking guide.
An approximately five-hour departure from Cusco.

Itinerary

Day 1

Tipon Pikillaqta and Andahuaylillas

Approximately 5 hours · Hotel pickup around 9:00 a.m. · Tipon · Pikillaqta · Andahuaylillas Church · Return to Cusco around 2:30 p.m.

Facade of Andahuaylillas Church during a South Valley tour in Cusco.

Ancient stone walls and pathways at Pikillacta on a Cusco South Valley tour.

Hotel pickup and departure from Cusco

The Tipon Pikillacta Andahuaylillas tour begins with pickup from your Cusco hotel at approximately 9:00 a.m. You will then travel about 40 minutes southwest of the city to begin the visits. Times are approximate and may vary with traffic and the pace of the tour.

Visit to the Tipon archaeological site

The first stop is Tipon, located approximately 25 kilometers from Cusco. This archaeological site is also known as the Temple of Water. Its agricultural terraces, long stairways, and stone-carved channels demonstrate Inca hydraulic engineering.

Tipon has thirteen terraces surrounded by polished stone walls. During the visit, you will see its royal enclosures and areas associated with water worship. The short description on the page also identifies the site as part of the Qhapaq Ñan route.

Walk through Pikillaqta

The route continues to the Pikillaqta Archaeological Center. The site dates to the pre-Inca period and is associated with the Wari culture. According to the page, it covers approximately 50 hectares and is one of Peru's best-preserved cities from that period.

The name Pikillaqta comes from the Quechua words piki and llaqta. The page gives Town of Fleas and Small Town as possible translations. Your guide will explain the settlement and its place in the history of the South Valley.

Andahuaylillas Church

The final stop is the traditional town of Andahuaylillas, approximately 36 kilometers from Cusco. You will visit its church, known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas for its woodwork, paintings, and colonial decorations extending from floor to ceiling.

Inside the baptistery, an arch bears a religious inscription written in Latin, Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, and Puquina. Admission to the church is included.

Return to Cusco

After visiting Andahuaylillas, you will begin the drive back to the city. Arrival at your hotel is expected at approximately 2:30 p.m. This time may vary with traffic and the duration of each visit.

What's included?

Included

Transportation to and from your Cusco hotel.
Entrance to Andahuaylillas Church.
Admission to all tourist sites included in the itinerary.
Transfers between the listed sites.
English- and Spanish-speaking guide.

Not included

Meals.
Services not mentioned in the program.

Recommendations

Light backpack.
Cash, preferably Peruvian soles.
Comfortable or athletic clothing.
Windbreaker jacket.
Sneakers or comfortable walking shoes.
Sunscreen.
Water bottle.
Sunglasses.
Camera.

What's included?

What is included?

Transportation to and from your Cusco hotel.
Entrance to Andahuaylillas Church.
Admission to all tourist sites included in the itinerary.
Transfers between the listed sites.
English- and Spanish-speaking guide.

What is not included?

Meals.
Services not mentioned in the program.

What should you bring?

Light backpack.
Cash, preferably Peruvian soles.
Comfortable or athletic clothing.
Windbreaker jacket.
Sneakers or comfortable walking shoes.
Sunscreen.
Water bottle.
Sunglasses.
Camera.

Route map

The route is for reference only and may vary slightly.

South Valley tour Cusco prices

Choose between group and private service. Prices are preserved from the current page code and are shown per person.

South Valley tour Cusco

Price per person - Minimum 02 passengers

US$ 65

US$ 145

Are 4 or more people traveling?

We can offer a special rate for your group.

Ask about group rates

Traveler story from the South Valley tour Cusco

A tour through Cusco’s South Valley with Bruce

I had the opportunity to take the five-hour tour through Cusco’s South Valley, and it was an experience I enjoyed from the very beginning. Before the trip, I had several questions, but Eduardo was always available to answer them kindly and help me with every detail of the organization. The tour ran smoothly and on time, which allowed me to focus on enjoying the journey and discovering an area of Cusco filled with beautiful landscapes, history, and very special traditions.

During the tour, the guide accompanied me and shared his knowledge in a friendly and engaging way. At every stop, there was something different to discover, and the excellent organization allowed me to make the most of my time. I am grateful to Eduardo and the entire team at CuscoPeru.com for their attention and professionalism. I really enjoyed the tour and would definitely recommend this experience.

Bruce

Feb. 2022

More reviews from our passengers

    
 
 
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   Poonyaweera T 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing service, highly recommend!
Amazing service! Javier was very responsive to help with coordination and went above and beyond. Our Machu Picchu tour was amazing, we received a great guide and all transportation methods were very easy to get to.
  
 
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   Gabriela Z 
 
 
 
 Verified Excellent service from CuscoPeru.
Excellent experience with Cuscoperu.com. The hotels were very well located and had a good price/quality ratio. The service and organization were excellent.
  
 
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   Alejandra C 
 
 
 
 Verified CuscoMachuPichu
CuscoPeru Agency, everything was excellent from the transfers, hotels, and tours and excursions, highly recommended
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Ada A 
 
 
 
 Verified EXCELLENT
It was a sensational experience. Highly recommended for those who wish to visit Cusco; you will always have the assistance of the entire Cuscoperú team.
  
 
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   Celso Augusto S 
 
 
 
 Verified Private tour very with
It was an incredible experience
  
 
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   Efrain C 
 
 
 
 Verified Reliable and safe tours.
Pleasant experience, without any setbacks from the operator, I took 3 tours with them in Cusco and all 3 were very professional.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Darryl B 
 
 
 
 Verified Machu Picchu experience
It was a great weekend. The Cusco tour and Machu Picchu tours were amazing. All the guides and drivers were very friendly. The schedule had enough time so we did not miss anything. Good communication from the company as well.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Bere F 
 
 
 
 Verified The best experience in Peru
Excellent service, attentive to our itineraries the whole time. Very trustworthy if you are planning a trip for women or by yourself!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Judith Z 
 
 
 
 Verified Wonder of the world
It was a very nice experience; EFRAIN organized our entire tour, he cared about and organized every detail, always concerned from the moment they picked us up at the hotel until we arrived back. Very good service from the people who transported us and the guide at Machu Picchu was excellent. Recommended 1000%... thank you for making our anniversary an unforgettable day.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Tomás A 
 
 
 
 Verified Unbeatable service
Everything excellent. 100% recommended

South Valley tour Cusco gallery

View images of Andahuaylillas and Pikillaqta, two of the stops included in this tour.

Andahuaylillas Church with stone crosses on a South Valley half day tour.

Interior of Andahuaylillas Church with religious murals and a gilded altar.

Stone walls and stairways at Pikillacta during a Tipon Pikillacta Andahuaylillas tour.

Inca agricultural terraces at Tipon surrounded by mountains in Cusco's South Valley.

Ancient Inca hydraulic system featuring stone canals and flowing water at Tipon.

Frequently asked questions about the South Valley tour Cusco

Find clear answers about schedules, entrance fees, meals, the sites visited, and what to bring.

What time will you pick me up and how long is the tour?

Pickup is scheduled for approximately 9:00 a.m., with return around 2:30 p.m. The tour lasts about five hours. Times may change slightly with traffic and the length of each visit.

Do I need to buy any additional entrance tickets?

No. The published service includes admission to the tourist sites on the itinerary and to Andahuaylillas Church. We will confirm that these conditions remain in place for your travel date before you book.

Are breakfast or lunch included?

Meals are not included. We recommend eating breakfast before pickup and carrying water. If you plan to have lunch after the tour, keep in mind that return is expected at approximately 2:30 p.m.

How are Tipon and Pikillaqta different?

Tipon is an Inca site known for its terraces and water channels. Pikillaqta dates to the pre-Inca period and is associated with the Wari culture. Visiting both allows you to compare two different periods and building traditions.

What will I see inside Andahuaylillas Church?

The church contains carved wood, paintings, and colonial decorations extending from floor to ceiling. In the baptistery, you can also see an arch with an inscription in Latin, Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, and Puquina.

What should I bring for this five-hour tour?

Bring comfortable clothing and shoes, a windbreaker, sunscreen, sunglasses, water, and a light backpack. It is also useful to carry cash in Peruvian soles for expenses not included in the service.