Name: South Valley of Cusco Tour of half day - Tour Cusco Peru
Brand: CuscoPeru.com
Price: 65 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (1490 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.

SOUTH VALLEY TOUR 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.

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.

Details

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

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

    
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   kit f 
 
 
 
 Verified MACHU PICCHU/ RAINBOW MOUNTAIN Great experience over all! We loved especially John our tour guide in Machu Picchu! Though everyone else was wonderful Yvonne, our city tour guide, Darwin our Sacred Valley Aguas Calientes tour guide and Henry our Rainbow mountain tour guide,they are all awesome! It was a very smooth process from picking us up from the airport to dropping as off ! Would highly recommend CuscoPeru .com and Efrain did great on coordinating everything. We did 5days 4 nights MACHU PICCHU / RAINBOW MOUNTAIN Tour!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Aline K 
 
 
 
 Verified Tudo perfeito Eu e meu marido adoramos o passeio. Tudo ocorreu muito bem desde a reserva que fiz diretamente com a Cusco Peru ainda no Brasil. Fui muito bem atendida pelo whatsapp. No dia anterior a visita a Macchu Picchu, Effrain foi ao nosso hotel, explicar todo o itinerário detalhadamente. No dia do passeio nosso motorista, Rosel, estava na porta do hotel pontualmente para nos deixar na estação de trem. De lá seguimos até Águas Calientes onde encontramos nossa guia Maria. Fomos muito bem direcionados e também muito bem recebidos por todos os colaboradores da empresa. Também ganhamos brindes para guardar de recordação.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   macathy d 
 
 
 
 Verified history and culture We had an amazing experience with Cuscoperu Our guide EFRAIN was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the tour really enjoyable. Everything was well organized, and we visited some incredible places. I especially loved Machu Pichu and Rainbow Mountain. EFRAIN was professional and easy to communicate with. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Cusco Peru.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Irena K 
 
 
 
 Verified Great trip, great experience! The whole trip was wonderful experience and Efrain did excellent job taking care of everything. Trip program was very busy but we were able to see a lots of sites. Highly recommended!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Daniela P 
 
 
 
 Verified Recomendación Increíble experiencia, gracias por hacer de este viaje algo inolvidable. Nos vamos muy contentos y lo recomendaremos a todos nuestros amigos.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Ken D 
 
 
 
 Verified Cusco & Machu Picchu It was very well done. CuscoPeru did a fantastic job with my tour. Efrain picked me up on time at the airport. Both Julio and Henry did a great job with super information the first 2 days. The buffet lunch the tour provided was top shelf, including sushi. On day 3 Eddy did a wonderful job explaining all of Machu Picchu. My tour was for Circuit 1, but he somehow managed to get me on Circuit 3 as well. It was a day I will never forget. All hotel accommodations were very comfortable. I would recommend this tour to anyone
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Sunny 
 
 
 
 Verified Highly recommended The trip was great! Our driver Roselito picked us up from the hotel and was very knowledgeable in the history of region, took us on the scenic route. Once we got on the train, it included snacks and drinks (water, coffee, or tea). Once we got to Aguascalientes, we were met by our tour guide Renato and Norma. Norma made sure we met our tour guide Renato, and made sure we got on the bus. Once we arrived at the entrance of Machu Pichu, we were met by our tour guide Renato. It was a pleasant experience. Pictures don’t do the site justice. Our tour guide Renato gave us an overview of the site and significance of the layout. I highly recommend booking with the company, and if possible make sure you get Roselito as your driver from Cusco to the train station.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Karen D 
 
 
 
 Verified Fun and exciting! I had a custom 9-day tour. I told the booking agents the things I wanted see and do in Peru and they came up with an itinerary. I really enjoyed all the day trips and when I needed to make an adjustment during the tour, Efrain (my coordinator) was right on it. He was always available to answer my questions, which really made me feel comfortable travelling alone. Also, the tour guides and drivers were very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. I highly recommend CuscoPeru to anyone who wants interesting/fun tours and/or needs a little assistance in planning what to do!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   ptlyogesh 
 
 
 
 Verified Spring vacation Great communication and good tours
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Georgeta R 
 
 
 
 Verified Cusco Peru-equipo que hace orgulloso un pais Elegí Cusco Peru por que Maria estaba siempre para aclarar mis dudas. Todos que nos atendiron,Rosa,John,Rosel,y los chicos que nos llevaban en coche,son personas muy bien preparadas,educadas,puntuales. Un 10 para todos! Recomiendo sin duda ❤️❤️❤️

South Valley tour Cusco prices

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

Tour options

SOUTH VALLEY TOUR CUSCO - GROUP SERVICE
PRICE PER PERSON - Minimum 02 passengers

US$ 65

-

SOUTH VALLEY TOUR CUSCO - PRIVATE SERVICE
PRICE PER PERSON - Minimum 02 passengers

-

US$ 145

Are 4 or more people traveling?

We can offer a special rate for your group.

Ask about group rates

South Valley tour Cusco gallery

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

Tipon's Inca water hydraulic circuit
Sistine Church South Valley Cusco
Internal view of the Andahuaylillas Church
Piquillacta, a pre-Inca city of the Wari culture.
Tipon terraces, a center of Inca agricultural experimentation

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.