Starts at
Starts at
Trip Overview
The South Valley Tour Cusco is a half-day route for travelers who want to see a different side of Cusco, beyond the city center and the usual Sacred Valley road.
This route goes south of Cusco to Tipon, Pikillaqta, and Andahuaylillas. In only a few hours, you see Inca water engineering, a pre-Inca Wari city, colonial religious art, small towns, mountain views, lagoons, and local food traditions.
The South Valley was one of the earliest inhabited areas around Cusco. Long before the Incas, people connected to the Marcavalle culture lived in this valley. Later, the Wari and the Incas left strong traces through cities, walls, canals, terraces, and sacred spaces.
With Machu Picchu Gol Travel, the tour includes hotel pickup, tourist transport, professional guide, route coordination, and return to your hotel or a nearby accessible point in Cusco.
This is a good option for travelers who want a light half-day trip with history, archaeology, local villages, and the chance to try cuy al horno, one of Cusco’s most traditional dishes.
Tour at a Glance
Ends at
Ends at
Duration
Duration
From
US$ 100
Deposit
6%
Travel staff
Local Guide
Transport
by Bus
Accommodation
Accomodation
Departures
Daily Departures
Season
All year
Meals
1B, 1L, 1D
Physical level
Easy
Max altitude
15,090 feet (4,600 meters)
Sites to visit
Cusco, Soraypampa
Day by Day Schedule
Day highlight: Seeing Inca water engineering, a Wari city, and one of the most important colonial churches near Cusco in one half-day route.
The tour begins with pickup from your hotel in Cusco. The usual meeting time is between 8:50 AM and 9:00 AM, depending on your hotel location, traffic, and confirmed departure time.
From Cusco, the transport heads south toward Tipon, located at around 3,500 m / 11,483 ft. Tipon is often linked to Inca water worship and agricultural planning. The site has terraces, stone channels, fountains, and water systems that still show the technical skill of Inca builders.
The water comes from the Pachatusan Mountain area and moves through carefully built channels. Your guide explains how the Incas used slopes, stonework, and water flow to irrigate the terraces. The walk through Tipon is not long, but there are steps, stone paths, and uneven ground.
After Tipon, the route continues by van to Pikillaqta, located at around 3,350 m / 10,991 ft. This was a pre-Inca city built by the Wari culture between approximately 700 and 900 AD. Unlike Inca sites, Pikillaqta has a different urban layout, with long walls, straight streets, and a planned structure that shows the power of the Wari civilization before the Incas controlled Cusco.
From the Pikillaqta area, you can also see Huacarpay Lagoon and the surrounding valley. Nearby, there are also remains linked to Rumiqolqa, an old gate and quarry area associated with Inca construction and control.
The final main stop is Andahuaylillas, a town known for the Saint Peter Church. From the outside, the church has a simple adobe appearance, but inside it holds gold-leaf altars, murals, religious paintings, and works related to the Cusco School of Art. Because of its interior art, it is often called the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas.”
On the way back to Cusco, there may be an optional food stop in Tipon to try cuy al horno, a traditional baked guinea pig dish from the Cusco region, or pork chicharrones. This lunch is not included and is paid directly by the traveler.
The tour usually finishes in Cusco around 2:30 PM, with drop-off at your hotel or a nearby accessible point depending on street access.
Technical details
- Meals: Not included; optional lunch stop available
- Difficulty: Easy
- Walking level: Light walking with stairs, stone paths, and uneven ground
- Transport: Tourist van
- Tour duration: Approx. 6 hours
- Main sites: Tipon, Pikillaqta, Andahuaylillas
- Recommended gear: Comfortable shoes, warm layer, sun protection, water, camera, and cash in soles
Places You Will See
Tipon
Tipon is an Inca archaeological site located south of Cusco. It is known for its terraces, fountains, and stone water channels.
The site is often connected with water worship and agricultural planning. The Incas used the slope of the land and a precise canal system to bring water from the mountain area into the terraces.
Tipon is one of the best places near Cusco to understand Inca hydraulic engineering.
Pikillaqta
Pikillaqta is a pre-Inca site built by the Wari culture. It is one of the clearest Wari remains near Cusco and shows a planned city layout with long walls, streets, and enclosed areas.
The site helps travelers understand that Cusco’s history did not begin with the Incas. Earlier cultures also shaped the region and left important urban centers.
From this area, travelers can also see Huacarpay Lagoon and the surrounding South Valley.
Andahuaylillas Church
The Saint Peter Church of Andahuaylillas is one of the most important colonial churches near Cusco. It is often called the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas” because of the rich art inside.
The church has adobe walls, gold-leaf altars, murals, painted ceilings, and religious art linked to the Cusco School. The outside is simple, but the interior gives the site its strong value.
Huacarpay Lagoon
Huacarpay Lagoon can be seen from the Pikillaqta area and forms part of the South Valley landscape. The lagoon is surrounded by fields, wetlands, hills, and rural settlements.
A stop may depend on timing, traffic, and guide coordination.
Tipon Food Stop
Tipon is well known among Cusco residents for cuy al horno, or baked guinea pig. Many local families also go there for pork chicharrones.
This food stop is optional and not included in the tour price.
Inclusions
What’s Included
Guide and Safety
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Basic assistance during the tour
- Route management according to traffic, site access, and safety conditions
- Local information about Tipon, Pikillaqta, Andahuaylillas, and the South Valley
Transport
- Hotel pickup in Cusco city
- Tourist van during the tour
- Transport between Cusco, Tipon, Pikillaqta, Andahuaylillas, and Cusco
- Return to your hotel or nearby accessible point
Other Included Items
- Tax, according to the confirmed service
- Route coordination before departure
What’s Not Included
- Cusco Tourist Ticket
- Andahuaylillas Church entrance ticket
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guide and driver
- Personal purchases
- Extra drinks
- Extra costs caused by traffic, strikes, site closures, weather, government decisions, or force majeure
Entrance Tickets
Entrance tickets are not included and must be paid separately.
| Ticket | Approximate price |
| Partial Cusco Tourist Ticket | Approx. S/ 70 or US$ 20–25 |
| Full Cusco Tourist Ticket | Approx. US$ 45 |
| Andahuaylillas Church entrance | Approx. S/ 15 |
The Cusco Tourist Ticket can be bought on the same day at the first included site or at the official ticket office in Cusco.
Full Cusco Tourist Ticket
The full Cusco Tourist Ticket is usually valid for 10 days and includes several places in Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and the South Valley.
It may include sites such as Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray, Tipon, Pikillaqta, and selected museums.
Partial Cusco Tourist Ticket
A partial ticket may be valid for one day and may include selected sites depending on the circuit. For the South Valley, confirm that the ticket includes Tipon and Pikillaqta before buying.
Ticket conditions can change, so final instructions will be confirmed before the tour.
Where to Buy the Cusco Tourist Ticket
The Cusco Tourist Ticket cannot usually be bought online. It can be bought in Cusco or at some included sites.
Common purchase points include:
- Main office on Avenida El Sol
- Ticket counters at included archaeological sites, depending on the site and ticket type
Bring cash in soles and a valid document.
Recommendations
Before the tour
- Book at least 24 hours in advance.
- Eat breakfast before pickup if your tour departs in the morning.
- Bring cash in soles for entrance tickets, lunch, bathrooms, snacks, and souvenirs.
- Carry your passport or ID.
- Bring your university student card if you want to request a student ticket rate.
- Wear comfortable shoes because sites have stairs, stone paths, and uneven ground.
- Bring a warm layer for the return to Cusco.
- Bring sun protection and a hat.
- Bring rain protection from November to March.
- Charge your phone or camera before departure.
During the tour
- Stay with your guide at each site.
- Do not climb on restricted walls or archaeological structures.
- Respect church rules in Andahuaylillas.
- Ask before taking photos where restrictions may apply.
- Keep small bills for tickets, bathrooms, snacks, or personal purchases.
- Walk slowly if you feel altitude discomfort.
- Drink water during the route.
- Keep your belongings close in markets, churches, vehicles, and public areas.
More Tour Information
- Tour name: South Valley Tour Cusco
- Duration: Half day, approx. 6 hours
- Starting point: Cusco
- Ending point: Cusco
- Main route: Cusco, Tipon, Pikillaqta, Andahuaylillas, Cusco
- Optional food stop: Tipon, for cuy al horno or pork chicharrones
- Tour type: Archaeology, history, local heritage, and village route
- Transport: Tourist van
- Difficulty: Easy
- Group size: 2 to 12 travelers
- Guide: Professional English-speaking guide
- Best for: Families, couples, solo travelers, older travelers, and guests who want a light half-day route
- Operation: Available year-round
- Recommended booking time: At least 24 hours in advance
- Departure options for private service: 8:00 AM, 8:20 AM, or 9:00 AM, subject to confirmation
- Go south of Cusco and see a less crowded route with strong Inca, pre-Inca, and colonial history.
- Spend time at Tipon, an Inca site known for terraces, water channels, fountains, and hydraulic engineering.
- Learn how the Incas controlled water from the Pachatusan Mountain area to irrigate agricultural terraces.
- Walk through Pikillaqta, a pre-Inca Wari city built before the rise of the Inca Empire.
- See views of Huacarpay Lagoon from the Pikillaqta area.
- Stop at Andahuaylillas, home to the Saint Peter Church, often called the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas.”
- See colonial paintings, gold-leaf altars, adobe walls, and works linked to the Cusco School of Art.
- Pass through villages where Cusco families often go to eat cuy al horno and pork chicharrones.
- Travel with Machu Picchu Gol Travel, a Cusco-based team focused on clear timing, safe transport, local guides, and useful service.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is usually from hotels located in Cusco city. The usual meeting time is between 8:50 AM and 9:00 AM, depending on the confirmed departure.
Some streets in the historic center are narrow, steep, or closed to vehicles. If your hotel or Airbnb has difficult access, we may coordinate a nearby meeting point.
Traffic and street access can cause small variations.
Luggage storage
This is a half-day tour, so large luggage is not needed. You can leave your main luggage at your hotel or coordinate storage with our office if required.
Do not leave valuables inside stored luggage. Passport, money, cards, medication, electronics, and cameras should stay with you.
Payment conditions
A deposit may be required to secure guide service, transport, and operation staff.
The remaining balance should be paid before the tour according to the instructions from our reservations team. Cash payments in Cusco may avoid online transaction fees. Card or online payments may include gateway fees.
Entrance tickets and optional lunch are not included and are usually paid directly in soles.
Return to hotel
At the end of the tour, we return you to your hotel or to a nearby accessible point if your accommodation is located on a street without vehicle access.
The tour usually finishes around 2:30 PM, but return time may vary due to traffic, site flow, weather, or local events.
Availability
The South Valley Tour Cusco can usually operate any day of the year.
Because this tour does not include Machu Picchu or the Inca Trail, it is more flexible and can often be booked with 24 hours’ notice. Even so, advance booking is recommended to secure guide availability and transport.
For last-minute bookings, please contact the reservations team of Machu Picchu Gol Travel directly. We will do our best to arrange the service, but acceptance depends on availability.
Transport Included
- Pickup from your hotel in Cusco city
- Tourist van throughout the South Valley route
- Return to your hotel or nearby accessible point in Cusco
Transport times may vary due to traffic, street closures, strikes, parades, festivals, road works, or other local events.
Altitude and Physical Condition
The route reaches around 3,500 m / 11,483 ft at Tipon and about 3,350 m / 10,991 ft at Pikillaqta.
The walking is easy, but some travelers may feel shortness of breath, headache, or tiredness due to altitude. Walk slowly, drink water, and tell your guide if you feel unwell.
Older travelers, people with heart conditions, respiratory issues, recent injuries, or mobility concerns should inform our team before booking.
Terrain During the Tour
The tour includes:
- Archaeological stone paths
- Terraces
- Stairs
- Church interior areas
- Viewpoints
- Short walks between transport and site entrances
- Uneven ground in some sections
Comfortable shoes are recommended.
Weather
Daytime temperatures may range from around 12°C to 22°C, depending on season and weather.
From May to September, mornings and evenings can be cold in Cusco. From November to March, rain is more likely. Bring layers so you can adjust during the tour.
Travel Restrictions
Strikes and demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru and may interrupt some tours. Roads can be blocked, and access to certain areas may be affected. When this happens, we will try to keep your trip as close as possible to the original plan.
In some cases, tours may be changed or canceled. Any change will be coordinated by our operations team. Safety comes first, and decisions will be made to protect travelers and staff.
Lost objects
Please check your belongings whenever leaving transport, archaeological sites, churches, restaurants, shops, or viewpoints. You are responsible for your personal items during the tour.
Keep passport, money, cards, medication, electronics, and cameras with you at all times.
Site and church rules
Some places may restrict flash, tripods, drones, large equipment, food, or access to certain areas. Please follow your guide’s instructions and respect local regulations at each site.
At Andahuaylillas Church, photo and video rules may be restricted. Please follow the church staff’s instructions.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for all travelers. It should cover cancellation, illness, medical care, lost luggage, and unexpected travel problems.
No refund is given for unused services when cancellation or interruption is caused by reasons outside the agency’s control.
Enquire Now
Ready to book the South Valley Tour Cusco Half Day with Machu Picchu Gol Travel?
Send us your travel date, number of travelers, hotel location in Cusco, preferred departure time, and any special request. Our reservations team will check guide assignment, transport availability, pickup details, entrance ticket information, and optional lunch timing for your tour.
Essential documents and money
- Valid passport or ID
- University student card, if applicable
- Cash in Peruvian soles
- Credit or debit card
- Travel insurance information
- Emergency contact information
Clothing
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Warm jacket
- Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses with UV protection
Personal gear
- Small backpack
- Water bottle or CamelBak
- Camera or phone
- Power bank
- Small dry bag or plastic bag for rain
- Personal medication
Health and personal care
- Sunblock, SPF 50 or higher
- Lip balm with sun protection
- Hand sanitizer
- Personal hygiene items
- Altitude medication, only if approved by your doctor
Special requirements
Travelers with special requirements must inform our reservations team in advance. This includes mobility limitations, wheelchair use, crutches, medical equipment, service animals, professional photo or video equipment, or any condition that may affect walking through archaeological sites or church areas.
Machu Picchu Gol Travel is a Cusco-based travel agency operating day tours, archaeological routes, treks, and travel services across Peru.
The South Valley route is often less crowded than the main Sacred Valley circuit, but it is full of history. Tipon shows Inca water control. Pikillaqta shows Wari urban planning. Andahuaylillas shows colonial religious art. Together, these places help travelers understand Cusco through different periods, not only the Inca period.
Our service focuses on clear pickup coordination, trained local guides, safe transport, practical ticket information, and good timing at each stop. We also help travelers understand which entrance tickets are required, since the Cusco Tourist Ticket and Andahuaylillas Church ticket are not included in the standard price.
Traveling with Machu Picchu Gol Travel means seeing the South Valley with a local team that understands the roads, site order, ticket points, traffic conditions, and details that make a half-day tour feel smooth from start to return.
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