South Valley Tour
1 day
Group up to 12 people
3,500 m.s.n.m
Easy
Discover the fascinating southern region of Cusco on this enjoyable half-day excursion. The South Valley Tour takes you to three remarkable historical attractions: the impressive Inca archaeological site of Tipón, famous for its sophisticated hydraulic engineering; Piquillacta, one of the best-preserved cities of the pre-Inca Wari civilization; and the charming colonial village of Andahuaylillas, home to the beautiful church known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas.”
This tour offers the perfect combination of Inca engineering, pre-Columbian history, colonial architecture, and traditional Andean culture in a single unforgettable experience.
Please Note: This tour is available exclusively for travelers who have booked a 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, or longer Machu Picchu tour or trek with Auki Cusco Explorers.
Tour Overview
- Hotel pick-up at 9:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. (choose your preferred departure time).
- Private transportation throughout the excursion.
- Visit the colonial church of Andahuaylillas, known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas.”
- Explore the archaeological sites of Tipón and Piquillacta.
- Traditional lunch in Tipón, famous for its roasted guinea pig.
- Return transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
Itinerary
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel at either 9:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m., depending on your selected departure time. From Cusco, you’ll travel by private transportation toward the picturesque town of Andahuaylillas.
Your first stop is the Church of Saint Peter, widely recognized as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas.” Constructed by the Jesuit Order during the late 16th century and decorated throughout the 17th century, this colonial church features a simple exterior built with traditional adobe walls, while its interior is richly adorned with extraordinary murals, gold-leaf decorations, and remarkable religious artwork.
Inside the church, admire masterpieces including the famous painting of the Assumption of the Virgin, attributed to the renowned Spanish artist Esteban Murillo, along with impressive wall paintings associated with Luis de Riaño, one of the most important colonial painters of the region.
After visiting the church, continue to the impressive archaeological complex of Piquillacta, an ancient city built by the Wari civilization long before the rise of the Inca Empire. Explore its carefully planned urban layout while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and nearby lakes.
The final archaeological stop is Tipón, one of the finest examples of Inca hydraulic engineering. Discover its remarkable system of water channels, agricultural terraces, and ceremonial fountains, many of which continue functioning perfectly after centuries.
Before returning to Cusco, enjoy a traditional lunch in the village of Tipón, well known for its famous roasted guinea pig (cuy al horno), one of the region’s most representative culinary specialties and an important tradition that connects modern Quechua culture with its Inca heritage.
Following lunch, your private transportation will take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
Included
- Professional English-speaking tour guide.
- Private transportation during the entire excursion.
- Traditional Cusco-style lunch in the village of Tipón, famous for its roasted guinea pig.
- Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico) for the archaeological sites (70 soles for the one-day ticket, payable only in Peruvian soles at the first archaeological site visited).
- Entrance fee to the Church of Saint Peter in Andahuaylillas.
- Personal expenses.
- Tips for your guide.
Not Included
- Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico) for the archaeological sites (70 soles for the one-day ticket, payable only in Peruvian soles at the first archaeological site visited).
- Entrance fee to the Church of Saint Peter in Andahuaylillas.
- Personal expenses.
- Tips for your guide.
Recommendations
HOW TO BOOK THE TOUR?
FIRST, to book your Bus to Puno from Cusco, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase your Bus to Puno from Cusco without the following information:
- Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
- Gender
- Passport number
- D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
- Nationality
SECOND, we require a deposit of $53.00 USD per person in order to purchase a your entrance to Machu Picchu and train ticket. You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.
WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?
If you would like to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. There are many ATMS within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service fee, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account and use our email address.
BOLETO TURISTICO (tourist ticket )
You have the Option to Purchase a 1 Day or a 10 Day Boleto Turistico.
The partial ticket, or 1 Day ticket costs 70 soles ($20 USD) and is valid for 1 day. You can visit a many sites as you like in one day with no further charge. There are no discounts with this ticket.
Both tourist tickets, of 1 day or 10 day, allows the access to different archeological sites around Cusco, and Sacred Valley. This is the best way to visit all the archeological sites of the region and the Sacred Valley. Most of the main archeological sites are not accessible for free.
The general ticket allows you over the next 10 days to enter 16 archeological and cultural sites in Cusco, the south valley and the Sacred Valley. The price of this ticket is 130 soles (about $40 USD) and is valid for 10 days. This is the cheapest and most convenient way to plan to see different sites in a few days. The cost for students under 25 (with the presentation of a valid ISIC card) and for teenagers under 18 (with the presentation of an identity card) is 70 soles ($20 USD). Children under 11 are free.
Here is a list of sites where you can use your Boleto Turistico:
- Sacsayhuaman
- Qenqo
- Pucapucara
- Tambomachay
- Pisaq
- Ollantaytambo
- Chinchero
- Moray
- Tipon
- Piquillaqta
Note : The entrance ticket to the main archeological sites like Sacsayhuaman, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Tipón and Moray cannot be sold individually; you must buy the Boleto turístico to visit them. You can get it in Avenida el Sol nearby Peru office or at the time you enter the first site that you are visiting. YOU MUST PAY IN SOLES, NO CREDIT CARD OR US DOLLARS ARE ACCEPTED.
Important: These entrances are not included in the Boleto Turistico.
- The entrance to Qoricancha or Santo Domingo Convent (10 soles)
- The entrance to the Cathedral (25 soles)
ARE WE SUSTAINABLE?
Yes, we are a locally sustainable & responsible tourism operator. That incorporates universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.
Packing list
For a comfortable experience, we recommend bringing:
- Warm jacket.
- Waterproof or rain jacket.
- Hat or cap.
- Drinking water.
- Sunscreen and sun protection.
- Extra cash for souvenirs.
- Peruvian soles to purchase the Cusco Tourist Ticket and entrance fees if necessary.
- Original passport.
- Valid university student ID (only applicable for discounts on the 10-day Tourist Ticket).
🔒 Secure payment · Flexible cancellation
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- Easy, Fast, Risk-Free Bookings
- Personalized Small Group Tour
- Great Value for Money
- Unique, Customized Itineraries
- Best Local Certified Guides.
You need assistance?
- Inquire Now
- +51 906 725 270
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Why Travel with Auki cusco Explorers?
- Superior Service
- Inca Trail Specialists
- 100% value for money
- Small Groups with a maximum of 8 people
- Delicious and nutritious meals
- Sustainable Travel
- Years of Professional Inca Trail Experience
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