Photo gallery
South Valley tour photos
Tour overview
South Valley tour at a glance
The quiet side of Cusco. In half a day you see Inca water engineering that still works, a city built by the Wari centuries before the Incas, and a village church covered from floor to ceiling in colonial paintings, with far fewer visitors than the Sacred Valley.
Our Cusco team checks the services, timings and availability for your dates and sends the options in a written quote.
Journey highlights
Highlights of the South Valley tour
- Tipón, an Inca royal estate with terraces and stone water channels still running
- Pikillacta, the large Wari city built more than 1,000 years ago
- The church of Andahuaylillas, known as the Sistine Chapel of the Andes
- A stop for the giant traditional bread of Oropesa
Detailed itinerary
South Valley tour itinerary
Times and services are indicative. Your final schedule is confirmed in your written quote.
Itinerary
Morning departures run from about 8:00 am to 2:00 pm; afternoon departures from about 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
Pickup and drive to Tipón
We pick you up at your hotel in Cusco and drive southeast along the Huatanay valley, past the town of Saylla, famous for its roast pork (chicharrón). A short road climbs from the valley floor to the entrance of Tipón.
Tipón — Inca water gardens
Tipón was a royal estate, probably built for the family of the Inca Viracocha or Pachacútec. You walk among twelve wide terraces held by perfect stone walls, while water from a natural spring runs through carved channels, small waterfalls and ceremonial fountains, exactly as it did 500 years ago. Your guide explains how the Incas controlled the flow and why engineers still study the site today.
Pikillacta — the pre-Inca Wari city
Pikillacta is a vast grid of stone buildings, high walls and narrow streets built by the Wari culture between about 600 and 1000 AD, centuries before the Incas. Walking its long, straight streets, you see how a powerful earlier empire organized its storehouses, barracks and living quarters. From the site you look down on the Huacarpay lagoon, home to many water birds.
Andahuaylillas — the Sistine Chapel of the Andes
In the quiet village of Andahuaylillas, the 17th-century church of San Pedro looks simple from outside, but its interior is covered from floor to ceiling in murals, gold leaf, carved altars and colonial paintings, among the finest in South America. Your guide explains the symbols painted by local artists to teach the Christian faith to the Quechua population.
Oropesa and return to Cusco
On the way back you can stop in Oropesa, the "bread capital" of Cusco, to try the large round loaves baked in wood-fired ovens. The van then drives back to your hotel in Cusco.
What's included
What's included in the South Valley tour
Included
- hotel pickup and drop-off
- transport
- professional guide
- Cusco Tourist Ticket (Tipón and Pikillacta)
- Andahuaylillas church entrance
Not included
- meals
- tips
Plan with confidence
Duration, difficulty and price
Good to know
Good to know before you go
Planning guides
Planning guides
What to bring
What to pack
- Original passport
- Light jacket and sun hat
- Comfortable shoes
- Water
- Cash in soles for bread and small purchases
Carry the original passport used to book. Check your confirmed ticket and operator instructions for current baggage and site rules.
Frequently asked questions
South Valley tour FAQs
South Valley or Sacred Valley?
The Sacred Valley is more famous and busier. The South Valley is quieter and shorter, ideal for a half day or for travelers who have already seen the Sacred Valley.
Is the Cusco Tourist Ticket included?
Yes, the part that covers Tipón and Pikillacta, plus the Andahuaylillas church entrance.
Can I combine it with another tour?
Yes. Take the morning departure and the Cusco City Tour in the afternoon.
What do you visit?
Tipón, an Inca royal estate with water gardens and fountains; Pikillacta, a large pre-Inca Wari city; and the painted colonial church of Andahuaylillas.
Can I take photos inside the Andahuaylillas church?
No. Photos are not allowed inside the church.
Morning or afternoon?
Both. Morning departures run from about 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, and afternoon departures from about 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
Tripadvisor reviews
What travelers say about our team
Reviews of Traveleez Peru SAC, the operator of Machu-Picchu.tours, on our Tripadvisor profile Machu Picchu by Traveleez.
★★★★★
Incredible experience
“An unforgettable experience. Super punctual, good transportation, and very good treatment.”
Translated from Spanish
★★★★★
Highly recommended
“This agency is super responsive, unlike others that can take weeks to get back to you.”
★★★★★
Seamless Last-Minute Machu Picchu Trip!
“The entire process was seamless, and everyone was absolutely wonderful to work with.”
