The South Valley Tour is a perfect blend of archaeology, history, and colonial art—ideal for travelers eager to dive deeper into the cultural richness of the Cusco region. This excursion gives you a broader view of the various civilizations that once inhabited the South Valley, from the pre-Inca Wari to the Incas and the Spanish colonial era.
Your journey begins with hotel pickup between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m.. On board our comfortable tourist transport, we’ll head south along a scenic route with stunning views of the Andes.
Our first stop is Tipón, an extraordinary Inca ceremonial site dedicated to water. Here, you'll be amazed by its sophisticated hydraulic system—stone channels masterfully carved to control water flow from the summit of Mount Pachatusan down to the agricultural terraces of the valley. This site is a powerful example of the Incas’ advanced engineering and architectural skills.
We continue to the archaeological complex of Pikillacta, meaning "flea city" in Quechua. This ancient walled settlement once belonged to the Wari civilization, a pre-Inca empire that dominated the region before the rise of the Incas. As you walk through its streets and structures, you'll witness the urban planning and administrative precision that made the Wari such an influential culture in the Andes.
Our final stop is the beautiful church of Andahuaylillas, often called the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas.” Inside, you’ll be dazzled by an impressive collection of oil paintings with gold-leafed frames, richly decorated murals, intricately carved baroque altars, and a unique fusion of European and Andean artistic styles. Don’t miss the iconic five-language doorway with inscriptions in Latin, Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, and Puquina.
After visiting these three remarkable sites, we’ll head back to Cusco, arriving around 2:30 p.m., giving you the rest of the afternoon free to explore the city or relax.
The South Valley Tour is ideal for those who want to discover hidden gems beyond the traditional tourist routes. With fewer crowds and deeper cultural insights, it’s a must for history lovers and curious travelers. From Inca ingenuity to Wari legacy and colonial masterpieces—this tour offers a comprehensive glimpse into the region’s layered past.
Book now and explore Cusco’s lesser-known wonders on this enriching half-day journey!
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Leila Juliana S
June 12, 2026
Foi tudo muito bem. O guia me deu suporte durante todo o caminho.
Francisco
June 12, 2026
Impressive experience and service provided by the one I can call my friend Johan Muñoz. Thank you for everything! The adventure of a lifetime.
Sam M
June 8, 2026
Great trip completing the Salkantay hike with Abet and Victoriano our chef ! We loved every minute ! Really well organised , beautiful food and vegetarian options covered without any reminders !!! Fantastic scenery throughout ending with the amazing machu pichu ! Abet was so knowledgeable and shared lots of information with us ! I would recommend this to anyone !!
Angelina S
June 8, 2026
I really enjoyed this trek. It was definitely challenging, but I made great friends and thoroughly enjoyed both the food and the overall experience. Every meal was thoughtfully prepared and included soup, protein, and vegetables. Abet was incredibly kind and stayed back with me and others if we were moving a little slower. I was traveling solo and was paired with another female solo traveler, which I really appreciated and made the experience even more comfortable. Despite doing very little preparation beforehand, I still managed to reach the summit. There is an option to rent horses if you didn’t acclimatize before or are struggling. Definitely recommended to bring your own toilet paper as toilets along the way don’t have any. For the price and the experience, I think it was absolutely worth it.
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