South Valley Cusco Half Day

Tipon, Piquillacta, Andahuaylillas

From

Duration

1 day

Tour Type

Overview

Discover the rich cultural and archaeological heritage of southern Cusco as you explore impressive Inca engineering, pre-Inca urban planning, and outstanding colonial art. From the remarkable hydraulic system of Tipon, to the expansive Wari city of Piquillacta, and the beautifully decorated church of Andahuaylillas—known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas”—this tour offers a fascinating journey through centuries of Andean history and artistic brilliance. A perfect experience for travelers seeking culture, architecture, and deeper insight into Peru’s ancient civilizations.

Travel Information / Highlights:

Tipon: Visit the archaeological site known for its extensive terraces still in use today and an advanced irrigation system with carved stone channels and vertical drops, a remarkable example of Inca hydraulic engineering.
Piquillacta: Explore this pre-Inca city with more than 700 structures, including 200 kanchas and 504 qolqas. The city’s organized layout, straight streets, multi-story buildings, and defensive walls showcase advanced planning for a population of 10,000.
Andahuaylillas: Admire the church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas.” Built in the early 17th century, it features murals by Luis Riaño, baroque altars, silverwork, and remarkable paintings from the Cusco School.

Tour Category: Cultural & Historical / Archaeology / Andean Heritage / Colonial & Inca Sites

Included/Exclude

Professional English speaking guide
Return transportation in private transportation

Alcoholics drinks
Breakfast/Lunch on the first day
Tips for guide and camp staff.

Tour Plan

Tipon.

Is a very important Archaeological site that has numerous impressive terraces that are still being cultivated today. Even more impressive is the irrigation system that is still serving agricultural areas nearby. It consists of carved stone channels, precisely calculated and sometimes with almost vertical falls that all together constitute a hydraulic engineering masterpiece.

Piquillacta.

The constructions of Piquillacta are composed of more than 700 structures: 200 Kanchas (departments), 504 qolqas (storages) and different buildings that should have sheltered a population of about ten thousand people. The city was displayed in a harmonious and symmetric way, in blocks with straight streets that embraced many sectors such as the administrative, ceremonial, urban, defensive and a road system. Its buildings had 2 or 3 floors of 12 meters high each one.

The walls were made with mud and stones, wide at the bottom but thin at the upper part. At the beginning of the nineties, these walls were covered with mud of 9cm, that then were painted with plaster. Floors were also made with a kind of thick plaster showing the appearance of a white city.

Andahuaylillas

The most important attraction for the visitors is its church: San Pedro de Andahuaylillas considered as the “Sistine Chapel” of America due to the quality of its art pieces. Built at the beginning of VII century, the interior of the temple is decorated with murals performed by Luis Riaño ( XVII century) representing the path to glory and the path to hell. Besides, this church holds a majestic piano, numerous canvases of the Academy of Cusco, silver work and baroque altars.