South Valley of Cusco Tour (Half Day)

South Sacred Valley of the Incas Half Day

South Valley of Cusco Tour (Half Day)

The South Valley of Cusco Tour is a half-day excursion that will take you to three important sites located south of the city of Cusco. Together with the Sacred Valley VIP Tour, this experience provides a more complete understanding of the Inca civilization.

During the tour, you will visit Tipón, Pikillacta, and the Church of Andahuaylillas, places that are often overlooked by many travelers. However, these sites were of great importance to both the Incas and the Wari culture, one of the main pre-Inca civilizations of the region.

Tipón

Tipón is a small agricultural town located south of Cusco. It is home to an archaeological site situated on a hill overlooking the valley. The complex is renowned for its impressive irrigation system built by the Incas, as well as for its royal garden.

The town is also famous among locals for its guinea pig dishes. In fact, it is locally known as the regional capital of guinea pig cuisine.

Pikillacta

Pikillacta is a pre-Inca archaeological site. The Wari were the first to settle in this area. The complex stands out for its remarkable Wari architecture, which is clearly different from Inca architecture.

Unlike many Inca sites, Pikillacta does not have aqueducts. The nearest lake is located one kilometer from the site and served as its only water source.

During archaeological excavations, numerous skeletal remains associated with sacrifices were discovered. Stones engraved with corn symbols and representations of their deities were also found. Corn was a crop of great importance to the Wari culture.

Sistine Chapel of America – Andahuaylillas

Andahuaylillas is a beautiful town located south of the city of Cusco. Although its white-walled church may appear simple from the outside, its stunning interior decoration amazes all visitors.

Why Choose Trails to Machu Picchu?

We are a local tour operator based in Cusco. Our team is made up of qualified, English-speaking local guides who were born and raised in Cusco.

We have extensive knowledge of the sites we visit, including details known only to some local residents.

We invite you to read reviews of our travel agency on TripAdvisor.

Tour Details

Duration

Half Day

Tour Type

Cultural

Difficulty

Easy

Departure & Return

Cusco

Start Time

Group Size

12 people

Detailed Itinerary

Half Day: Cusco – South Valley – Tipón – Pikillacta – Andahuaylillas – Cusco

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco to begin the journey to Tipón. Upon arrival, our expert local guide will provide a guided tour of this important archaeological site, renowned for its remarkable irrigation system and its significance within the Inca civilization.

After the visit, we will continue to Pikillacta. This site offers impressive views of the valley and stands out for its unique Wari architecture. Together with our local guide, you will discover the historical and cultural importance of this fascinating attraction.

Later, we will travel farther south to the town of Andahuaylillas. This charming village is home to the famous Sistine Chapel of America. The entrance fee is 15 soles. During the visit, our guide will explain the importance of the chapel and provide a complete tour of its interior.

At the end of the tour, we will begin the journey back to the city of Cusco.

Inclusions

What's included

Tour transportation.
Bilingual guide.

What's not included

Tour tickets.
Admission to the Church of Andahuaylillas (15 soles).
Personal expenses.

Packing List

We recommend bringing the following items to ensure you have a comfortable experience on the Cusco South Valley Tour.

Reusable water bottle.
Cash.
Snacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Solve the most common questions about the South Valley Tour of Cusco and get ready to discover important Inca and Wari archaeological sites on a half-day excursion.

What makes Pikillacta different from other archaeological sites near Cusco?

Pikillacta is a pre-Inca archaeological complex built by the Wari culture. Its architecture differs from that of the Incas and represents one of the most important examples of the Wari legacy in the Cusco region.

Why is Tipón considered an important site within the Inca civilization?

What makes the Church of Andahuaylillas special?

Is admission to the Church of Andahuaylillas included in the tour?

Do I need to purchase a tourist ticket for the tour?

Is it recommended to combine this tour with the VIP Sacred Valley Tour?

Does the tour include a guide service during all visits?

What should I bring for the South Valley Tour of Cusco?

Starting at

$35per person

4.9

37 Reviews

Please review our policies before booking your tour.

Do you have any questions?

Feel free to call us. We’re a team of experts and would be happy to speak with you.

Customer Experience

      
   Trails to Machu Picchu
   45 Tripadvisor reviews 
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       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Rachel C 
 
 
 
 Verified Thanks Richard Did this four day Salkantay Trek with them as the Inca Trail was sold out. It was very pleasant experience and Richard, our guide took great effort inmaking this trip a memorable one. The camping sites were located in quiet parts of the trek, giving us opportunity to get good rest after a day full of hike. The food were all freshly cooked and authentic. Highly recommend
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Jeniffer P 
 
 
 
 Verified Immervie, cultural and traditional I booked this four day Choquequirao trek after not being able to hike the Inca Trail due to lack of availability. The trip was very well organised, the tour company took care of everything from transport and food to accomodation and entrance tickets. The guide was very nice and spoke good English. The site itself was very less crowded and scenic. Higly recommend visiting Choquequirao if you want to know more about the Incas history.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Erick W 
 
 
 
 Verified Thanks Richard! Did this two day trek with Richard, our guide. He was very friendly, informative and passionate to share his knowledge about the local traditions and customs. The trek included all meals and were all freshly cooked. The camping sites were located overlooking the valley. The red valley trip was the highlight and i truly enjoyed it more than the rainbow mountain.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Valery H 
 
 
 
 Verified Viaje mágico ✨️ I took the 4-day, 3-night tour to Choquequirao, and it was definitely an amazing experience. The organization was excellent, the service was outstanding throughout, and the team was always attentive and professional. Plus, the atmosphere was super fun, which made the whole trip even more special. I highly recommend this tour company if you're looking for a well-planned adventure full of great moments 😉
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Miguel Ángel M 
 
 
 
 Verified Choquequirao Hi everyone, I highly recommend the Choquequirao tour (the one I did) with this agency because of all my options, it offered the best guaranteed service. There were no problems, so I'm very satisfied.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Navigate03655434048 
 
 
 
 Verified Recommended I did the Machu Picchu-Inca Trail tour with this agency, 100% recommended guys, the service was excellent and seeing all these places was simply beautiful
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Navigator25956226682 
 
 
 
 Verified A really wonderfull experience Visiting Manu National Park with this agency was truly the best choice! 👌 The Peruvian rainforest is truly magnificent and wonderful, and the agency really gives you the opportunity to experience the best of it.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Luis 
 
 
 
 Verified A Remarkable Journey to Choquequirao An unforgettable 5-star adventure to Choquequirao, with breathtaking views, incredible Inca ruins, and a true sense of untouched beauty throughout the trek. The experience was made even better by our tour guide, Richard, who was knowledgeable, funny, and kind—he kept us motivated, shared fascinating insights, and made every moment along the journey even more enjoyable.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Nancy M 
 
 
 
 Verified The trip of my dreams!!! I'm Nancy and I loved the experience we had with the tour. We had a wonderful experience to remember. The service was excellent, punctual, and professional from everyone who accompanied us. We'll definitely be back, thank you so much! 🤗
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   rocio c 
 
 
 
 Verified beautiful experience We had an unforgettable experience with this company visiting Manu National Park for two days. My family and I are very happy to have enjoyed such a well-organized tour. We saw monkeys, birds, snakes, capybaras, caimans, and much more. Thank you for this great experience, Trails to Machu Picchu.

      
   Trails to Machu Picchu
   11 Google reviews 
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       Posted on Google  
   
   Fede 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I did the Machu Picchu-Inca Trail tour with this agency, 100% recommended guys, the service was excellent and seeing all these places was simply beautiful
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   sofi_so 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Visiting Manu National Park with this agency was truly the best choice! 👌 The Peruvian rainforest is truly magnificent and wonderful, and the agency really gives you the opportunity to experience the best of it.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Luis Fernando Chullo Ochoa 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tuvimos un viaje inolvidable al parque manu de 2 dias 1 noche. Fue un tour inolvidable para nosotro y lo disfrutamod al maximo. Esta agencia de viajes es muy recomendable, desde el transporte, aalimentacion, guiado profecional y toda la logistica muy bien organizada gracias por todo señores de traisl to machupicchu
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   David Soncco C. (D.v.D) 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fue uno bonita experiencia realizar el tour al Parque Nacional del Manu por 3 días, los guías super buenísimos que  nos ayudaron a llevarnos una bonita experiencia, muy atentos y super divertidos!!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ahsan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. They made my day 😊⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ahsan Visa services 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a great experience with them, recommended
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   DivCode 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very good tour that I have done, highly recommended to know the Inca Trail🙂😌
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Nelly Montalvo Pacco 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tuvimos la oportunidad de ir con mi familia a conocer Cusco y la experiancia fue única, lo pasamos muy bien desde el transporte, nuestro guía fue muy profesional, la alimentación   excelente. Hizo que mi estancia fuera realmente memorable. Estamos muy agradecidos y recomendamos la Agencia de viajes.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   david abraham soto lopez 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Buen servicio... me encanto el Guiado de la agencia ... siempre atentos y aclarando cada duda y pregunta con mucho conocimiento.