South Valley Tour Cusco Half Day

This tour is held in the morning every day from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

08:30 – 09:15 | Departure from Cusco & Southern Landscapes.

• ​We begin the journey heading southeast. Unlike the Sacred Valley, here you will see greener, flatter landscapes bordering the Huatanay River. Along the way, you’ll pass through traditional districts like San Jerónimo and Saylla, famous for the tempting aroma of local cuisine (pork rinds).

​10:00 – 11:15 | Tipon: Mastery in Hydraulics and Ritualism.

• ​This is not just a set of terraces; it is an agricultural laboratory and a center for water worship.
  ​What you will see in detail: You’ll observe 12 extremely fertile terraces. Pay close attention to the waterfalls: the Incas calculated the speed and flow with such precision that the sound of the water is constant and rhythmic.
  ​Key Spot: The “Main Fountain.” It is the perfect place to understand how the Incas managed to channel water from natural springs at the top of the mountain down to the fields.

​11:45 – 12:45 | Pikillacta: The Urbanism of the Wari.

• ​This site is a fascinating contrast because it is Pre-Inca (700 to 1100 AD).
  ​What you will see in detail: A citadel of military and administrative planning. You will walk through long, straight streets flanked by stone and mud walls that originally stood up to 12 meters high.
  ​Curiosity: Unlike the polished Inca stone, here you will see the use of mud mortar and plaster. You will also get a great view of the Huacarpay Lagoon, a wetland full of migratory birds.

​13:15 – 14:15 | Andahuaylillas: Andean Baroque at its Finest.

• ​We arrive at the plaza of this colonial town, surrounded by ancient Pisonay trees.
  ​What you will see in detail: Inside the Church of San Pedro Apóstol, the contrast is shocking. The ceiling is entirely decorated with flower and vegetable motifs (Mudéjar style). You will see the famous decorated organ, gold-leaf altars, and paintings explaining the syncretism between Catholicism and the Andean worldview.
  ​The Hidden Detail: Look for the baptistery, which features the inscription “I baptize you…” in five languages: Latin, Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, and the extinct Puquina.

​14:15 – 14:45 | Gastronomic Stop in Oropesa (Optional but Recommended).

• ​On the way back, it is almost mandatory to stop in Oropesa, the “Bread Capital of Peru.”
  ​The Experience: You will see traditional clay ovens and can buy the famous Pan Chuta, a giant, sweet, and aromatic circular bread that is the pride of the region.

​15:30 | Arrival back in Cusco.

• ​The tour usually ends near the Plaza de Armas, just in time for a late lunch or a rest.