Excursion to the South Valley in Cusco

Most visitors recognize the tourist attractions of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. But, have you ever heard of the Southern Valley of Cusco? This geographical area gathers important destinations such as Tipon, Piquillacta, Andahuaylillas, Oropesa, Huaro and more. To visit these attractions in just one day there are some recommended tours such as the ‘South Valley of Cusco Tour’ or the ‘Andean Baroque Circuit’. Learn more details about these services.

What to see in the South Valley of Cusco?

The South Valley of Cusco is made up of tourist attractions located southeast of the city of Cusco. Among its most famous tourist attractions are:

Archaeological sites:

• Inca archaeological site of Tipon.
• Wari citadel of Piquillacta.

Colonial temples:

• Temple of San Juan Bautista de Huaro.
• Temple of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas.
• Purified Virgin of Canincunca Chapel.

Incredible landscapes:

• Huacarpay Lagoon.
• Huasao Wetlands.
• Rucos Lagoon.

Andean peoples:

• Oropesa.
• Huasao.
• Huaro.
• Urcos.

Other tourist attractions:

• Casa Hacienda La Angostura.
• Tipon Zoo.
• Jurassic Park of Oropesa.
• Swimming pools of Oropesa.

Can I visit the South Valley in just one day?

Yes, the South Valley of Cusco can be visited within a 1 day trip.

The first thing to do is to decide whether you want to visit on your own or as part of an all-inclusive tour.

If you visit on your own, it is necessary to buy at least: a) the Cusco Tourist Ticket (includes entrance tickets to Tipon and Piquillacta) and b) get public transportation on La Cultura Avenue in the city of Cusco.

If the visit is made as part of a tour, you must choose a tourist agency. All tours to the South Valley of Cusco include: full transportation, entrance fees to all sites and tour guide service.

If you choose to travel with a tour there are two options: a) the classic tour to the South Valley of Cusco that includes Tipon – Piquillacta and Andahuaylillas. And b) the tour ‘Andean Baroque Circuit’ which includes visits to the temples of the Company of Jesus (Cusco), San Pedro de Andahuaylillas (Andahuaylillas), San Juan Bautista de Huaro (Huaro) and the Purified Virgin of Canincunca Chapel (Urcos).

The Tipón – Piquillacta – Andahuaylillas road

The tour to the South Valley of Cusco lasts only 5 hours. It begins with the pick up of the tourist from his hotel in the city of Cusco.

Then, a trip in tourist transport is made to the town and archaeological site of Tipon. There, with a professional tour guide, the visitor will visit its temples, gardens and enclosures.

Then we will take a short trip to the archaeological site of Piquillacta. There, the visitor will learn about the mysteries of this Wari city. You will visit its roads, squares, enclosures, colcas and more.

The next journey will be further south to the Andean town of Andahuaylillas where you will visit the temple of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, also known as the Sistine Chapel of America for its baroque decoration.

Finally, always aboard the tourist transport, visitors will return to the city of Cusco.

The religious ruta Cusco – Andahuaylillas – Huaro – Urcos

This route is promoted by the religious order of the Society of Jesus in Cusco. Its objective is to revalue the colonial baroque art of the religious temples in the South Valley of Cusco. The route lasts 5 hours.

The circuit begins in the city of Cusco with a visit to the temple of the Society of Jesus (located in front of the Plaza de Armas of the city). The visit to this and the other temples will always be accompanied by a tour guide.

On board a tourist transport, visitors will travel to the town of Andahuaylillas where they will visit the church of San Pedro Apostle, also known as the Sistine Chapel of America.

Once again on board the tourist transport you will reach the next destination: the town of Huaro, famous for its delicious bread. There you will visit the church of San Juan Bautista.

The last destination will be the town of Urcos, where we will visit the chapel of the Purified Virgin of Canincunca.

Finally, visitors will return by tourist transport to the city of Cusco.