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?
• Can I visit the South Valley in just one day?
• The Tipon – Piquillacta – Andahuaylillas route
• The religious route Cusco – Andahuaylillas – Huaro – Urcos
• One day trip on your own
• Important facts about the South Valley of Cusco

Enjoy these incredible places on a day trip to the South Valley in Cusco

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.
  • Urcos Lagoon.

• Andean villages:

  • 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 if 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 tour 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 Tipon – Piquillacta – Andahuaylillas route

• The tour to the South Valley of Cusco lasts only 5 hours. It starts with the pick up of the tourist from his hotel in the city of Cusco.
• Then we will take a touristic transportation 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 make the 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 we will visit the temple of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, also known as the Sistine Chapel of America for its baroque decoration.
• Finally, always on board the tourist transport, visitors will return to the city of Cusco.

Tipón in the South Valley

The religious route 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.
• Again on board the tourist transport we arrive at 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 city of Urcos where we will visit the chapel of the Purified Virgin of Canincunca.
• Finally the visitors will return by tourist transport to the city of Cusco.

Church of Andahuaylillas in the South Valley in Cusco

One day trip on your own

• The visit to the South Valley of Cusco in one day is also possible. The recommended route is: Cusco – Tipón – Piquillacta – Andahuaylillas – Oropesa.
• To make this route you must buy the Cusco Tourist Ticket for a cost of 70 Peruvian soles. This ticket allows you to enter Tipon and Piquillacta as well as other destinations in Cusco.
• Public transportation can be taken in the city of Cusco (Saylla – Huasao bus companies). The first destination is the town of Tipon. Then you can take a collective cab or public transport bus to Piquillacta, Andahuaylillas and Oropesa.
• During the route you can have lunch at different points such as the town of Tipon or Oropesa. In the latter town tourists like to buy the delicious Cusquenian bread.

Important facts about the South Valley of Cusco

• The Cusco Tourist Ticket costs 70 Peruvian soles and includes admission to Tipon and Piquillacta as well as: the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Regional Historical Museum, the Museum of Popular Art, the Coricancha Site Museum, the Qosqo Center of Native Art and the Inca Pachacutec Monument.
• The tour to the South Valley of Cusco can be purchased with any tourist agency in Cusco or in its online version. The tour of the Andean Baroque Circuit can be purchased at any tourist agency or in the same Church of the Society of Jesus in Cusco.

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, July 11, 2024