South Valley Cusco Tour + Cielo Punku Viewpoint - Half Day

Physical Level

Easy

Trip Style

Max Altitude

Group Size

INQUIRY ABOUT THIS TREK

The South Valley Cusco Tour is an incredible journey through the South Valley, offering a unique opportunity to explore Inca hydraulic engineering, the fascinating Wari culture, and some of the finest colonial religious art.

Duration: Half-day
Frequency: Daily, with prior reservation
Group: Group service

What’s Included?

Transport: Cusco – South Valley – Cusco
Professional Guide: A certified guide for the entire tour
Guided Visits: To Tipón, Pikillaqta, and the Andahuaylillas Chapel
Drop-off: Ends in the center of Cusco city

Overview: South Valley Cusco Tour

The South Valley Cusco Tour is a journey through some of the most important archaeological complexes in the South Valley, located south of the imperial city of Cusco. This half-day tour offers a well-rounded view of Cusco’s history, showcasing natural and cultural landscapes with Pre-Inca, Inca Imperial, and Colonial architecture.

South Valley Cusco Tour + Cielo Punku Viewpoint – Half Day

Itinerary

DAY 1:

SOUTH VALLEY CUSCO TOUR

The detailed schedule below provides insight into each location visited and highlights the historical and cultural importance of each site.

08:30 / 09:00 am: Hotel pickup (applies to hotels located in the city center). After an introduction by our guide, you’ll embark on a journey through the South Valley.
09:40 am: Visit to Tipón Archaeological Center – Also known as the “Temple of Water,” Tipón showcases the advanced irrigation systems and agricultural terraces of the Inca civilization. This location is a testament to Inca engineering, where water still flows through canals and terraces with remarkable precision.
11:20 am: Visit to Pikillaqta Archaeological Center – Pikillaqta was once a prominent pre-Inca city belonging to the Wari culture. Here, you’ll appreciate its extensive walls and structures and enjoy panoramic views of the Huacarpay wetland in Lucre. This site provides valuable insight into Wari urban planning and community life.
12:45 pm: Visit to the Andahuaylillas Chapel (Sistine Chapel of the Americas) – Andahuaylillas is home to the Church of San Pedro Apóstol, known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas” due to its exquisite 17th-century colonial art. The chapel is adorned with murals, baroque altars, and impressive woodwork, providing a deep look into religious and artistic heritage.
3:00 / 3:30 pm: Return to Cusco city center, where the tour concludes. This gives you the afternoon to further explore Cusco on your own.

An Alternative Way to Discover Cusco

This tour offers a different perspective of Cusco, combining cultural, architectural, and scenic experiences in the South Valley. You’ll see not only ancient ruins but also the blend of Inca, pre-Inca, and colonial influences unique to this area.

Cusco Altitude: 3,350 m (10,990 ft)
Tipón Altitude: 3,560 m (11,679 ft)
Pikillaqta Altitude: 3,500 m (11,482 ft)
Andahuaylillas Altitude: 3,200 m (10,498 ft)

Remember: The itinerary may vary due to weather or other unforeseen factors. Trust our guide to make any necessary adjustments for an unforgettable experience.

Inclusions

What’s Included in the South Valley Cusco Tour:

Pickup from your accommodation: Available if located in Cusco’s city center.
Authorized tourist transport: Comfortable and safe transportation equipped for visiting archaeological sites.
Professional Guide: Certified by the Peruvian Government, fluent in Spanish and English.
Guided Tour in Spanish or English: Options available to enhance your understanding of each site.
Drop-off: Ends in Cusco city center, convenient for further exploration.

What’s Not Included in the South Valley Cusco Tour:

General Tourist Ticket (BTG): S/. 130.00 (covers two or more tourist circuits, valid for several days).
Partial Tourist Ticket (BTG): S/. 70.00 (covers a single tourist circuit).
Andahuaylillas Chapel Ticket: S/. 18.00
Cielo Punku Viewpoint Ticket: S/. 5.00
Water or alcoholic beverages
Tips: Optional, at your discretion.
Accommodation in Cusco
Travel Insurance: Recommended during your trip (please arrange in your home country).

Important Note: Be sure to carry cash (in soles) to purchase entrance tickets as needed.

Important Information to Know

Our Agency’s Professionalism: We are a well-established travel agency with a strong online reputation, offering packages that cover most extra services to ensure your experience is complete and hassle-free.
Choosing a Trustworthy Agency: Be cautious of other agencies offering low prices that may exclude key services, resulting in issues with planning and organization during your trip.
Commitment to Quality: We are dedicated to meeting your travel expectations, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey to Machu Picchu.

What to Bring

What to Bring for the Tour

Original Passport: Valid for at least seven months (a photocopy with the entry stamp is required to start the tour).
Valid ID: (for South American tourists only), including the Andean Migration Card (TAM), provided by immigration upon entering Peru.
Warm Clothing for Cusco: Layered attire for varying temperatures, especially at night, including thermals, gloves, scarves, and wool hats.
Light Clothing for Machu Picchu: Lightweight windproof jacket, fleece, and quick-dry shirts (polyester, nylon).
Hat, Cap, and Sunglasses: For sun protection, especially at high altitude.
Camera: With extra batteries to capture every moment.
Personal Medical Kit: Includes personal medications and a basic first aid kit.
Insect Repellent: Essential, especially for Machu Picchu’s subtropical climate.
Sunscreen: To protect against UV exposure.
Altitude Sickness Pills: “Soroche Pills” are recommended to alleviate altitude symptoms.
Trekking Shoes: Or waterproof boots for comfortable walking; thick rubber-soled sneakers are also a great option.
Rain Gear: A waterproof jacket and rain pants (recommended during the rainy season).
Extra Money: For beverages, tips, souvenirs, etc. (soles or dollars).
Swimwear: For hot springs (optional).
Positive Attitude and Good Humor: Essential for a memorable experience!

Cusco Tourist Ticket BTC

The Cusco Tourist Ticket grants access to various tourist attractions in the city of Cusco, the South Valley, Sacred Valley of the Incas, and local museums. This ticket is managed by the Cusco Cultural Tourist Services Committee (COSITUC) and can be purchased in Cusco or at the start of your excursion.

You can choose between a General Tourist Ticket or a Partial Tourist Ticket depending on the number of circuits you wish to visit. This ticket is essential for exploring all major archaeological sites and museums in the region.

About ISIC Card

Valid Student ID for Classic Inca Trail Hike and Machu Picchu

To qualify for the student discount on Inca Trail Permits, travelers must meet the following requirements:

Age Limit: Students must be 25 years old or younger at the time of entering the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. Those over 25 years old cannot enter as a student.
ID Requirements: The student ID must include:
- The name of the university
- The student’s name and photo
- A valid expiration date
ISIC CARD: This card type is no longer valid anymore

Invalid Student IDs for the Inca Trail Discount

Student IDs will not be accepted for the discount under the following conditions:

The traveler is older than 25
The ID is expired
The ID does not have an expiration date
ISIC cards are not valid for obtaining the student discount for Inca Trail permits.

This information is crucial for travelers seeking to benefit from discounted permits for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.

Why to Choose

Why choose “Illapa Peru Trip”?

“Illapa Peru Trip” is a 100% Peruvian-owned tour operator based in Cusco, with extensive experience in hiking, adventure tours, and customized travel packages. As a completely local company, we’re dedicated to providing travelers with authentic, high-quality experiences.

Our vision as a local company is to deliver personalized travel and hiking journeys, managed exclusively by experienced local professionals, with a strong focus on HIGH-QUALITY and PERSONALIZED SERVICE.

We are proud of our reputation as a travel agency that upholds RESPONSIBLE and SUSTAINABLE practices benefiting both the environment and local communities.

We treat our team like family and ensure they receive fair wages. We are incredibly proud of each member of our team! Their dedication makes it possible for us to provide the top-notch service that our many travelers appreciate.

At “Illapa Peru Trip,” we understand that our reputation and the feedback from our travelers are essential for gaining the trust of future adventurers. You can check out honest reviews from our guests on TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Google to see why we’re a reliable choice for creating your Peruvian adventure.

Small Group Travel

To ensure a more personalized experience at “Illapa Peru Trip,” we keep our group sizes to a maximum of 8 travelers. This approach allows us to offer a tailored experience, unlike companies that operate with larger groups.

About Our Tour Guides

Our guides are our pride. They’re highly knowledgeable and professional, fluent in English, and deeply passionate about Inca culture and history. Each guide is committed to ongoing personal and professional development, allowing them to share accurate insights and fascinating theories about Andean heritage. They are friendly, athletic, and well-educated, with backgrounds in Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.

Our Inca Trail Porters

Hiking with “Illapa Peru Trip” ensures a fulfilling experience. Our porters are here to make your journey comfortable and memorable. They carry your equipment, prepare meals, set up camps, and attend to your needs so you can relax and enjoy the adventure. Along the way, you’ll connect with local people, explore stunning sites, and discover historic Inca villages.

We provide our porters with essential equipment at no cost: jackets, sun hats, warm hats, shirts, pants, hiking boots, comfortable bags, canteens, back support belts, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. Our porters come from remote communities, and by hiring them, we help improve their economic conditions and support their children’s education. We treat our porters like family!

Our Team and Equipment

Our team—guides, cooks, porters, muleteers—and our equipment make “Illapa Peru Trip” stand out from the competition. During our hikes, we provide:

Our Tents: We use 4-season EUREKA Timberline tents, designed for four but used by two for extra comfort and storage. They include a small vestibule for boots and poles.
Foam Mats: Insulate you from the ground for added warmth.
Kitchen and Dining Tents: Serve as a common area during meals, perfect for relaxing and socializing.
Tables and Chairs: Set up in the dining area, adapted for varying weather.
Travel Bags: Provided the night before the trek.
Additional Items: We offer pillows, rain covers for backpacks, survival shirts, and portable toilets during the trek.

Our Commitment to Social Responsibility

“Illapa Peru Trip” is committed to giving back to isolated communities. We support social projects and prioritize hiring local staff.

We are proud to support local communities not only by providing employment but also by offering assistance to their families. This holistic approach benefits our employees from the Peruvian Andes and their loved ones, strengthening our connection to the local heritage.