Cusco South Valley was a very important place for the development of the Inca Empire; It is the perfect route for people looking to experience archaeological sites and magnificent landscapes, without so much company and in a short period. This territory was one of the first inhabited places in the entire Cusco Valley. The first inhabitants of the culture known as Marcavalle populated this place, 1000 years before Christ.
The circuit through the Cusco South Valley will allow you to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Andean highlands; you can see the magnificent hydraulic architecture of Tipón, pre-Inca constructions in Pikillaqta, and beautiful works of art of the Cusco school in the temple of Andahuaylillas. On the way back, you can visit a variety of restaurants; in the village of Scylla the specialty is "chicharrón", but if you want to taste the delicious "cuy" (guinea pig), take advantage of the weather in Tipón. The best way to do this tour is on a private tour, but you will also enjoy being part of an organized tour.
The picturesque setting of stone canals, terraces, and stairways that make up Tipón are said to be part of a royal hacienda built by the eighth Inca ruler, Wiracocha, as a refuge for his father. According to experts, it was once a place of agricultural research and worship. Water is channeled through stone structures, underground aqueducts, and decorative waterfalls, showcasing the Inca´s grasp of hydraulics.
For those who want to know the most ancient roots of Peru, an essential stop is Pikillacta. This impressive pre-Inca city was built by the Wari culture, which dominated a large part of the current Peruvian territory between the years 600 and 1000 A.D., long before the expansion of the Inca Empire.
This ancient city has a very advanced geometric planning, with straight streets and rectangular blocks that show a sense of order uncommon in other pre-Columbian cultures. The buildings, built of mud and stone, reached up to two stories and were interconnected by elevated doors that were accessed by stairs. The walls were plastered and painted white, which suggests that Pikillacta once shone brightly under the sun of the highlands.
Very close by are the monumental gates of Rumicolca, which served as a control point in both Wari and Inca times. Also, the Inca Empire, admiring the solidity of the Wari base, improved its structure with blocks of carved andesite and used it as a customs office and access control point to the imperial capital.
Just 8 km southeast of Pikillacta, the small town of Andahuaylillas hides one of the most surprising treasures of colonial baroque in South America. Its name comes from “Antawaylla”, which in Quechua means “copper meadow”, and its main jewel is a 17th-century Jesuit church, built on the remains of an ancient Inca temple, right in the central square.
At first glance, its adobe facade with two towers looks simple and modest, but the interior is covered with dazzling details: a shiny ceiling with gold leaf, a main altar of carved cedar covered with gold sheets, and a tabernacle full of silver plates. The walls are decorated with canvases from the Cusco School, including scenes from the life of Saint Peter and a Virgin of the Assumption attributed to Murillo.
Among its most notable works is the mural by the painter Luis de Riaño, also from the 17th century, which illustrates the paths to heaven and hell. To the left of the entrance, a unique detail greets the visitor: the phrase “I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” written in five languages, Latin, Spanish, Quechua, Pukina, and Aymara, a testament to the cultural and linguistic mixture of the time.
The ruins of this large temple in the ancient town of Raqch give little indication of their original purpose, but if size counts, then they are truly impressive. You´ll be forgiven for thinking that the place was once an Inca version of the Colosseum or a football stadium. Legend has it that the Temple of Raqchi was built in homage to the god Viracocha, to ask for his intercession in keeping the nearby Quimsa Chata volcano in check. The ploy worked only some of the time. The site, with its huge adobe walls atop a limestone foundation, performed multiple duties as a temple, fortress, barracks, and storage facility.
A day South Valley tour in Cusco makes it possible that people without a lot of available time to overlook the South Valley, but if you are already on your way to Machu Picchu and have an extra day in Cusco, make the day trip to the Cusco South Valley. There are few people and several wonderful places to visit. It is one of the ways to enter the heart of Peruvian culture.
First, you will visit Tipón, a set of terraces and water channels that are believed to have been used by the Incas as a ceremonial center to worship the liquid element. The current city of Tipón has several vendors next to the main road, especially on weekends, when all the restaurants open their doors so you can taste one of the favorite dishes here: the Guinea pig oven.
The pre-Inca ruins of Piquillacta are different from the previous site, it is a pre-Inca city. This adobe complex was built by the Wari culture, which at one time dominated the central and coastal regions of Peru. It is considered the first culture that made use of the terraces (agricultural terraces) superimposed. In addition, many of the administrative practices of the Incas were adopted from the Wari civilization.
Also, during the South Valley tour of Cusco, you can take a short walk to the Huacarpay lagoon. This wetland has been declared a site of international importance due to the large number of migratory birds that stop here. Every October thousands of birds from the northern hemisphere, use this place as a point of passage to the south. Then, when the northern winter ends, in April, they stop on their way back to the northern summer. In addition, birds that avoid the harsh winter in the Andean mountain range, migrate to this place to take advantage of its relatively lower altitude and enjoy better temperatures and a large amount of food. This is a beautiful place to enjoy your lunch.
Finally visit the "Sistine Chapel of the Americas", situated in a beautiful and quiet square. The works of art inside have made this baroque church famous. It has beautiful paintings made by the school of religious art of Cusco School.
Back to Cusco, you can make a small stop in the town of Scylla and try the delicious cusqueños pork rinds and get some bags of roasted pork skin.
Beyond the majesty of Machu Picchu, the surroundings of Cusco offer a variety of experiences that allow you to connect with the culture, history, and landscapes of the Andean Peru. From traditional towns to little-explored natural wonders, there is much to discover just a few kilometers from the imperial city. Discover the best tours in the Cusco region:
Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and more
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