Cusco’s South Valley: Tipón, Pikillacta and Andahuaylillas
Most travelers rush north to the Sacred Valley and miss the South Valley entirely. Their loss is your gain: three remarkable sites, almost no crowds, and a glimpse of cultures that came before and after the Incas.
Three sites, three worlds
| Site | What makes it special |
|---|---|
| Tipón | Masterful Inca water gardens and channels still flowing |
| Pikillacta | A vast pre-Inca Wari city of hundreds of buildings |
| Andahuaylillas | A church so painted it is called the Sistine Chapel of the Andes |
Why it is worth your time
Tipón shows the Inca mastery of water; Pikillacta proves great cultures thrived here long before them; and Andahuaylillas dazzles with colonial art. Together they make a rich, crowd-free day. See the South Valley tour.
Discover the South Valley
Tipón, Pikillacta and Andahuaylillas in one day.
Frequently asked questions
A less-visited area south of Cusco with three superb sites: the Inca water gardens of Tipón, the Wari city of Pikillacta, and the painted church of Andahuaylillas.
Because its interior is covered in extraordinary colonial-era murals and gilded art, rivalling far grander cathedrals.