The South Valley Cusco Tour is located only 30 minutes from Cusco, is an off-the-beaten-path region of remarkable history, culture, and landscapes. This is a less visited self-guide that allows you to visit the extraordinary Inca hydraulic system of Tipón, the ancient pre-Inca city of Piquillacta, and the baroque styled Andahuaylillas Church, known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Andes.”
While most visitors focus on the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, the South Valley offers a different perspective on the Cusco region. Just a short drive from the city, this area brings together Inca engineering, pre-Inca history, colonial art, and traditional villages that continue to preserve local customs. The pace is slower, the roads are quieter, and many of the places visited still feel connected to everyday life in the Andes.
On your journey, you will visit traditional Andean towns of Oropesa, known for its bread, (the bread is some of the best), Huaro and Huasao, noted for artisans and mystical traditions of the Andes. Enjoy a natural highlights such as the Huacarpay Lagoon and the Vilcanota River. The South Valley Cusco Tour is a tour for the type of traveler who wants a half-day tour based on archaeology, colonial art, and real Andean live, away from tourist crowds.