Tipon Pikillacta Ruins – Piquillacta Ruins and Andahuaylillas Church
Tipon Pikillacta Ruins or Piquillacta Ruins and Andahuaylillas Church half day tour is a perfect addition to the Sacred Valley Tour. It takes you to the three lesser known archaeological sites of the Inca Empire and Pre Inca Empire (Wari Culture) in the South Sacred Valley of Cusco.
Tipon Cusco:
Tipon Cusco is an Inca ruin on a hilltop overlooking the valley. Although not as massive as Machu Picchu or Pisac, this 15th century archeological site spread over 239 hectares. The complex primarily comprises Inca terraces.
Farming terraces of Tipon Cusco are fed by water from the nearby hot springs. Most of the aqueducts which were built by Incas are in use even today. On a visit to Tipon Cusco, you will get an insight to the Incas’ advancement in engineering.
Tipon is also a popular weekend getaway among locals. The village is popular for local delicacy – cuy (guinea pig meat). Every weekend hundreds of locals drive from the city of Cusco.
Piquillacta Ruins:
Pikillacta Ruins is a well preserved Pre Inca site. It was built during the Wari civilization. The name Pikillacta in Quechua means flea city.
Just like Tipon, Pikillacta Ruins is also home to different farming terraces. However, the complex did not have a proper irrigation system. The only source of water here was from the nearby lake which is a kilometre away down in the valley.
In a recent excavation, archaeologists found different potteries. They had paintings of Maize along with their deities. This is a testament that Maize was an important crop to Waris.
Pikillacta Ruins is the only Pre Inca site in the region.
Andahuaylillas Church:
Andahuaylillas Sistine Chapel of America is an unmissable stop in the South Valley Tour. It was built in the 16th century by Jesuits. It was built on the remains of a pre-columbian ceremonial site.
Why Peruvian Highland Trek?
Peruvian Highland Trek is a fully locally owned tour operating company based in Cusco. We are licensed tour operators. All our tour guides are locals. They have extensive knowledge about trekking and local culture.
Please take a moment to check out our reviews on Tripadvisor.
Itinerary
Day 1: South Valley Cusco Tour
We will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco and will be driving you to Tipon. Here we will be visiting the archaeological site. Our tour guide will walk you through different parts of the complex and explain the significance of each site.
After touring the complex, we will be driving you through Oropesa to Pikillacta. Oropesa is the bread capital of the country. It is home to plenty of bakeries.
Piquillacta Ruins nestles on a hilltop overlooking the valley. We will be giving you a guided tour of the complex. Here you will get an insight to the Wari Civilization.
We will then continue this half day South Valley Tour to Andahuaylillas. It is home to the Sistine Chapel of Andahuaylillas. Here we will be visiting the prominent chapel where our local expert will be giving you a tour.
After this, we will return to the city of Cusco. We will be dropping you off at the main square, Plaza de Armas.
Includes
Included:
- Cusco hotel pickup
- Round trip transport
- English speaking local tour guide
Not Include
Not Included:
- Entrance to sites. Tourist Ticket (Circuit II city)
- Entrance to Andahuaylillas Chapel
- Meals
- Any private expense
Gallery
