Step off the beaten path and explore three eras of Andean history.
While most travelers rush exclusively to the Sacred Valley, the Cusco South Valley remains a magnificent, well-kept secret. This route offers a peaceful, crowd-free journey through breathtaking landscapes, revealing an incredible timeline of Andean history in just a few hours.
On this premium private tour, we will travel through three entirely distinct periods of Peru's past. We will witness the advanced hydraulics of the Inca Empire at Tipón, explore the sprawling, grid-like streets of the pre-Inca Wari civilization at Pikillacta, and stand in absolute awe beneath the gold-leaf ceilings of Andahuaylillas—a 16th-century church affectionately known as the "Sistine Chapel of the Andes." Along the way, we'll pass through Oropesa, the bread capital of Peru, adding a subtle gastronomic touch to a day filled with culture and exploration.
Our first stop is Tipón, an expansive archaeological complex comprised of 12 majestic agricultural terraces. This site is widely considered one of the greatest examples of hydraulic engineering in the ancient world. You will listen to the soothing sound of water as it flows flawlessly through stone channels that have been operating continuously for over 500 years, originally designed as a ceremonial center to worship the water element.
Leaving the Inca period behind, we travel further back in time to Pikillacta. Built around 700 AD by the Wari Empire (predating the Incas by centuries), this sprawling urban center offers a stark architectural contrast. Instead of the polished, curved stones of the Incas, you will explore a massive, strictly geometric city composed of over 700 buildings, plazas, and long, perfectly straight streets that once housed up to 10,000 people.
Our final destination brings us into the Spanish colonial era. From the outside, the Church of San Pedro Apostol in the quiet town of Andahuaylillas looks beautifully simple. However, stepping inside reveals a jaw-dropping interior completely covered in 16th and 17th-century frescoes, a magnificent gold-leaf altar, and a painted wooden ceiling. It is a stunning visual representation of religious syncretism, where indigenous artists blended their ancient beliefs with Catholic teachings.
