South Valley Tour (Half Day)
Traveler rating
4.0/5
Based on 19 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is South Valley Tour (Half Day) worth booking?
South Valley Tour (Half Day) is a 5-hour experience in Cusco, Peru, from $16 per person. It scores 52 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4/5 rating across 19 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 52 / 100
- Rating
- 4/5 (19)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $16 per person
Sacred Valley Of Incas is a renowned attraction in Cusco. Most travellers visit it on a day trip and some choose to combine it with their trip to Machu Picchu. Chincheros, Maras & Moray, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Pisac
What you get
- First Aid Kit
- Transport
- Bi-Lingual Guide (English & Spanish)
About this experience
Sacred Valley Of Incas is a renowned attraction in Cusco. Most travellers visit it on a day trip and some choose to combine it with their trip to Machu Picchu. Chincheros, Maras & Moray, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Pisac are some of the renowned sites of the Sacred Valley and Sacred Valley VIP tour programme covers them all in a day trip from Cusco. If you are inquisitive to know much more about the history and culture of Peru and Cusco in specific, South Valley Tour would be a great addition to the Sacred Valley Tour. South Valley Tour offers trip to a lesser known attraction off the city of Cusco. Dotted with lakes and Inkan archaeological ruins, the sites of Pikillaqta, Tipon and Andahuaylillas are worth the half day trip from Cusco.
What's included
Included
- First Aid Kit
- Transport
- Bi-Lingual Guide (English & Spanish)
Not included
- Entrance ticket to Andahuaylillas Church (S/. 15 per person)
- Cusco Tourist ticket integral: S/. 130 per person or partial: S/. 70 per person.
What you'll see and do
Tipon
The tour would start at the Incan archaeological complex of Tipon a site known for water channels and agricultural terraces. The water channels of Tipon are believed to be used as a ceremonial centre by Incas to worship water. The street below the site is popular among Cusqueñans. During weekends, locals often gather to savour the local delicacy guinea pig which is a popular tradition here.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Pikillaqta
The next stop on the trip will be in Pikillaqta. On the way to Pikillaqta, we will be passing through a dusky town known as Oropesa. Oropesa is referred to as the “bread capital of Peru”. It houses over a fifty different bakeries in a small town. Pikillaqta is the only site that exists from Pre Inka time. Pikillaqta is a complex entirely built in adobe during the Wari regime. Waris once dominated the coastal and central parts of Peru. Pikillaqta is a hilly region with small lakes in the vicinity. During the Wari rule and even during the Incas, maize was majorly produced in Pikillaqta. Maize was so important for the Waris that they painted it in their potteries along with supernaturals and deities. Back then, Pikillacta was believed to have controlled the whole region through agriculture.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Andahuaylillas
Our next stop will be in Andahuaylillas. Andahuaylillas is home to The Sistine Chapel of the Americas. Although from outside it may not seem so eye catching to most, the interiors of this chapel is an eye popping kaleidoscope. It has a dazzling display of colourful murals, an ornate gold leaf altar and ceilings painted in coffered. The “San Pedro de Andahuaylillas” as known by the locals, was built at the end of the 16th century given the fact that one of its murals, signed by Luis de Riaño, has a date written in it that states it is from the year 1626. We will then return to Cusco.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Machu Picchu Peru Cusco
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 19 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
19 verified traveler reviews for South Valley Tour (Half Day). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
What's up with the raving reviews?
I'm not sure about the raving reviews of this tour but first of all, don't do this tour if you don't understand Spanish. 80% of the tour is in Spanish despite saying bilingual. Our guide had limited English which made asking questions difficult. There is some interesting info but nothing worth spending a day doing this tour especially if you have done the other more popular tours in Cusco. I felt like I paid for a driving service rather than guided tour. Even cheap it is not worth the detour. Do something else.
via Tripadvisor
South Valley great half day tour!
This is a great half day tour to some less touristy incredible sites! If you enjoy history and exploring ruins, worthwhile!
via Tripadvisor
Must see Tipon.
The original Incan ruins where they followed simple agriculture techniques was incredible. Church was closed due to renovation which was huge disappointment. Other ruins were partly closed. Tipon is a must see.
via Viator
The sites were worth it, but I’d find another tour.
The guide was knowledgeable and we saw the sites we were supposed to see. That said, they tell you pick up is at a specific time and the expect you to be ready earlier than that. To get to the transport at the hotel we had to walk blocks through the city in the rain and my shoes were wet before the tour even began. The guide at one point refused to let me use the bathroom, when there clearly was a bathroom to use. I’m glad I could hold it, but what if I couldn’t !? The tour doesn’t say lunch is included, but we went anyway, and I couldn’t do anything about it, so I lost an hour there. They were kind and dropped me at another site on the way back, but it wasn’t out of their way. One of the highlights of the tour was a very knowledgeable and polite man who shared with us the details of how Machu Picchu was discovered. He was lovely.
via Viator
Amazing and educational!
The tour guides were absolutely amazing! They took such great care of us the entire time, making sure that we were taken care. This is definitely less traveled by Americans and Europeans, but it gave it a real authentic touch. The only set back was two in our group only spoke English and the tour was entirely in Spanish. We still had a great time we just thought it was going to be bilingual. The air conditioner was also minimal.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- 1+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 7
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 52
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
South Valley Tour (Half Day): questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cusco.
How much does South Valley Tour (Half Day) cost?
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Prices start at $16 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cusco usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does South Valley Tour (Half Day) take?
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Plan for about 5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cusco is not rushed.
Is South Valley Tour (Half Day) worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 52 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 19 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Cusco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule South Valley Tour (Half Day)?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is South Valley Tour (Half Day) suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 1. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 5-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book South Valley Tour (Half Day)?
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Around 7 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cusco can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cusco and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does South Valley Tour (Half Day) start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cusco within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cusco?
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On Outty we rank every Cusco experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Sacred Valley Full Day Tour, Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco, Cusco: Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Premium Day Trip with Meals. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cusco?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cusco?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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