TIPON, PIKILLAQTA & ANDAHUAYLILLAS TOUR 1 DAY

Duration:
1 Día

Maximum
Altitude:
3600 msnm

Location:
Tipon, Pikillacta and Andahuaylillas

Price:
$29

Itinerary

GENERAL INFORMATION

TRAVEL STYLE: Full Day

MINIMUM GROUP: 02 persons

DEPARTURES: Subject to availability


 

Description:

The TIPON, PIKILLAQTA, ANDAHUAYLILLAS TOUR explores three beautiful sites south of Cusco.
It is a wonderful way to begin acclimatizing to the high altitude of Cusco and get ready for a trek if you have booked one. This tour is south of Cusco and off the beaten path so you won’t run into many tourists on this one. TIPON has numerous impressive terraces that are still being cultivated today. Amazingly the irrigation system that the Inca’s built is still serving agricultural areas nearby. It consists of carved stone channels, precisely calculated, constituting a hydraulic engineering masterpiece. PIKILLAQTA is a massive pre-Inca ruin site that consists of more than 700 structures: 200 Kanchas (departments), 504 qolqas (storage rooms) and multiple other buildings that could have housed about ten thousand people. The city was displayed in a harmonious and symmetric way, in blocks with straight streets. The walls were made of mud and stones, wide at the bottom and tapering towards the top. In the early 1990’s, these walls were covered with mud 9cm thick, that were then painted with plaster. The floors were also made with a kind of thick plaster which would have displayed the appearance of a white city. ANDAHUAYLILLAS has a stunning church called San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, also known as “The Sistine Chapel of America” due to the quality of its art pieces. Built at the beginning of VII century, the interior of the temple is decorated with murals by Luis Riaño (XVII century). Additionally, the church houses a majestic piano, numerous canvases by the Academy of Cusco, silver work and baroque altars.

Minimum passengers necessary for tour departure: 2 people (small group, 1 person or private/custom treks possible with extra fee). Maximum trekkers per group: 10 people (special, private party groups can exceed maximum).

 

Full itinerary:

Day 1: 

You will be collected from your hotel in Cusco at 8:30am and driven with your guide to Tipon where you will explore the beautiful terraces still in use today. Your guide will explain the incredible mastery the Incas had over irrigation and construction and the history, architecture and local traditions of each site visited. Next we drive to Pikillaqta where you can explore this massive, geometric city, the use of which is still speculated about today. Finally we drive to Andahuaylillas where we will see beautiful colonial architecture and the main attraction, San Pedro de Andahuaylillas Church (aka Sistine Chapel of America), with all of its incredible art. After exploring this area we return via private transport to your hotel in Cusco.

Meeting point: your hotel in Cusco
Tour departure: 8:30am
Tour finish time: around 1:00pm
Daily departures with 2+ people

Includes

Included

  • Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco
  • Private Transport to Tipon, Pikillaqta, Andahuaylillas and back to Cusco
  • Professional English-speaking guide who will provide the guided tour
  • 1 Day Tourist Ticket for sites included in this tour
  • Bottle of water and snacks (can cater to any dietary need)

 

Not included

  • Flights
  • Hotel before/after trek
  • Dinner on the last day
  • Sleeping bags and walking poles (poles must have intact rubber bottoms)
  • Entrance to hot springs
  • Travel interruption & travel medical/evacuation insurance (required)
  • Tip for your guide(s) and trek staff are optional but highly encouraged if you enjoy your trek

Recommendations

Recommendations:

  • Sleeping bags and walking poles (poles must have intact rubber bottoms)
  • Recommend a sleeping bag rated for 20F/-7C or below for this trek
  • Sleeping bag liner (for your sleeping bag if you wish)
  • Mattress pad – while we provide a mattress pad, being rested is essential for a great hiking experience and we find that sleep habits are very individualized. Therefore we recommend bringing your own pad that you know you are comfortable sleeping on, as well as any other sleep items you might want to have (camp pillow, etc).
  • Sunscreen: the sun is very strong in Cusco
  • Sun hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Lip balm
  • Hiking shoes/boots with good, grippy tread
  • Optional: microspikes in case of excessive snowfall (rare)
  • Hiking pants (or shorts) and shirts (layers)
  • Layers – long underwear and/or warm sleep pants for cold nights
  • Hand warmers if you wish
  • Warm hat, gloves, scarf and thick warm socks (or you can buy a traditional Peruvian hat and scarf – they are beautiful!)
  • Daypack and rain cover
  • Rain gear – rain jacket and rain pants (optional for the pants), can buy an inexpensive poncho before the trek
  • Cash for tipping porters (USD or Peruvian Soles are fine), cooks, horsemen, guides, buying items along the trail, for in town, emergencies, etc. Note: Cash should be in perfect condition (ripped, damaged bills of any kind are NOT accepted anywhere in Peru)
  • Swim suit, flip flops, towel for any hot springs you may visit (not every trek/trip has this) if you wish to go
  • Sandals
  • Torch/flashlight/headlamp (and batteries)
  • Insect repellent if you plan to visit Machu Picchu
  • Hand sanitizer and face covering (for COVID-19 Pandemic)
  • Extra snacks if you wish (beyond snacks provided by us)
  • E.g. if you have a favorite protein bar as Cusco doesn’t sell items like this
  • First aid kit, including blister protection (though your guide will have one, you may wish to carry one of your own)
  • Personal medication and toiletries you might want/need
  • Camera, extra memory cards, batteries and solar panel/power bank
  • Water bottle or water bladder to refill
  • Passport (must be valid 6 months past your final travel dates for most countries)
  • Copies of passport (keep copies separate, give to travel friends to keep, etc)
  • Power plug adapter
  • Travel lock(s) approved by TSA (or they cut them off – US only)
  • Tickets, itinerary, emergency contact information
  • Any medications you currently are taking or need/may need (see suggestions below)
  • Small quick-dry pak towels and/or compostable wipes for a quick wipe down at the end of the day

Prices

Prices in USD:

  • 100/person for 6-10 guests
  • 110/person for 3-5 guests
  • 125/person for 2 guests

Solo price upon request

Private treks, single trekker, custom treks, large groups, and packages welcome, Please email us to customize.


 

What to carry – Daypacks

On the trail you should carry a day pack with your camera, water bottle or bladder, snacks, hand sanitizer, face mask, cold weather clothing and rain gear or poncho in case of rain (unlikely in dry season – May to October) and anything you will need before dinner as horses do not walk alongside you. A recommended packing list is sent after you book the trip and can be found below under the “what to pack for your trek” tab. We will provide you with a dry bag for your overnight gear to be carried by horses. Your bag will be waiting for you at every campsite. Yes, we can store your luggage for you during the trek. Most hotels/hostels also provide this service.

Mayoucazau

Name: Mayoucazau

I had a really great time, discovering the surroundings of Cusco with Treasure Hunting Peru. We visited some ruins after a nice walk, beautiful...

Tour: Salkantay 5D/4N
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