Regional travel in Peru – Travel program PTW-CUS009-en
Tipon, Pikillaqta, Andahuaylillas
4 hours
In the valley south of Cusco there is a multitude of sites, villages and landscapes, old farms and noble mansions. There are remains from the colonial period, before the Spanish conquest and before the Incas.
•
8:30 h: hotel pick-up.
• Approximately 35 minutes drive south to the archaeological complex of Tipon, an impressive and extraordinary piece of inca engineering dedicated to water. In the springs and channels of this enigmatic and mystical place surrounded by terraces and squares in the middle of an enchanting landscape, the water still flows with the same force as more than 500 years ago. Today it arouses the interest of spiritual and meditation groups.
• Continue to lake Huacarpay, known for its biodiversity and bird life.
•
Arrive at Pikillaqta, the impressive stone and mud citadel attributed to
the Wari culture. About 10000 people are said to have lived in this city
with a perfect and harmonious geometric layout before the Incas. There are
about 700 buildings, 200 «kanchas» (apartments) and 504 «colgas»
(warehouses).
• Continue to Andahuaylillas, a typical village of the peruvian Andes. Here is one of the area's most important spanish monuments, a 17th-century church known as the «Capilla Sixtina de América» (American Sistine Chapel), with impressive altarpieces, monumental paintings, wood carvings and a ceiling entirely filled with paintings. The organ is one of the oldest in South America.
• Return to Cusco.
Photos: ANDINA
