Cusco: Sacred South Valley Tour with Breadmaking Workshop

Highlights

• Step back in time as you explore the ancient Wari city of Pikillacta
• Marvel at the stunning frescoes and murals of the Andahuaylillas Church
• Discover the modern art of Cielo Punku and its Andean cultural roots
• Explore the terraces and water channels of the Inca site of Tipón
• Learn how to make tanta wawa bread in a hands-on workshop

Description

Begin your journey with a pickup from your hotel in Cusco. Depart the historic center and head south, where the Andes open into wide valleys and quieter roads. Today’s journey is designed to flow from the furthest point back toward Cusco, revealing layers of history in reverse. The first stop sets the tone with scale and mystery. Pikillacta, a vast pre-Inca city built by the Wari civilization, stretches across the landscape in precise geometry. Walk through its long corridors and towering adobe walls while imagining a once-thriving urban center that predates the Inca Empire by centuries. Next, head to the San Pedro Apóstol Church of Andahuaylillas, also known as the Andean Sistine Chapel. Behind its modest façade lies one of the most stunning churches in the Andes. Frescoes, gold leaf, and intricate murals cover every surface, blending indigenous symbolism with colonial baroque. Continue to Cielo Punku, which offers a modern interpretation of Andean identity through vibrant, symbolic art. This immersive space connects ancestral cosmology with present-day creativity, challenging the idea that Andean culture exists only in the past. The journey culminates where nature, engineering, and tradition meet. Begin with a guided exploration of Tipón’s terraces and ceremonial water channels, a masterpiece of Inca hydraulic engineering where water flows with effortless precision through stone. Then, step into a local kitchen for a hands-on tanta wawa workshop. Roll up your sleeves and enter a space where tradition is alive and shared. Prepare your own tanta wawa, shaping and decorating this symbolic Andean bread while learning about its role in rituals of remembrance and celebration. As your creation bakes, enjoy a home-style lunch crafted from local ingredients. Finally, take a short, scenic drive back to Cusco, carrying with you the textures of the day, from ancient cities to flour-dusted hands.

Includes

Hotel pick-up and drop-off Touristic transportation Live tour guide Tanta wawa breadmaking workshop Packed lunch

Excludes

Entrance fees to Pikillacta Entrance fees to San Pedro Apóstol Church Entrance fees to Tipon Personal expenses Gratuities

Important Information

• The tour involves walking on uneven surfaces. Weather can change quickly; bring layers. Bring cash for entrances, personal expenses and gratuities.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund