Customizable private tour with flexible departure dates. Solo travelers are welcome—contact us for availability and a personalized quote.
Overview
This is a new, comprehensive tour that begins in the city of Cusco and traverses the beautiful Andean mountains along the famous route known as the “Southern Zone” or the “Route of the Sun.” The itinerary includes visits to Tipón, the Wayki Museum, and the picturesque village of Raqchi—home to the Temple of Wiracocha. The program encompasses visits to these sacred sites and a museum, an exploration of local gastronomy, and even a hike along a section of the Inca Trail. After lunch, we will visit the archaeological site of Raqchi—an Inca settlement of great significance during the era of the empire—before resting in Sicuani, ready for an early start the following day.
TIPÓN THE HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING SYSTEM
Tipón is located about 25 kilometers from Cusco, in the Oropesa district, at an altitude of approximately 3,450 meters (11,200 feet) above sea level. The hike is not particularly demanding, though the terrain features gradual terraces and is subject to intense, direct sunlight.
What makes this site magical and unique is its hydraulic engineering system, which includes stone channels that remain perfectly aligned. Springs continue to flow through these channels, which are set at a carefully designed gradient that allows the water to move without eroding the stone walls. This engineering is most easily appreciated during the dry season, between April and November. During the rainy season, the volume of water increases, and as surfaces become damp, it is essential to wear footwear with good grip to avoid slipping.
Continuing the journey, we pass through Oropesa, a town known for the production of “Pan Chuta” (a traditional local bread). It is a good place to take a break and use the restroom facilities.
THE WAYKI MUSEUM
This is a very famous and mysterious place that houses archaeological remains, including a mummy, which are on display in a private museum in the town of Andahuaylillas, located next to the Andahuaylillas church.
RAQCHI – TEMPLE WIRACOCHA
This is one of the most impressive archaeological sites south of Cusco, Peru, and an exceptional example of the architectural, religious, and administrative development of the Inca culture. The site is notable for housing the famous Temple of Wiracocha a monumental structure that bears witness to the organizational and urban-planning capabilities of the Incas.
Today, Raqchi is part of the major tourist routes connecting the southern region of Cusco with Puno.
PALLAY PUNCHU – APU TACLLO
Located more than 200 kilometers from the city of Cusco, atop a peak at 4,700 meters (15,418 feet) above sea level, lies a mountain formation that displays a variety of hues—the result of a complex combination of minerals.
According to research conducted at the site, the mountain’s multicolored tones are reminiscent of the ponchos worn by local people and throughout Peru. The poncho is an essential garment for men, one that transcends both borders and the passage of time.
This remarkable site is situated in the Peruvian Andes, within the Cusco region and the province of Canas, at an altitude of 4,700 meters above sea level. It is located in the district of Layo, where it is known as “Pallay Punchu – Apu Tacllo.”
Prices & Inclusions
All itineraries are subject to change due to seasonal weather conditions (and resultant variations in river and tributary water levels) affecting accessibility to locations. Thus navigation routes, times and excursions may need to be modified at the cruise captain’s or your guide’s discretion.
Pallay Punchu & South Valley Tour Prices
| Number of Travelers | 1 Pax | 2 Pax | 4 Pax | 6 Pax | 8 Pax | 10 Pax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Option 1 | $940 | $560 | $390 | $330 | $310 | $300 |
| Option 2 | $980 | $600 | $430 | $370 | $350 | $340 |
Note: Prices are in USD per person and vary according to the number of travelers and the selected option.
How to Book
- Send Your Inquiry Share your preferred dates, number of participants, and accommodation details.
Solo travelers or guests with questions are welcome to contact us before booking. - Confirm Availability We will coordinate availability, ceremony logistics, and the best schedule for your experience.
- Reservation Deposit A deposit is required to secure and confirm your reservation.
- Booking Confirmation Once your reservation is confirmed, we will send all final details including pick-up time, recommendations, and important information for your ceremony.
If you already have planned dates and are 2 or more travelers, you can book directly using the Book Now button.
- Hotel pickup
- Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English)
- Private transport
- Hotel in Sicuani
- First-aid kit and oxygen tank
- Trekking poles
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Buffet-style lunch
- All entrance fees (Tipon, Wayki Museum, Raqchi, Pallay Punchu)
- Dinner in Sicuani
- Drinks and snacks
- Tips
- Oxyshot (in case you need help adjusting to the altitude)
- Good hiking footwear (trekking boots)
- Water
- Camera
- A sweater and gloves for the cold
- A waterproof jacket or poncho
- Sportswear
- A hat or cap for sun protection
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- A standard backpack
- long-sleeved shirts
- A warm jacket
- Basic medications.
- Acclimatize for at least 3 days in the Sacred Valley before taking this trip.
Pallay Punchu Itinerary
HE ROUTE OF THE SUN - WIRACOCHA: TIPÓN, WAYKI, RAQCH
We will pick you up from your hotel at 8:00 a.m. or 8:30 a.m. and travel in our private vehicle to Tipón, where we will explore the most significant Inca hydraulic engineering system in the Cusco region. Next, we will visit the Wayki Museum, where you can learn about local traditions and view mummies, coca leaves, and fossilized stones.
Afterward, we will continue our journey to enjoy a delicious lunch.
Following lunch, we will visit the archaeological complex of Raqchi—also known as the Temple of Wiracocha—an impressive Inca site featuring ceremonial enclosures and circular storehouses, or “Chullpas”.
Finally, we will head to Sicuani to check into our hotel, preparing for an early start the next day.
PALLAY PUNCHU
After breakfast at 7:00 a.m., we will depart for our excursion to Pallay Punchu Mountain. Our route takes us through Sicuani and Marangani, arriving at Pallay Punchu in approximately 50 minutes.
From there, we begin our trek to the summit, where you can admire the unique beauty of Pallay Punchu—often called the “Andean Poncho”—with its magical colors and shapes that evoke traditional ancestral textiles. You will enjoy panoramic views of mountains, lagoons, and valleys before heading back to enjoy a local lunch. Afterward, we will begin our return journey to Cusco, where we will drop you off right at your hotel.
