The South Valley circuit just outside Cusco is a region little-visited by tourists, but very popular among locals! Spectacular scenery, regional culinary specialties and a dash of Andean mysticism await you on this captivating one-day excursion through the South Valley Circuit.
For a longer tour with additional archaeological highlights – perfect for the history buff – check out our Tipon South Valley Tour!
High quality personalized experience
Unique, off-the-beaten track routes
Experienced staff
Verified sustainability practices
$20 of every trek donated to Threads of Peru
Today, we leave the city behind and head south for the South Valley circuit! Our first stop is Oropesa. This village, only 11km from Cusco, was popular with conquistadors due to its surprisingly sunny climate. It was these Spanish colonizers who introduced wheat to the area and changed Oropesa forever: it is now officially Peru’s bread capital. There are at least 40 bread ovens in this South Valley circuit town, and 90% of the population are bread-makers! We’ll check out some panaderías and munch on some of the delicious pan chuta (chuta bread) the town is best known for, before heading for our next stop, Tipon.
Tipon was the site where the Incas domesticated plants for food, and it is home to impressive agricultural terracing and an extensive, still-operational irrigation system. After exploring this South Valley circuit ruin, we’ll hike 3km down the hill through pretty farmland to the town of Tipon, where we’ll have lunch at a typical quinta (home-style restaurant). Tipon is Peru’s recognized cuy (guinea pig) capital, so this is the most authentic place to try this very traditional dish!
Our last stop is the tiny village of Huasao. Huasao is locally known for its talented brujos (witches or shamans), said to be able to make you successful in life and love with their potions, and cure illnesses with plant and animal rituals. If you’re game, you can have your future read in coca leaves!
Our tour of the South Valley Circuit concludes after this and we make our back to Cusco.
Are you interested in doing something a little more hands-on during your excursion? We can arrange a cultural workshop in Tipon where you can choose from among 4 different activities. Options include:
Each workshop takes about 1h and is an additional $39 per person.
Tanta wawa is bread baked in the shape of a baby and typically made for holidays like Todos Santos (Day of the Living/Day of the Dead) in November. The ceramics workshop is split into two parts: first, you get to take a spin on the potter’s wheel; then, you can paint an already-fired figurine, which is yours to keep. In the traditional medicines workshop, you will learn to make ointments using traditional herbs found at the workshop, which you get to keep. Finally, in the mask-making workshop you will learn how to create traditional masks from Paucartambo, like those on display during the Virgen del Carmen festival in July.
