Tipon Pikillacta Ruins – Piquillacta Ruins and Andahuaylillas Church

The tour starts with a pickup from your hotel in Cusco. We will then drive you to the Inca ruins of Tipon. Tipon in Quechua means Flea City. It is a site popular for water channels and agricultural terraces. It was ceremonial centre to Incas for worshipping water. 

The street below the site is popular among locals. During weekends, locals gather to savour the local delicacy guinea pig which is a popular tradition here.

The next stop will be at the Pikillacta or Piquillacta ruins. It is the only site that exists from Pre Inca time. On the way, we will be passing through a dusky town of Oropesa. It is the “bread capital of Peru”. It houses over fifty different bakeries. 

Pikillaqta is a hilly region with small lakes in the vicinity. The complex entirely built in adobe. They once dominated the coastal and central parts of Peru. During the Wari rule and even during the Incas, maize was majorly produced here. 

Maize was so important to Waris that they painted it in their pottery along with supernaturals and deities. Back then, Pikillacta controlled the whole region through agriculture.

We will then visit Andahuaylillas. It is home to The Sistine Chapel of the Americas. Although from outside it may not seem so eye catching, the interiors are an eye popping kaleidoscope. It has a dazzling display of colourful murals, an ornate gold leaf altar and ceilings painted in coffered. 

San Pedro Apostol de Andahuaylillas as known by the locals, was built at the end of the 16th century. One of its murals, signed by Luis de Riaño, has a date written in it that states it is from the year 1626.

After the tour, we will be returning to the city of Cusco.