Tipon

The Basics

Tipón’s location in Cusco’s Southern Valley means that most visitors choose to visit the site as part of a guided tour, in order to avoid the stress of car rental and navigation. Travelers can choose between an express half-day or full-day tour, many of which also stop at Pikillacta to see its pre-Inca ruins and at Andahuaylillas, home of the church known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Tipón is a great alternative to Machu Picchu for visitors looking to escape the crowds.

• The journey through the Southern Valley from Cusco is incredibly scenic, and private tours allow you to make stops whenever you choose.

• The uneven surfaces and terraced landscapes of Tipón make it inaccessible to wheelchairs.

• A lack of information panels means that Tipón is best explored with a guide.

• Admission to Tipón is included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket.

How to Get There

From central Cusco, Tipón is a 30-minute drive. If you’re visiting Tipón independently, you can catch acolectivo (shared taxi) from Plaza San Francisco and embark on a steep 45-minute hike up to the ruins. Taxis are sometimes waiting to take visitors to the top, but tours that include round-trip transport let you skip the hard uphill hike.

When to Get There

The archaeological site of Tipón is open daily from 7am to 6pm. Unlike the world-famous Machu Picchu, Tipón rarely receives many visitors, so you’re likely to have the 500-acre (200-hectare) site to yourself no matter when you visit.

The Spiritual Significance of Tipón

Although archaeologists are still puzzling over the exact function of Tipón, the majority agree on its spiritual significance. Considered more of a ritual garden, Tipón’s terraces are said to be built to channel natural energy, and the site, which also features fountains and water channels, is reputed to be a place where Inca people worshipped water.