Tipón
A masterpiece of Inca hydraulic engineering, where spring water flows along stone channels between terraced fields. It is known as the 'Temple of Water.'
Tipón lies about 25 km southeast of Cusco and was an Inca royal estate. Twelve huge stone terraces are built into the mountainside. A spring is channeled through a carefully designed main canal, distribution points and waterfalls, so that water flows evenly through every terrace. The system still works today, and the American Society of Civil Engineers has recognized it as a historic civil engineering landmark. The site is at a higher elevation, and a full visit takes about 1.5 hours, with views over the southern Cusco valley along the way. It is included in the BTC ticket. The town of Tipón at the foot of the hill is known for cuy al horno (oven-roasted guinea pig), which you can sample on the way. It is often combined with Pikillaqta and Andahuaylillas as a one-day Southern Valley trip.
Opening hours
07:00–17:30
Nearby sights
- Pikillaqta
- Church of San Pedro Apóstol, Andahuaylillas
- Q'enqo
- Qorikancha
- Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco
- Puka Pukara
- San Blas
- Twelve-Angled Stone & Hatun Rumiyoc Street