Tipón is located near Oropesa in the Community of Choquepeda. It is a National Archaeological Park located east of the city of Cusco. It covers approximately 2,200 hectares and is located in the department of Cusco, Oropesa district, province of Quispicanchis. To get to the main archaeological monument there is a distance of 5 km. The road starts from kilometer 18 of the Cusco-Puno road, heading north, crossing the Watanay stream.
Half a kilometer off the paved road we find the small town of Tipón. The dwelling is part of the village of Quispicanchis, which was owned by San Lorenzo de los Valles (1650-1802). This, without a doubt, was the most important monument of colonial times, but today it is completely abandoned.
The original Quechua name of the park is unknown. You can see various groups of royal rooms that according to Víctor Angles were built by the Inca Wiraqocha as a refuge for his father YawarWakaq, upon his return from the war against the Chancas.
This group of villages is located at an altitude of 3,500 meters. (11,480 feet). There is also a large cultivation space that contains 12 very fertile terraces that are currently cultivated, and whose walls were built with carved stones.
The tourist places of Tipón in Perú is one of the ruins most visited by a large number of tourists and students from other countries.
Location:
This ancient Inca town of Tipón in Perú is located 23 km. southeast of Cusco, at an altitude of 3,560 meters above sea level; but the highest area of ??the park is located in the Ranraq’asa pass, above 3,850 meters. It belongs to the district of Oropesa, province of Quispicanchis in the department of Cusco.
Attractions:
The main sectors that make up Tipón in Perú are:
The origin of the sacred waters in Tipón
The origin of the «sacred» waters that run through the canals and end in sources and sewers of Tipón are still being investigated. There are many versions of this, the version most spread by the guides is that the waters come from the summits of Pachatusan or from underground currents typical of the mountain. The advanced technology used to mobilize the waters of the springs for the service of man is undeniable.
Walls in Tipón
Upon reaching Tipón in Perú, one is impressed by its towering walls and the impressive development in hydraulic engineering where water was worshiped. The great defense wall that surrounds the complex is approximately 5 km long, 1 to 2 m wide and 5 to 10 meters high.
It is possible that the Tipón area has been occupied by manors that fought wars for many years and to make sure, they built colossal and extensive defensive walls, which undoubtedly took many years of work. Later the wall lacked an object since all the regional kingdoms became part of the great Tahuantinsuyo Empire. It is worth highlighting the presence of the so-called “zarunas” or projecting steps that appear on the walls of the platforms, in the form of huge lithic nails arranged like stairs, which were built to avoid occupying the space with the stairs. Archaeological group corresponding to the Inca period in which an exceptional irrigation system can be seen with horizontal vertical irrigation channels on stepped terraces, the water flows from the subsoil to a source from which it is distributed through the mentioned channels. It was an important agricultural production center.
Platforms and underground channels in Tipón
Due to the diversity and formation of the platforms, Tipón could be a center of agrarian experimentation as Moray is believed to have been. In times past, this place was a mystical religious pilgrimage center, where Inca priests came before the winter solstice.
Among its precincts, the incredible canals stand out, which until now irrigate various agricultural terraces and ceremonial fountains. Close to the steps stand out some steps that act as steps in the impressive walls of the platforms and on the wall. The whole set, built with carved stones, marvels at its harmony and gives a feeling of relaxing due to the environment. You can feel the sound of the water, the cool of the wind and the landscape is beautiful.
The main fountain in Tipón
The main source has 4 slopes. In this fountain you can see lateral niches, which may have had a role in a ceremonial ritual. The sources remind us of the sources of Tambomachay in Cusco. The fountain has an image that represents Wiracocha Pachayachachic «the designer of the universe», we can also see it in the Intihuatana.
Intiwatana
Beautiful first-class rooms with exquisite trapezoidal niches, from where almost all of Tipón can be visually covered, are located a few meters from the main premises. They are located higher on a mountainous elevation that protects the entire complex.
Royal Enclosures and Gardens
Beautiful rooms and gardens built on the basis of megalithic stone blocks constituted the Royal House that Wiracocha had built as a dwelling for his father Yahuar Huaca. This is the most beautiful and wide group of the complex, it has beautiful fountains and gutters that to this day continue to pour water, which emerges from mysterious and secret underground channels. An ovoid tower-like construction is located to the south of the platforms. From this place you can see the entire stream with an impressive view.
Minor Precincts
A personality of some importance, but that did not belong to the nobility, must have lived in these enclosures. The rooms, located almost 1 km. of the Intiwatana, they are of lower quality, but despite this they show importance and solemnity. They are initially built of stone and finished with adobe.
The viewpoint and Mountain Cruzmoqo
From Tipón, parallel to an irrigation canal, travelers can ascend Cruzmoqo hill. Which is a strategic observatory from where you can see the Cusco city and the Pachatusan «lever of the universe» the highest Apu in the region.
In the highest part, at about 3800 meters, there is a set of petroglyphs called Cruzmoqo. The petroglyphs or engravings on the rocks that are in the different floors, from the platforms to the very top of the hill. According to historians, the petroglyphs must have played an important role in the religious factor, in relation to astronomical observation.
Schedule
Hours from Monday to Sunday: 07:00 to 18:00.
Cost: Entry included in the Tourist Ticket.
How to get to Tipón in Perú?
To get to Tipón in Perú you can do it on your own, by taxi or private car or a hired tour. To access you must bring the Cusco tourist ticket. The tour lasts around two hours and if you want to skirt the entire area (passing through the Apu Pachatusan) around four hours. The route is very well signposted and the walk is wonderful and relaxing. It is advisable to drink a coca tea before the walk to feel it more relaxing with your chuta bread (you can buy it in advance in Oropesa).
If you go in a group you can take a bus in Urcos and ask the ticket agent to notify you at the detour to Tipón. From Cusco to Tipón is around 25 minutes. If you want to travel by bus you must take it at Av. De la Cultura (in front of the San Antonio de Abad University) and it costs S/. 5.
In the detour to Tipón you can take a taxi to the archaeological park for 4 or 5 soles. You can also do it on foot, if you have a good map or a suitable guide. Attention is from Monday to Sunday from 7am to 6pm.
If you do not have the Tourist Ticket, the entrance for adults is S /. 20 soles and students S /. 10 soles. The place has parking, hygienic bathrooms and a guide, in case you need one. On the other hand, if you are in a private car near the road you will find several cuyerías that you can visit. Where you can choose your own guinea pig, prepared in the Cusco way (either baked or chacctored).
If you visit the city of Cusco another impressive destinations that you can visit are the tour to rainbow mountain peru or the humantay lake tour from cusco, which only takes one day. But if you are gonna to stay more days in Cusco, other archaeological places you can know will be the choquequirao trek peru, the salkantay trek to machu picchu, and the classic inca trail 4 days 3 nights.
