Ollantaytambo Travel Guide: Discover the Living Inca City in Peru's Sacred Valley

Bienvenidos! As your guide through Ollantaytambo, I invite you to step into a unique place where Inca history is not just remembered—but lived. This ancient town is one of the most fascinating and best-preserved Inca settlements in Peru, and it’s the only site where locals still inhabit the original Inca structures.
 

Located in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, between Cusco and Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo is more than a stopover. It’s a living museum, a base for explorers, and a sacred site filled with myths, temples, and stone terraces that cling to the mountainsides.

📍 Where is Ollantaytambo?

Ollantaytambo is situated in the Urubamba Province of the Cusco Region, about 72 km (45 miles) northwest of Cusco.

🌄 How to Get There:

🚗 By car or bus: ~1.5 to 2 hours from Cusco

🚉 By train: A major train station to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu)

🚐 Accessible via Sacred Valley tours or colectivos

🏆 Why Visit Ollantaytambo?

Ollantaytambo is a must-visit for travelers seeking:

✅ Authentic Inca architecture and original stonework

✅ Impressive Inca fortress and terraces

✅ A peaceful alternative to busier tourist towns

✅ Gateway to Machu Picchu by train

✅ A vibrant blend of indigenous Quechua culture and Andean spirituality

🏛️ Top Attractions in Ollantaytambo

1. 🏯 Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site

This vast fortress is the town’s crown jewel. Built by the Incas in the 15th century, it served both as a religious temple and a military stronghold.

🧱 Marvel at the Temple of the Sun with its massive granite blocks

⛰️ Climb the Terraces of Pumatallis for a panoramic view of the Sacred Valley

🔍 Don’t miss the Inca storehouses on the opposite mountainside

🕐 Allow 2–3 hours for a thorough visit.

2. 🏘️ Old Town (Living Inca Village)

Explore the cobblestone streets that follow the original Inca urban layout, with canals still flowing from Inca engineering. You’ll see ancient walls integrated into local homes.

🧺 Local markets and traditional weaving

🧓 Meet residents who speak Quechua and maintain ancestral customs

3. 🗿 Pinkuylluna Mountain Granaries

Across from the fortress, this moderate hike leads to the Inca grain storage buildings carved into the cliffside.

⛰️ Short but steep (~1 hour round trip)

📸 Best views of the archaeological complex and the town below

4. ⛪ Plaza de Armas

The town square is lively with markets, cafes, and restaurants. A great place to enjoy local food or rest after exploring ruins.

🥾 Day Trips and Nearby Attractions

Ollantaytambo is a strategic base to explore the Sacred Valley:

🌄 Maras & Moray

Explore circular Inca agricultural terraces and the surreal salt ponds

~1 hour drive from Ollantaytambo

🧭 Pisac Ruins & Market

Known for its large terraces and spiritual views

Combine with a Sacred Valley tour

🏞️ Urubamba

Great for relaxing in eco-lodges and local culinary experiences

🚆 Ollantaytambo: The Gateway to Machu Picchu

Ollantaytambo’s train station is the main departure point for travelers heading to Machu Picchu.

🚉 Trains operated by PeruRail and IncaRail

🕘 Departures start early morning until late afternoon

📍 Final destination: Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu

📌 TIP: Stay overnight in Ollantaytambo to catch an early train and explore before the Machu Picchu crowds arrive.

🧳 What to Pack

🧥 Lightweight jacket (mornings and evenings can be cold)

🧢 Hat and sunscreen (high UV at altitude)

👟 Comfortable walking shoes for ruins and hikes

📷 Camera with zoom for ruins and scenic views

💧 Reusable water bottle

🍽️ Where to Eat in Ollantaytambo

Apu Veronica Restaurant – Andean dishes with a view

Hearts Cafe – Great food supporting local education projects

El Albergue Farm to Table – Organic cuisine and beautiful garden setting

🏨 Where to Stay in Ollantaytambo

🏡 Budget:

Hostal Iskay

Casa de Wow

🏨 Mid-range:

El Albergue Ollantaytambo

Intiterra Casa Hacienda

🏔️ Luxury:

Hotel Pakaritampu

Del Pilar Ollantaytambo

Staying overnight is highly recommended to enjoy the town before and after day tourists arrive.

📅 Best Time to Visit Ollantaytambo

Dry season (May to September): Best weather for exploring ruins and taking photos

Wet season (October to April): Greener landscapes, but rain is more frequent

🎉 Local festivals like Inti Raymi (June) and Ollantay Raymi (late June) offer Inca-themed reenactments and vibrant celebrations.

🧠 Cultural and Historical Background

Originally built by Pachacuti, the Inca emperor

Served as a royal estate and strategic fortress

Site of a rare Inca victory over Spanish conquistadors in 1537

Name derived from Ollanta, an Inca general from legend, and Tambo, meaning “resting place”

Today, it’s one of the few continuously inhabited Inca towns, where locals still use ancient irrigation and farming techniques.

🧭 Suggested 2-Day Itinerary

Day 1:

Arrive from Cusco

Visit Ollantaytambo fortress and town

Sunset hike to Pinkuylluna granaries

Dinner at a local restaurant

Day 2:

Explore nearby sites (Moray, Maras)

Visit local market

Take an afternoon train to Machu Picchu

📸 Photography Tips

🌄 Sunrise and late afternoon give soft light over the ruins

🏔️ Use a wide-angle lens to capture terraces and cliffs

🎭 Local festivals provide vivid cultural shots—always ask permission before photographing people

🙋 Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ollantaytambo safe?
Yes! It’s a small, peaceful town with a friendly atmosphere.

Can I explore on my own or need a guide?
Both options work. Guides at the archaeological site can provide deep insights, but signs and maps also make solo exploration easy.

How long should I stay?
At least one night—ideally two, especially if you want to explore nearby Sacred Valley sites.

🧡 Final Thoughts: Why You Should Visit Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo is a window into the past—not just because of its stone walls and temples, but because the traditions, language, and community spirit remain alive today. It’s a place of transition—between the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, between history and modern life, and between earth and sky.

Whether you come for the ruins, the journey to Machu Picchu, or the cultural immersion, Ollantaytambo invites you to slow down, connect, and reflect. Come walk the same stone streets the Inca did. You won’t forget the feeling.