Ollantaytambo – the last city in the Sacred Valley of the Incas

Ollantaytambo

About 72 km from Cusco is Ollantaytambo, often called Ollanta by the locals. At an altitude of about 2792 m, the city is located on the Urubamba River and has a special feature that makes it unique in Peru: parts of the old town are still from the Inca period and have survived the centuries relatively undamaged here.

When the Spaniards expelled the Incas from Cuzco, they moved back here. And not only the old town, but also the huge Inca complex, which is located on the mountain side of Ollataytambo, testify to that.

Sightseeing in the city

Ollantaytambo is the only city where you can still admire the city planning from Inca times. The narrow streets and alleys frame 15 square blocks that lead to a courtyard lined with houses. Many of them are made with the typical dark pink stone, which was withheld from high nobility and priests. Strolling through the city (which takes no more than half an hour), you can admire the beautiful architecture and stop by one of the many restaurants.

The ruins of Ollantaytambo

Only two minutes walk from the center is the temple complex of the Inca era and numerous other buildings. Due to its thick walls, many made in the typical pink sandstone, it is often called Fortaleza. To reach the fortress, you will have to climb a series of steep stairs that lead through the terraces of Pumatallis. At the heart of the fortress is the Temple of the Sun, a building that has never been completed, but with the wall of the Six Monoliths it is clearly the most impressive of Ollantaytambo. The fort includes many other buildings, some even two stories, and water supply systems that still work well.

The area of the temple is the only one made of blocks of carved stone, the rest uses natural stones.

The terraces around Ollanta

The valleys and hills surrounding the Urubamba and Patakancha rivers are home to many of the famous terraced fields of the Inca. Through this type of development, the Inca was able to cultivate areas that would otherwise be inculpable. But even with the terraces there are differences. Therefore, the facilities around Ollataytambo have an exclusive standard, with taller stone walls carved in place of the usual rock walls. Such terraced fields can be found mainly around real plants such as Chinchero, Yucay or Pisaq.

A sunken terrace complex begins just south of Ollantaytambos Plaza de Armas and extends to the river. At its tip, at the southern end, is another ancient Inca site: Q’ellu Raqay. The buildings here differ architecturally from the buildings in Ollanta. It is believed that this was once built as a palace for the Inca leader Pachacuti.

Pinkullyuna – The Inca Warehouses

On the hill opposite the Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo are numerous department stores of the Inca period. Here grain supplies were stored, where they were dry and protected due to weather conditions like down in the valley. But it’s not just the stores that walk here so special. There is probably no other place around Ollantaytambo from where you can better admire the ruins! Therefore, shoes and constant camera do not forget! The walk lasts one to two hours.

Tips for a visit to Ollantaytambo

Shop at the Awamaki Fair Trade Store, a sustainable business that supports the traditional weaving art of Quechua women in remote areas. If you are interested in getting to know the women and the craft itself, you can also book green tours to the Awamaki Weaving Project.
Chicha is a kind of beer made from corn and is extremely popular here – but you already need a strong stomach for it
For some of the sights you need a “Boleto Turistico”. You can purchase this as a “full ticket” or partial ticket (only valid for certain attractions).
If you are interested in all the Inca ruins around Cuzco, the book “Cuzco and the sacred Valley of the Incas” by Salazar & Salazar is recommended – after all, most guides use it themselves!

Hotels Ollantaytambo

Picaflor Tambo

Intitambo Hotel

Tikawasi Valley

Kamma Guest House

Hotel Sol

How to get to Ollantaytambo

Between Urubamba and Ollanta frequent combinations often travel to the city for literal cents. However, these are usually quite full and stuffy.

Of course you can also take the bus that stops here on the way between Urubamba and Cuzco.

And then there is the possibility to come by train to Ollantaytambo, and this is the most beautiful landscape in terms of landscape. Be sure to take the tourist train, not the locals, otherwise it could result in severe penalties. The tourist train runs between Cusco, stops in Ollantaytambo and then continues to Aguas Calientes, from where you can get to Machu Picchu.