Ollantaytambo: What to See, How to Get There and Why to Stay a Night
Ollantaytambo: What to See, How to Get There and Why to Stay a Night
Ollantaytambo is one of the most impressive places in the Sacred Valley and, for many travelers, the gateway to Machu Picchu: most trains to Aguas Calientes leave from here. But it is much more than a station. It is the only Inca town still inhabited on its original layout, with stone streets, water channels that still flow, and a huge terraced fortress above the town.
Quick facts
- Altitude: about 2,800 m (9,190 ft), lower than Cusco. A good place to acclimatize.
- Distance from Cusco: about 70 km, 1.5 to 2 hours by road.
- Fortress entry: included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Integral S/130 or Partial Circuit III S/70). Details in our Tourist Ticket guide.
- Time needed: 2 to 3 hours for the fortress; a full day if you also want to walk the town and climb Pinkuylluna.
What to see in Ollantaytambo
The fortress and terraces
From the plaza you can see the terraces climbing the hillside up to the Temple of the Sun area. The climb is on steep stairs, so take it slowly. At the top you understand why it is called a fortress: it controls the whole valley and the route to the jungle.
Ollantaytambo saw one of the few Inca victories against the Spanish: in 1537 Manco Inca held off Hernando Pizarro's attack here, flooding the plain to stop the cavalry.
The Wall of the Six Monoliths
At the top stand six giant blocks of pink rock, fitted together with thin stones between them. The blocks were brought from the Kachiqhata quarry across the river, several kilometers away. How they did it is still debated. It is one of the most photographed structures in the valley.
The Princess Bath and water channels
At the foot of the fortress there are ceremonial fountains carved into rock. Throughout the town you will see stone channels where water still runs: a working Inca hydraulic system.
Pinkuylluna: the storehouses across the valley
On the slope opposite the fortress are the Inca storehouses of Pinkuylluna, where grain was kept. The climb is free and takes about 30-45 minutes. From the top you get the best view of the fortress and the town. Bring water and shoes with good grip: the trail is steep and has no railings.
The Inca town
Walk the streets north of the plaza. The blocks (called canchas) keep their Inca walls, and many families live inside them. It is one of the few places where the Inca city is not a ruin but a living neighborhood.
How to get to Ollantaytambo from Cusco
- On a tour: the most comfortable option. Our Sacred Valley VIP, from US$32, covers Chinchero, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines and Ollantaytambo in one day, with buffet lunch and hotel pickup.
- By shared van (colectivo): they leave from the Pavitos area in Cusco when full. Cheap, but they don't wait or explain anything.
- By private taxi: comfortable and flexible but more expensive. Agree on the price before getting in.
- By train on the way back: if you are coming from Machu Picchu, the train drops you here and there is transport to Cusco from the station.
Ollantaytambo and the train to Machu Picchu
Most trains to Aguas Calientes leave from Ollantaytambo station, about a 10-minute walk from the plaza. That is why combining the Sacred Valley with Machu Picchu is so popular:
- Day 1: Sacred Valley tour, ending in Ollantaytambo.
- Night: sleep in Ollantaytambo (or take the train to Aguas Calientes that same afternoon).
- Day 2: early train and Machu Picchu visit.
This saves you from going back to Cusco and leaving again before dawn. To compare trains and schedules, see our guide to the train to Machu Picchu. If you'd rather have us organize it, our Machu Picchu 2D/1N from US$280 includes tourist train, hotel, bus, entrance ticket and guide.
Why stay a night
- In the morning and at sunset the town is almost empty: tour groups arrive at midday and leave around 4 pm.
- It is lower than Cusco, so you sleep better if you are still acclimatizing.
- You skip a pre-dawn start if you take the train to Machu Picchu the next day.
Tips
- Visit the fortress early (it opens at 7 am) or late in the afternoon to avoid the groups.
- Carry cash in soles: there are few ATMs and many places don't take cards.
- Protect yourself from the sun: at this altitude it burns even on cloudy days.
- Combine it with Maras and Moray, which are on the way. We cover them in Maras and Moray and what to do in the Sacred Valley.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter Ollantaytambo?
The fortress is included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket: the Integral costs S/130 and the Partial Circuit III (Sacred Valley only) costs S/70. No individual ticket is sold. Pinkuylluna is free.
How much time do I need in Ollantaytambo?
About 2-3 hours for the fortress. If you also want to climb Pinkuylluna and walk around town, plan half a day or stay overnight.
How do I get from Cusco to Ollantaytambo?
By tour, shared van, taxi or private transfer. The trip takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Our Sacred Valley VIP tour from US$32 includes Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray and Maras with buffet lunch.
Is it better to sleep in Ollantaytambo or Aguas Calientes before Machu Picchu?
If you want to enter Machu Picchu very early, Aguas Calientes is better because you are right by the bus. Ollantaytambo makes sense if you tour the Sacred Valley the day before and catch an early train.
