Ollantaytambo: guide to the living Inca town
Ollantaytambo is unique in Peru: a town still lived in along its original Inca street plan, crowned by a temple-fortress of colossal stones. It is also where most trains to Machu Picchu depart. Here is what to see and why it deserves more than a quick stop.
Ollantaytambo at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Western end of the Sacred Valley, about 2 hours from Cusco by road |
| Altitude | About 2,800 m, lower than Cusco |
| Entrance to the fortress | Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico) |
| Train station | Main departure point for trains to Machu Picchu |
| Time needed | 2 hours for the fortress; half a day with the town and Pinkuylluna |
The temple-fortress
Above the town, steep terraces climb to the ceremonial sector known as the Temple of the Sun. Its highlight is the Wall of the Six Monoliths: enormous pinkish stone blocks quarried on the mountainside across the river and dragged up to the site, an engineering feat that still raises questions.
Ollantaytambo also has a place in history: in 1537 the Inca Manco Inca defeated a Spanish force here, one of the few Inca victories of the conquest, before retreating to Vilcabamba.
Discover Ollantaytambo with a local guide
The fortress, Pisac, Moray, Maras and Chinchero in one day, lunch included.
The living Inca town
What makes Ollantaytambo special is that its old quarter still follows the Inca grid. Walk the narrow lanes and you will see Inca walls supporting today’s homes, original doorways, and stone water channels still running along the streets. It is the best surviving example of Inca town planning — a place you walk through, not just look at.
More to see
- Pinkuylluna: Inca storehouses on the hillside opposite the fortress, reached by a short, steep path, with great views of the town.
- The face in the mountain: a rock formation on the mountainside that local tradition identifies as the face of Wiracocha.
- The main square: cafés, small restaurants and craft stalls.
The gateway to Machu Picchu
Most trains to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu, leave from Ollantaytambo, and the classic Inca Trail starts nearby. Because it is lower than Cusco and closer to the citadel, many travellers sleep here the night before Machu Picchu: it helps with the altitude and makes for a calmer morning. See how to get to Machu Picchu and routes from the Sacred Valley.
How to visit
- On a tour: our Sacred Valley tour (US $35) includes Ollantaytambo with Pisac, Chinchero, Moray and Maras.
- On your way to Machu Picchu: our Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu 2-day tour visits the fortress before the train.
- Go early or late in the afternoon to avoid the busiest hours, and take it slowly on the steep steps.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. It combines an impressive Inca temple-fortress with a town still laid out on its Inca plan, and it is the natural stop before Machu Picchu.
The fortress is included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico). Walking through the town is free.
About two hours for the fortress, or half a day to add the old town and Pinkuylluna. Many travellers also spend the night.
It is a great option: it is lower than Cusco, close to the train station and makes the morning of your Machu Picchu visit much calmer.
By tour, taxi or shared van, in about two hours by road through the Sacred Valley.
