Ollantaytambo Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Cusco featuring a small town or village, landscape views and a ruin
Home to the ruins of a striking temple, this quaint village has changed little since it was inhabited by the Inca centuries ago.

A well-worn stop for visitors traveling to Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo exudes an old-world charm despite the crowds it attracts. The Old Town is among the longest continuously inhabited neighborhoods on the continent, with a well-preserved layout designed by the Incas. The town’s most famous attraction is an ancient fortress, one of the Inca’s most stunning architectural achievements.

Explore Ollantaytambo’s Old Town, a delightful grid of streets organized into canchas (blocks). Each cancha usually had one entrance leading into a main courtyard bordered by a group of houses. Investigate Calle del Medio, an excellent example of one of these small communities. Follow blue plaques around town designating theOllantaytambo Heritage Trail, which guides visitors to the most interesting sites.

This city is a perfect base for hikes around the surrounding valley and mountains. Climb the stairs near Calle Lares K'ikllu and walk along the trail leading to Pinkuylluna. This 1.5-hour hike will take you to an old set of Incan granaries, a scenic spot with views over the Old Town and fortress.

Don’t miss the iconic Fortress of Ollantaytambo, an impressive example of Incan stonework consisting of terraces carved into the hillside. The ruins are believed to have served as a temple for worship and astronomical observation, before being used as a fortress to defend the city against an attack by the Spanish. At the bottom of the terraces, find Baños de la Ñusta, an area once used for ceremonial bathing.

Visit Ollantaytambo during its colorful festivals, when the city comes alive with dance, music and ceremonial processions. Numerous festivals are held throughout the year Fiesta de Reyes in January is one of the best. During this festival, an effigy is carried into town from the sacred site of Marcaquocha.

Ollantaytambo is located at the northwestern entrance of the Sacred Valley. The fortress ruins are popular with large tour groups during the day, so it’s best to visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

El Albergue Ollantaytambo
El Albergue Ollantaytambo
3 out of 5
Estacion De Tren, Ollantaytambo, Cusco
The price is NZ$269 per night from 4 Dec to 5 Dec
NZ$269
includes taxes & fees
4 Dec - 5 Dec
Stay at this 3-star guesthouse in Ollantaytambo. Enjoy free breakfast, room service, and a sauna. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (411 reviews)
"Lovely hotel great decor with beautiful surroundings and an amazing restaurant, we loved it so much that we ate there most days. You do hear the trains but that didn't impact our sleep."

Reviewed on 24 Oct. 2024

El Albergue Ollantaytambo
Parwa Guest House
Parwa Guest House
3 out of 5
Calle Patacalle S/N, Ollantaytambo, Cusco
The price is NZ$100 per night from 27 Nov to 28 Nov
NZ$100
includes taxes & fees
27 Nov - 28 Nov
Stay at this 3-star B&B in Ollantaytambo. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and private spa tubs. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (317 reviews)
"Fantastic service, beautiful building in the middle of town. I would recommend this to anyone and will be looking to stay here again if I ever make my way back to the Sacred Valley"

Reviewed on 1 Nov. 2024

Parwa Guest House
Vertical Sky Luxury Suites
Vertical Sky Luxury Suites
3 out of 5
Antanuca, Onora Fundo Huaraccpunku, Ollantaytambo, Urubamba
The price is NZ$631 per night from 25 Nov to 26 Nov
NZ$631
includes taxes & fees
25 Nov - 26 Nov
Stay at this 3-star lodge in Ollantaytambo. Enjoy free breakfast, private spa tubs, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (26 reviews)
"my stay at the vertical Sky was amazing! the staff, where very nice, the food was delicious, the view on the room was breath taking, waking up at the sacred valley view was such a great experience, so happy that I found this place, if i ever go back to peru this would be the highlight of my trip ..."

Reviewed on 15 Oct. 2024

Vertical Sky Luxury Suites
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Hotel with two terraces overlooking the mountains and the temple of the Inca sun
Hotel with two terraces overlooking the mountains and the temple of the Inca sun
OLLANTAYTAMBO
Stay at this aparthotel in Ollantaytambo. Enjoy free breakfast, a garden, and concierge services. Popular attractions Plaza de Armas and Ollantaytambo Archaeological ...
8/10 Very Good! (1 review)
I loved the view! And the service was great.
"It was great"

Reviewed on 27 Aug. 2018

Hotel with two terraces overlooking the mountains and the temple of the Inca sun
Pyramid under the stars + barbecue + breakfast
Pyramid under the stars + barbecue + breakfast
Ollantaytambo
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Ollantaytambo. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Beautiful stay!!
"We really enjoyed our time at the pyramid. The view was amazing. It’s a bit of a walk down so keep that in mind for anyone with physical limitations. The dinner they cooked as amazing and they even taught us how to make mojitos while dinner was being cooked. Close enough to the train station to walk. ..."

Reviewed on 24 Jul. 2024

Pyramid under the stars + barbecue + breakfast
HOTEL WITH MOUNTAIN VIEW
HOTEL WITH MOUNTAIN VIEW
Ollantaytambo
Stay at this vacation home in Ollantaytambo. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a garden. Popular attractions Plaza de Armas and Pinkuylluna Mountain Granaries ...
4/10 (3 reviews)
Great place, but got billed twice
"This is a hotel, not a home. You have to haul your luggage up about four flights of stone steps, but the view from the roof is incredible of the town and all the surrounding Inca ruins. The hotel was not informed of our arrival and although VRBO said we had paid, we had to pay again on our ..."

Reviewed on 9 Jun. 2024

HOTEL WITH MOUNTAIN VIEW
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Ollantaytambo

4.9
Top destination
5 - Excellent
6
" "5 - Excellent 85.71428571428571%
4 - Good
1
" "4 - Good 14.285714285714286%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Amazing place

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Stunning town. Reminded us of little Italian villages with cobble stone narrow streets and lots of activity.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Do not go from Cusco to Machu Picchu and back without spending at least one night in Ollantaytambo.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Love Cusco

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