Ollantaytambo Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Cusco which includes a ruin, a small town or village and mountains
Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo showing street scenes and a small town or village
Ollantaytambo showing landscape views, mountains and a small town or village
Ollantaytambo showing 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 travelling to Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo exudes an old-world charm despite the crowds it attracts. The Old Town is among the longest continuously inhabited neighbourhoods 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 organised 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 the Ollantaytambo 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 colourful 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 ₹14,045 per night from 29 Nov to 30 Nov
₹14,045
₹15,449 total
includes taxes & fees
29 Nov - 30 Nov
Stay at this 3-star guesthouse in Ollantaytambo. Enjoy free breakfast, room service and a sauna. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their 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
Hotel Pakaritampu
Hotel Pakaritampu
3 out of 5
Av. Ferrocarril, 852, Ollantaytambo, Cusco
The price is ₹11,401 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
₹11,401
₹12,542 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Ollantaytambo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (85 reviews)
"Pleasantly surprised! Nice rooms, large bed, quiet area and very close to the train station."

Reviewed on 18 Nov 2024

Hotel Pakaritampu
Vertical Sky Luxury Suites
Vertical Sky Luxury Suites
3 out of 5
Antanuca, Onora Fundo Huaraccpunku, Ollantaytambo, Urubamba
The price is ₹29,176 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
₹29,176
₹32,631 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this 3-star lodge in Ollantaytambo. Enjoy free breakfast, private hot tubs and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their 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 Highgarden Ollantaytambo
Hotel Highgarden Ollantaytambo
2.5 out of 5
Pueblo de Rumira 2.5km de Ollantaytambo, Trayecto Hacia Camino Inca, Ollantaytambo, Cusco
Stay at this aparthotel in Ollantaytambo. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site and Plaza ...
Hotel Highgarden Ollantaytambo
Glamping Eco Spirit
Glamping Eco Spirit
2 out of 5
Glamping eco spirit, carretera huilloc km. 05, Ollantaytambo, Cuzco
Stay at this campsite in Ollantaytambo. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a free airport shuttle. Popular attractions Plaza de Armas and Ollantaytambo Archaeological ...
Glamping Eco Spirit
Suites Machupicchu
Suites Machupicchu
2.5 out of 5
Calle Wiracocha, 205, Machu Picchu, Machupicchu
Stay at this aparthotel in Machu Picchu. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and on-site spa services. Popular attractions Aguas Calientes Hot Springs and Manco ...
4.8/10 (7 reviews)
"Joan picked us up from the training station and showed us to our room. The room was huge, 3 king beds the shower and jacuzzi facility was good, cant beat the price for the size. Not all of the functions of the shower worked like the side shower but the main one worked. The jacuzzi also worked well. ..."

Reviewed on 30 May 2024

Suites Machupicchu
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

Reviews of Ollantaytambo

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1
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4 - Good
3
" "4 - Good 75%
3 - Okay
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2 - Disappointing
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5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Easy to get there by local combi minibus from Cusco (S/.10). Easy to get to Machu Picchu by train for the day. Much better to stay there than in Aguas Calientes. Ollanta is quaint and great sites to visit. The Incan mountain fortress is amazing.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Ollantaytambo is a great place to start your journey to Machu Picchu. It is lower than Cusco and closer to the height of Machu Picchu. There are also a couple of hikes around some ruins you can do to prepare for Machu Picchu.

Cities near Ollantaytambo