Ollantaytambo

Travel Guide
Cusco which includes a ruin, landscape views and a small town or village
Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo featuring a small town or village and street scenes
Ollantaytambo which includes a small town or village, landscape views and mountains
Ollantaytambo featuring 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.

Vertical Sky Luxury Suites
Vertical Sky Luxury Suites
3 out of 5
Antanuca, Onora Fundo Huaraccpunku, Ollantaytambo, Urubamba
The price is S$522 per night from 12 Feb to 13 Feb
S$522
includes taxes & fees
12 Feb - 13 Feb
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! (30 reviews)
"Amazing food, phenomenal staff, fantastic view, and a real fun experience to check in."

Reviewed on 10 Jan,2025

Vertical Sky Luxury Suites
El Albergue Ollantaytambo
El Albergue Ollantaytambo
3 out of 5
Estacion De Tren, Ollantaytambo, Cusco
The price is S$101 per night from 6 Feb to 7 Feb
S$101
includes taxes & fees
6 Feb - 7 Feb
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! (419 reviews)
"All of the food from the free breakfast to the dining options for lunch and dinner were delicious and beautifully presented. It was very fun to stay in a 100 year-old hotel and to walk around the gardens. Taste from the distillery and check out the coffee roasting."

Reviewed on 4 Jan,2025

El Albergue Ollantaytambo
Hotel Pakaritampu
Hotel Pakaritampu
3 out of 5
Av. Ferrocarril, 852, Ollantaytambo, Cusco
The price is S$237 per night from 3 Feb to 4 Feb
S$237
includes taxes & fees
3 Feb - 4 Feb
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Ollantaytambo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9/10 Wonderful! (93 reviews)
Beautiful mountain resort in the sacred valley
"This was a hidden gem of a resort with a perfect location. Unlike a traditional hotel, this hotel is spread out with beautiful grounds and scenic views in all directions. The architecture and decor is in keeping with the surrounding countryside with clean and well kept rooms. The breakfast was delicious ..."

Reviewed on 2 Jan,2025

Hotel Pakaritampu
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.
Glamping Eco Spirit
Glamping Eco Spirit
2 out of 5
Glamping eco spirit, carretera huilloc km. 05, Ollantaytambo, Cuzco
Stay at this campground in Ollantaytambo. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a free airport shuttle. Popular attractions Plaza de Armas and Ollantaytambo Archaeological ...
Glamping Eco Spirit
Memorable Sacred Experience
Memorable Sacred Experience
3.5 out of 5
Maras, Maras, Cusco
Stay at this 3.5-star cabin in Maras. Enjoy free parking, private pools, and private spa tubs. Popular attractions Estadio de Urubamba and Nogalpampa Stadium ...
Memorable Sacred Experience
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 WiFi, and onsite spa services. Popular attractions Aguas Calientes Hot Springs and Manco ...
5.4/10 (10 reviews)
"3 grands lits"

Reviewed on 8 Jan,2025

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.

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Reviews of Ollantaytambo

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1
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4 - Good
3
" "4 - Good 75%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
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1 - Terrible
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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.