Ollantaytambo Guide: Living Inca Town in the Sacred Valley

A complete guide to Ollantaytambo - the remarkably preserved Inca town where people still live in 600-year-old buildings, and the gateway for trains to Machu Picchu.

Quick Answer

Ollantaytambo is a living Inca town at 2,792m in the Sacred Valley. The fortress ruins are impressive, the cobblestone streets still follow the original Inca layout, and it's the main train departure point for Machu Picchu. Stay 1-2 days. Get here by colectivo from Cusco (1.5h, S/10-15). A cheaper, more charming alternative to staying in Aguas Calientes.

Overview

Ollantaytambo (locals call it "Ollanta") is one of the few places in Peru where you can walk through a town that has been continuously inhabited since Inca times. The street grid, the water channels running through the streets, and the foundations of the buildings are all original Inca construction - roughly 600 years old.

Above the town rises the massive fortress-temple complex, with its steep terraces and enormous stone blocks. This was both a military stronghold and a religious site. It's where the Inca general Manco Inca defeated the Spanish in 1537 - one of the few Inca military victories against the conquistadors.

Today, Ollantaytambo is a pleasant small town with good restaurants around the plaza, a handful of hostels and hotels, and a relaxed atmosphere. Most travelers pass through on their way to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu, but it deserves at least a half-day of exploration on its own.

2,792m

Altitude (9,160 ft)

1-2 days

Recommended stay

$30-$50

Daily budget

Year-round

Visitable

Things to Do in Ollantaytambo

The fortress ruins are the main attraction, but the town itself and surrounding area offer several worthwhile activities.

Ollantaytambo Fortress & Temple

The main archaeological site. Climb steep terraces to reach the Temple of the Sun at the top - six massive rose-colored monoliths weighing 50+ tons each, transported from a quarry 6km away across the valley and river. The engineering is staggering. Allow 1.5-2 hours.

Requires Boleto Turistico (S/70-$130) | Open 7am-5:30pm | 1.5-2 hours

Inca Town Streets

Wander the original Inca street grid below the fortress. Water channels still run through the cobblestone streets. Look for trapezoidal doorways and original Inca stonework in the building foundations. The blocks south of the plaza are the best preserved.

Free | 30-60 minutes | Best in morning light

Pinkuylluna Granaries

Inca storehouses carved into the cliff face across from the fortress. You can hike up to them for free (steep trail from town). Great views of the fortress from above. Look for the face carved into the mountainside (Tunupa).

Free | 30-45 min hike up | Steep but short

Moray (Day Trip)

Circular Inca agricultural terraces 30 minutes away. The concentric rings created different microclimates - likely an Inca agricultural laboratory. Combine with the Maras salt mines for a half-day trip. Taxi or tour from Ollantaytambo.

30 min by taxi | Boleto Turistico required | Half day with Maras

Maras Salt Mines (Salineras)

Thousands of salt evaporation ponds cascading down a hillside, fed by a natural salt spring. Used since Inca times and still producing salt today. Stunning visual - especially in afternoon light. Entry S/10 ($3).

20 min by taxi | Entry: S/10 ($3) | 1 hour visit

Inca Quarry Trail

A half-day hike to the quarry site across the valley where the massive stones for the Temple of the Sun were cut. You can see abandoned stones along the route that never made it to the fortress. Moderate difficulty, great views.

Free | 3-4 hours round trip | Moderate difficulty

Getting to Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo is 72km from Cusco in the Sacred Valley. The most common and cheapest way is by colectivo (shared minivan).

Route	Transport	Duration	Cost	Notes
Cusco → Ollantaytambo	Colectivo	1.5 hours	S/10-15 ($3-$4)	From Pavitos street. Leave when full (every 10-20 min).
Cusco → Ollantaytambo	Private taxi	1.5 hours	S/80-100 ($21-$27)	Door-to-door. Good for groups or early morning departures.
Cusco → Ollantaytambo	Sacred Valley tour bus	Full day	$20-$40	Includes Pisac, Moray, Maras, and Ollantaytambo. Drop-off possible.
Urubamba → Ollantaytambo	Colectivo	30 minutes	S/3-5 ($1)	Frequent departures from Urubamba market.
Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo	Train	1.5 hours	$50-$90	PeruRail or Inca Rail. Multiple daily departures.

Colectivo Tips

Colectivos to Ollantaytambo leave from Calle Pavitos in Cusco (near the Santiago market). They're minivans that seat 10-12 people and leave when full. No fixed schedule - just show up and wait (usually 10-20 minutes). Tell the driver "Ollantaytambo" so they know your stop. Pay when you arrive.

Where to Stay in Ollantaytambo

Stay near the main plaza for restaurants and easy access to the ruins and train station. The town is small - everything is within a 10-minute walk.

Budget (S/50-$100 / $13-$27 per night)

Basic hostels and guesthouses. Private rooms with shared or private bathrooms. Hot water, WiFi. Simple but clean. Great value compared to Aguas Calientes.

KB Backpackers: Social hostel, dorms and privates. $8-$20/night.
Hostal Iskay: Clean rooms, hot water, near plaza. $15-$25/night.
Mama Simona Hostel: Cozy, garden, mountain views. $12-$22/night.

Mid-Range (S/120-$300 / $32-$80 per night)

Comfortable hotels with private bathrooms, breakfast, and often mountain or ruin views. Good value for the Sacred Valley.

El Albergue: At the train station, beautiful gardens, organic restaurant. $60-$90/night.
Sauce Hostal: Boutique feel, courtyard, excellent breakfast. $40-$65/night.
Hotel Pakaritampu: Comfortable, heated rooms, garden. $50-$80/night.

Upscale (S/350+ / $95+ per night)

Boutique hotels and lodges with full amenities. Some are converted colonial haciendas with mountain views and gardens.

Hotel & Spa Sol y Luna: Luxury lodge with casitas, spa, horse riding. $180-$350/night.
Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado: Riverside luxury, spa, fine dining. $250-$400/night.
Skylodge Adventure Suites: Glass pods hanging from cliff face. Unique. $400+/night.

Where to Eat

Ollantaytambo has surprisingly good restaurants for a small town, mostly clustered around the main plaza. Prices are reasonable - much cheaper than Aguas Calientes.

Budget Eating

The market near the plaza has cheap set lunches (menú del día) for S/8-$12 ($2-$3). Small local restaurants on side streets serve similar meals. Look for places with "menú" signs outside.

Recommended Restaurants

Hearts Cafe: On the plaza. Good breakfasts, coffee, and Peruvian dishes. Profits support local community projects. S/20-$40 ($5-$11).
El Albergue Restaurant: At the train station. Farm-to-table Peruvian cuisine, organic ingredients from their garden. S/35-$60 ($9-$16).
Puka Rumi: Pizza and Peruvian food. Good portions, friendly service. S/20-$35 ($5-$9).
Tutti Amore: Italian-Peruvian. Good pasta and wood-fired pizza. S/25-$45 ($7-$12).
Chuncho: Craft beer and pub food. Nice atmosphere for evening drinks. S/15-$30 ($4-$8).

Costs & Budget

Ollantaytambo is affordable by Sacred Valley standards. Cheaper than Cusco for accommodation, and much cheaper than Aguas Calientes.

Item	Budget	Mid-Range	Comfortable
Accommodation	S/50-$100 ($13-$27)	S/120-$300 ($32-$80)	S/350+ ($95+)
Food (3 meals)	S/25-$40 ($7-$11)	S/50-$80 ($13-$21)	S/100+ ($27+)
Ruins entry (Boleto Turistico)	S/70 ($19) partial	S/130 ($35) full	S/130 ($35) full
Colectivo from Cusco	S/10-15 ($3-$4)	S/10-15 ($3-$4)	S/80-100 taxi ($21-$27)
Moray + Maras tour	S/40-$60 ($11-$16)	S/60-$100 ($16-$27)	S/150+ private ($40+)
Daily Total	$30-$55	$65-$130	$180+

Money Tips

ATMs: There's a BCP ATM near the plaza. It sometimes runs out of cash on busy weekends. Bring backup cash from Cusco.
Boleto Turistico: Buy the partial ticket (S/70) if you're only visiting Sacred Valley sites. The full ticket (S/130) includes Cusco sites too.
Colectivos: Always pay in soles, exact change appreciated. Don't pay more than S/15 to Ollantaytambo from Cusco.
Train savings: Book trains well in advance for the best prices. Inca Rail is sometimes cheaper than PeruRail for the same route.

When to Visit

Dry Season (May-September) - Best

Clear skies, sunny days, cold nights. Best for exploring ruins and hiking. Peak tourist season June-August means more crowds at the fortress.

Daytime: 18-22°C (64-72°F)
Nighttime: 2-8°C (36-46°F)
Rain: Minimal

Wet Season (November-March) - Quieter

Afternoon rain showers, greener landscape, fewer tourists. Mornings are usually clear - visit ruins early. Lower prices on accommodation.

Daytime: 18-21°C (64-70°F)
Nighttime: 7-11°C (45-52°F)
Rain: Afternoon showers

Practical Tips

Visiting the Ruins

Go early morning (7-8am) to avoid tour groups
The climb is steep - take it slow at altitude
Bring water and sunscreen
Allow 1.5-2 hours minimum
The free Pinkuylluna hike opposite gives great fortress views
Hire a guide at the entrance (S/50-$80) for context

Train Station Tips

The station is a 10-minute walk from the plaza
Arrive 30 minutes before departure
Bring your passport - required for boarding
There's a cafe and waiting area at the station
Left luggage available at some hotels (ask)
Early morning trains (5-6am) are cheapest

Common Mistakes

Skipping Ollantaytambo: Many people just pass through for the train. The ruins and town deserve at least a half-day.
Not buying Boleto Turistico in advance: You can buy at the entrance, but lines form. Buy in Cusco to save time.
Visiting ruins midday: Tour buses arrive 10am-2pm. Go early or late for fewer crowds.
Missing Pinkuylluna: The free hike to the granaries across the valley is worth the effort for the views.
Not bringing warm layers: Evenings get cold. The town is in a valley that loses sun early.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do you need in Ollantaytambo?

1-2 days. One day is enough to explore the fortress ruins and wander the Inca streets. Two days lets you use it as a base for the Sacred Valley - visit Moray, the salt mines, or just relax. Many travelers stay here the night before their train to Machu Picchu.

Is Ollantaytambo worth visiting?

Yes. It's one of the best-preserved Inca towns in Peru - people still live in buildings with original Inca foundations and the street layout hasn't changed in 600 years. The fortress ruins are impressive (and less crowded than Sacsayhuaman). Plus it's the departure point for trains to Machu Picchu, so most travelers pass through anyway.

How do you get to Ollantaytambo from Cusco?

Colectivo (shared van) from Cusco's Pavitos street: 1.5 hours, S/10-15 ($3-$4). They leave when full (every 10-20 minutes). Taxi: 1.5 hours, S/80-100 ($21-$27). Tourist bus: some Sacred Valley tours include Ollantaytambo. The road follows the Urubamba River through the Sacred Valley.

Is Ollantaytambo a good base for Machu Picchu?

Yes, and it's cheaper than staying in Aguas Calientes. Stay in Ollantaytambo the night before, take an early morning train (5-6am departures available), visit Machu Picchu, and return by afternoon/evening train. Hotels here cost $20-$80 vs $50-$300 in Aguas Calientes. The trade-off is an earlier wake-up.

What are the Ollantaytambo ruins?

A massive Inca fortress and temple complex built on a steep hillside. The main attraction is the Temple of the Sun at the top - six enormous monoliths transported from a quarry across the valley. The terraces below were both agricultural and defensive. The site was never fully completed - the Incas were still building when the Spanish arrived.

Do you need the Boleto Turistico for Ollantaytambo?

Yes. The Ollantaytambo ruins require the Boleto Turistico (tourist ticket). The full ticket costs S/130 ($35) and covers 16 sites across Cusco and the Sacred Valley for 10 days. A partial ticket covering just the Sacred Valley sites costs S/70 ($19). Buy it at the entrance or in Cusco.

Is Ollantaytambo safe?

Very safe. It's a small, quiet town with a strong tourist presence. The streets are well-lit around the plaza and main areas. Normal precautions apply - don't leave valuables unattended. The walk to the train station at night is safe (it's a short, well-traveled path).

What's the altitude of Ollantaytambo?

2,792m (9,160 ft) - lower than Cusco (3,400m). Most people feel fine here, especially if they've already acclimatized in Cusco. The slightly lower altitude makes it a comfortable base. You might notice the climb up the fortress ruins (steep steps at altitude), so take it slow.

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