Ollantaytambo, a small town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, is a perfect place to spend a day in your trip to Cusco, Peru. Here you can find everything you need to know about the best things to do and top attractions in Ollantaytambo, hot to get there and the best hotels.
Are you planning a visit to Ollantaytambo?
Check out the highest-rated hotels in the area:
Best hotels in Ollantaytambo:
1. El Albergue (High-end. My favorite, the restaurant there is amazing)
2. Humantay Lodge (Mid-range, next to the river)
3. Sol Natura (Mid-range. Views of the mountains and river)
4. Del Pilar Ollantaytambo (Mid-range. 20 minutes away from town, in the middle of nature)
5. B&B Chayana Wasi (Budget)
Ollantaytambo is small town, but it has a rich history. Unfortunately, many visitors to the region only pass through Ollantaytambo on their way to catch the train to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu.
But those who take the time to stay and explore the town will find that it has much to offer. Here’s how to spend one day in Ollantaytambo, from morning to evening, and the best things to do there.
1. Explore the ancient ruins
Start your day by exploring the ancient ruins of Ollantaytambo, one of the biggest archeological sites in Peru, in the middle of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
The town was once an important center of the Inca Empire, and the ruins offer a glimpse into the sophisticated culture of the Incas.
Ideally, hire a good guide to be able to appreciate the site at its fullest.
Like this, for example you might learn that if you would see the site from above, you would be looking at the shape of a llama and its baby, representing what they knew as the “constellation of the llama”.
You will also be able to see in the distance the sculpted face of Tunupa, a deity linked with the volcanos and earthquakes.
The most famous section at the site is the Sun Temple, which you access after climbing a steep series of stairs. Its walls were built using massive blocks of stone that fit together perfectly without the use of mortar. From there, you’ll be able to see the entire town and the surrounding mountains.
Next to the archeological site, you can visit the artisanal market. If you want to learn more about the ruins, see if they are selling the book “Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas”. This is a small book that tells you lots of very interesting details about the main ruins in Cusco (with a long section about Ollantaytambo), that you might not have heard from your guide! It’s my favorite book about Cusco.
2. Have lunch at El Albergue
After exploring the ruins, take a break and go for lunch at one of the many restaurants in town. One popular option is El Albergue, a hotel and restaurant located in a converted colonial-style mansion just next to the train station. In my opinion, this is one of the best restaurants in the Cusco region.
The restaurant offers a mix of traditional Peruvian and international cuisine. It has also a charming outdoor patio for enjoying a meal on a sunny day. They also have their own garden, from where they pick up fresh vegetables for their meals.
They even make their own fresh pasta. If you are vegetarian, you will like this place because they have plenty of options, including Peruvian vegetarian dishes, which normally you can’t easily find.
3- Visit ALQA – Gallery of Popular Andean Expressions
In the afternoon, take a walk through the charming streets of Ollantaytambo.
Near the main square, you will find Alqa, a space that features exhibitions of crafts made by artisans of Cusco and nearby regions (many of the pieces are for sale).
If you ask about any piece, you will learn for example, the specific meanings of the patterns and colors of a textile piece for the community in which they are made, or the traditions related to a certain ornament.
The store is owned by a Peruvian-Italian couple who works closely with artisans of remote villages in the region to ensure that they are paid fair prices for their work. The crafts you will be able to find here are very different from those that you can find at the average tourist markets and shops in Cusco, most of them mass-made.
The owners themselves are constantly traveling to remote the villages to buy the pieces directly from the artisans. For this reason, for example, the textiles you can find here will not have synthetic fabrics nor dyes. The time to produce a single piece might have taken from 2 or 3 months.
My favourite items of the shop were some replicas of antique water vessels called “whistling bottles”. These are made of ceramic in the shape of animals. Whenever you pour the water, air will go through the strategically located holes in the ceramic and it will make the sound of the animal depicted in the vessel, like for example that of a certain bird. Their use was linked to shamanic practices and had a link to funerary rites.
They also have a small space where you can have a tea and maybe grab a bite.
4. Go for an artisanal beer
Now it’s time to head to the nearby Cervecería del Valle Sagrado, a local microbrewery, for a tour and tasting.
The Cervecería del Valle has several locations. There’s a small one Ollantaytambo itself and a bigger one in Pachar (at the highway, between Ollantaytambo and Urubamba).
I would recommend going to the one in Pachar if you have the time. It’s bigger, and has an outdoor sitting area next to the river, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy the beautiful setting.
Also, in Pachar you will find a larger food menu than in Ollantaytambo, so you can stay there for dinner. There they have enough vegetarian options too. It will take you just a bit over 10 minutes by taxi or micro to get there.
The brewery uses locally grown ingredients to create their beers, giving them a unique flavor that reflects the region’s culture. You might find beers made of quinoa, passion fruit or some local seeds. I would recommend you to maybe order a tasting set to be able to try them all. You could also ask for a small tour of the brewery.
As the day comes to a close, head back to Ollantaytambo and watch the sunset over the mountains of the Sacred Valley from one of the outdoor cafes or bars in town. It’s the perfect way to end a day in this charming town.
How to get to Ollantaytambo from Cusco
To get to Ollantaytambo from Cusco, you can take a taxi, a shared taxi, a colectivo (minivan), or book a private transfer.
Head to calle Pavitos, just a short walk from the main plaza in Cusco, to get to the street from where they depart for Ollantaytambo.
The shared taxi ride will cost around 20 soles per person (around USD$ 6). The ride takes about an hour and a half. The taxi will depart when it’s full, with 4 people.
Another option are the colectivos (minivans), which will cost around 8-10 soles per person (around USD$2.50). The downside is that they will take a longer time to get full. They will make more stops, since more people will be getting out and in along the way.
Otherwise, the easiest option is to book a private transfer to Ollantaytambo, which will pick you up from your hotel.
Where to stay in Ollantaytambo
Depending on yout budget I would recommend the following the hotels:
- El Albergue: this is highly rated hotel is probably the best place to stay in the town. You will be able to enjoy its great restaurant, mentioned above. It has a nice garden where they grow their vegetables and a small farm.
- Humantay Lodge: Beautiful hotel, serene atmosphere and views to the river
- Sol Natura: big hotel with views of the mountains and rivers. Breakfast buffet included.
- Del Pilar Ollantaytambo: Highly rated hotel ideal for a more relaxed atmosphere, but 20 minutes away from the town by car
- B&B Chayana Wasi: For a more affordable option, this hotel has perfectly fine simple rooms. It’s one block away from the main square.
Is Ollantaytambo worth it?
Absolutely! Spending a day in Ollantaytambo is a good idea if you want to explore the Sacred Valley and get to know Peru beyond its most touristic areas. Besides, you will have to pass by anyhow to catch the train to Aguas Calientes if you want to visit Machu Picchu.
If you don’t have an extra day, you could arrive early to Ollantaytambo and try to catch a late train to Aguas Calientes so that you will have enough time to explore the town. Aguas Calientes is bigger but less interesting than Ollantaytambo in my opinion.
If are planning a visit to Cusco, Peru, and what to know what else to visit in the city Sacred Valley area, beyond Ollantaytambo, take a look this list of the best places to visit in Cusco in five days.
