Ollantaytambo

The only Inca town still inhabited, with a terraced fortress and a Temple of the Sun built from six giant stones. It is also the starting point for the train to Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail.

Ollantaytambo sits at the western end of the Sacred Valley, 70 kilometers west of Cusco (a 1.5–2 hour drive), at an altitude of 2,800 meters. Pachacuti built a royal estate and fortress here. In 1537, the Inca leader Manco defeated Spanish cavalry in this place. The town is itself a living Inca city: its streets, canals and stone-wall foundations date from the 15th century, and residents still live in Inca-era courtyards. The main site is 17 huge terraces on the hillside. A climb of about 200 steps leads to the Temple of the Sun, where six 4-meter pink granite blocks fit tightly together. The stone was quarried 6 kilometers away across the river, and how it was transported remains a mystery. On the cliff opposite is the Pinkuylluna granary, which is free and takes about 1 hour round trip. It offers the best panoramic view of the site, and a face of the Inca deity Wiracocha can be seen on the mountain. Admission is included in the Cusco tourist pass (Boleto Turístico). The site is open 07:00–18:00, and a visit takes about 1.5–2 hours. Ollantaytambo is the transport hub for Machu Picchu. Most PeruRail and Inca Rail trains depart from here (1.5 hours to Aguas Calientes), which is cheaper and more frequent than departing from Poroy. The 4-day Inca Trail starts at Kilometer 82 nearby. Many travelers spend a night here (at hotels such as Pakaritampu and El Albergue; El Albergue is inside the train station and has a farm-to-table restaurant) to acclimatize to the altitude and catch an early train. The Chocolate Museum and the Sunday market are worth a stop. Vendors crowd the area around the train station, so keep an eye on your luggage.

Ollantaytambo

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