Attractions Around Ollantaytambo

An Overview of Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo is a major Incan settlement found on the banks of the Urubamba river. The town is often visited by travelers heading towards Machu Picchu, since Ollantaytambo has the major direct train line to the region and the trailheads for most of the trekking routes. Ollantaytambo is a stone town with a large market space, rushing urban canals and numerous artworks and eateries. The city is built on an Inca-era grid of cobblestone streets. The region is home to many prominent, ancient and interesting attractions around Ollantaytambo.

Advice When Heading to Ollantaytambo

Collectivos leaving Cusco to Ollantaytambo are very cheap.  Locals will try to convince you to hire a private driver for a considerable sum of money, but the collectivos which locals use for transportation are far more affordable.

Ollantaytambo is a good option for overnighting before hiking or taking a train to Machu Micchu. The town has numerous lodging options.

The Ollantaytambo train station is generally quite busy with large crowds of people jamming the street heading towards the trains.

While the town itself is easy to walk through, the outer attractions around the city generally require longer hikes or local transportation.

Attractions Around Ollantaytambo

 Ollantaytambo Mercado Turistico

Hidden in the shadow of nearby mountains, this is a large shopping market filled with stalls selling handmade goods and Peruvian souvenirs.

Sitio Arqueológico Pinkuylluna

Situated on the side of a mountain, these are a series of terraced buildings with incredible views overlooking Ollantaytambo. This fortress was part of the Inca defense network in the region, and it stands as upon one of the battlefields where Spaniards clashed with the Incas. A windproof jacket and sturdy footwear is recommended for exploring this site.

Ollantaytambo Sanctuary

Found on the West side of town, Sitio Arqueológico De Ollantaytambo was once used by the Inca as a city, fort and royal estate with large, intact terraces and a ceremonial area. The sanctuary is a beautiful site with an excellent view of the valley and town below. The sanctuary is easy to access by foot from the town.

Templo del Sol

Found within the zone around Sitio Arqueológico De Ollantaytambo, this is a pink-granite Incan temple designed to align solstice sunlight with the structure.

Centro Arqueologico Quellorakay

The Qelloraqay Archeological Site is a quite series of ruins reached by following a footpath past narrow creeks to low, intact walls. It’s an excellent place to see Inca ruins without being crowded by other tourists.

Plaza de Armas de Ollantaytambo

The central plaza of Ollantaytambo is a quiet central square surrounded by a few tourist shops and restaurants. The plaza is quite close to Terminal Terrestre Ollantaytambo, where visitors can find shuttles and buses heading back to Cusco.

Inka Quarries of Cachiqata

Found to the southwest of Ollantaytambo along the Chicaqata Hiking Trail, this is one of the ancient quarries used by both pre-Inca and Inca societies to build the vast infrastructure of Olantaytambo. The quarries contained a large amount of pink granite, which was used for many structures in the region.

Inti Punku Sun Gate

The Inti Punku Sun Gate is one of the region’s most iconic attractions, found at the end of the Chicaqata Hiking Trail. The Sun Gate is an open arch atop an overlook, meant to appear as a gateway to Heaven.

Pumamarca Ruins

Found to the north of the city by following the Camino a Pumamarca Trail, this is an incredible series of ruins with sweeping views of the mountains. The area is frequented by grazing herds of alpacas. Many of the largely-intact ruins don’t see crowds, making this an excellent area for an extended, peaceful morning hike.

Perolniyoc Waterfall

This is a narrow, beautiful waterfall reachable from the small village of Pachar in the Sacred Valley to the East of Ollantaytambo.

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