Nestled in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Ollantaytambo is a picturesque village, still inhabited since Inca times. A place filled with history, energy, and natural beauty. Ollantaytambo is an ancient Inca fortress whose name means “the inn of Ollantay“, in reference to a famous warrior. This emblematic site was the scene of violent clashes between the Incas and the Spanish conquistadors. It is here that Manco Inca took refuge after the fall of Cusco, hoping to rally the Inca resistance forces.
Located 75 km northwest of Cusco, at an altitude of 2,792 meters, Ollantaytambo overlooks the junction between the Urubamba Valley and a gorge, offering a strategic and breathtaking viewpoint. In 2021, the site was awarded the “Best Tourism Villages” label by the World Tourism Organization.
A village at the heart of history
Ollantaytambo is one of the rare places in Peru where Inca urban planning is still visible and functional: cobbled streets, irrigation canals, and perfectly carved and fitted stone walls assembled without mortar. It is one of the only Inca villages still inhabited. The locals live in houses built on Inca foundations, preserving a rare form of historical continuity. Here, past and present coexist in harmony: Andean traditions are part of everyday life, and scenes of modern life blend naturally into an ancestral setting.
The fortress
The archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, often referred to as a “fortress”, is in fact a ceremonial and strategic complex. Perched on the mountain, it offers a spectacular view of the valley and the terraced crops. The fortress consists of five levels of terraces overlooking the ravine, and six over the valley, not to mention a long and thick wall serving as its foundation.
Climb the stone steps to admire the Temple of the Sun, unfinished yet fascinating, and its enormous blocks transported from a quarry located miles away. One of the reasons why the Incas would source their construction materials far from the site is that they refused to use stone from the local subsoil, which they considered too brittle, unstable, and likely to crumble or turn to dust.
To truly understand the symbols, the construction techniques, and the secrets of the site, nothing beats a guided tour. At Escápate, we offer a one-day excursion to the Sacred Valley, which includes a guided tour of Ollantaytambo.
A unique energy
Ollantaytambo is also known for its spiritual atmosphere. Some travelers speak of a powerful energetic feeling, especially at sunrise or sunset. For those who appreciate mystical places, it is an unmissable stop.
The lack of understanding from Europeans regarding these technical feats, combined with the limited amount of experimental archaeology and a strong tendency toward speculation, has given rise to many myths, as is often the case in regions marked by megalithism, even suggesting the involvement of extraterrestrial architects
The starting point towards Machu Picchu
Many visitors only stop there to take the train to Aguas Calientes. Yet, Ollantaytambo truly deserves at least one night’s stay. In the morning, the alleys are peaceful, the landscapes bathed in golden light, and you can genuinely feel the magic of the place. It is also the starting point for hiking the Inca Trail.
