You are going to visit Machu Picchu on your Peru Tours, there is a large chance that you will pass through the small Inca town of Ollantaytambo. The name Ollantaytambo originates from the Aymara language “Ullanwtawi” which means “Viewpoint” The Aymara people were inhabitants of the Ollantaytambo region, even before the Incas arrived! This small Inca stronghold was once a fortress at a strategic point where the Patacancha River meets the Urubamba River and was the royal estate for Emperor Pachacutec, one of the most influential Incas.
In the 16th century, when the Spanish invaded Peru, The Incas fled to Ollantaytambo, however, the Spanish were too strong for them and took the town. Today the stunning cobblestoned town survives and is the focal point for travelers heading to the iconic citadel of Machu Picchu, however, this beautiful Inca town is so much more than a mere travel hub. Here are the top 7 reasons to visit Ollantaytambo.
Visit The Magnificent Archaeological Site of Ollantaytambo
The town of Ollantaytambo is famous for its impressive archaeological site that sits at the far end of the town. As you walk through the ancient stones of Ollantaytambo, you will feel like you have stepped back in time to when the Incas once ruled the roost. The site is renowned for its spectacular terraces and giant stone buildings that can be seen from all around the Sacred Valley. As you climb the steep steps of the archaeological site, stop, turn around, and look around you for spectacular views over Ollantaytambo town and the surrounding Sacred Valley.
The views are genuinely a sight for sore eyes! The main temples of the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo include the Royal House of The Sun, The Bath of the Ñusta (The virgin of the Inca), The magnificent Wall of the 10 Niches, Temple Hill, and its astronomical features, The Temple of The Condor, and central to all of these, The Sun Temple.
The best time to visit Ollantaytambo ruins is first thing in the morning or around sunset before the site closes for the evening. Throughout the day, the numerous tour buses arrive and leave travelers at the site, before or after they take the train to Machu Picchu to kill some time at the Ollantaytambo ruins.
Wander The Cobblestone Streets of this Ancient Inca Town
For excellent insight into the way of life during Inca times, take a walk around the narrow streets that compose the oldest section of Ollantaytambo. The local inhabitants of the town of Ollantaytambo have maintained the original Inca architecture of each of the buildings. You will be able to enjoy the picturesque, narrow, cobbled streets decorated with Inca walls boulders, and a narrow water channel running along the streets.
The water of an ancient spring runs through these water channels, all the way to the Urubamba River at the center of the Sacred Valley. The channels are part of the town’s ancient water distribution system, which shows how much the Incas had dominated the control of rainfall through their urban areas. Walking around these narrow streets will whisk you away back to Inca times, down each cobblestone street, and narrow alley, as you absorb the energy of the Inca Civilization, still alive along these wonderful streets.
The Granaries of Pinkuylluna
The granaries of Pinkuylluna are a number of "Colqas" that you can see built into the mountain opposite Ollantaytambo. Colqa in Quechua means food and granaries. These ancient refrigerators were constructed by the Incas around the same time as the construction of Ollantaytambo.
The Incas built colqas into the top of mountain tops to take advantage of the cold gusts of wind, which led to chilly weather conditions. They were used to preserve their food. These foods could be corn, wheat, and dried alpaca meat, among other ingredients from the fertile Sacred Valley below. You can hike to Pinkuylluna which takes approximately 1 hour, and the descent takes another hour. From this vantage point, you will have impressive views of Ollantaytambo before you.
Visit The San Pedro Market
Close to the main Ollantaytambo plaza, is a hub of modern-day Ollantaytambo activities - The San Pedro Market! This wonderful local market is a wonderful example of day-to-day life in The Sacred Valley of The Incas. While Ollantaytambo, like other small towns in The Sacred Valley, is an area that receives a lot of tourists as well as Expats who have chosen this magical place to live.
The local markets including San Pedro Market, offer an amazingly authentic look into real Andean community life at its best before you head off to Machu Picchu on your Luxury Peru Tour. While proudly and authentically "local", this wonderful market is welcoming to travelers too. Make your way upstairs for delicious set menus that are on sale for a hearty meal, or a hot delicious soup while you are in transit to Machu Picchu or heading back to Cusco.
Take Part in An Authentic Andean Workshop
There is a wonderful NGO (non-Profit) organization called Awamaki. Awamaki works with community women and helps them set up and run their own businesses. They do this by investing in their talents and leadership and provides a platform to sell their handicrafts and weavings online, globally.
This can help women increase their income, provide for their children, or become more independent, and transform their communities in a positive manner. The Awamaki tours offer travelers to immerse themselves in an authentic way with the Andean people and learn about traditional Andean traditions while supporting the local community.
They offer:
Cooking Classes: The cooking class heads to the San Pedro market with your guide to purchase your ingredients for the cooking class. Your guide will introduce you to new ingredients, and help you translate and understand the Sellers. You will then visit a local house for an authentic hands-on workshop where you’ll learn how to prepare a variety of Peruvian dishes.
Weaving Classes: Explore Quechua traditions and society through its ancient weaving traditions. Textiles are central to Peruvian Andean culture and you can visit a Quechua village and meet the local people in their homes. You can enjoy a traditional home-cooked lunch in the Andes, and learn traditional indigenous weaving techniques that date back to Inca times. Learn how alpaca wool is spun by hand into yarn, and how the magnificent colorful Peruvian garments are produced by these master weavers of the Andes.
Pachamanca Lunch at El Albergue Hotel
Pachamanca is a traditional, authentic Andean cooking method that uses an underground barbecue! Enjoy different meat and vegetables during this culinary experience. The food is cooked underground by heating up rocks, placing the ingredients on them, then collapsing the oven in, and covering it with earth until everything is cooked. One of the most amazing places to try this traditional Andean fare is at the Hotel El Albergue, at the Ollantaytambo train station.
You can sample this amazing way of dining and even enjoy a tour of the on-site organic farm, as well as a traditional cañazo distillery or the coffee roasting process while you are waiting for your unique lunch. Once lunch is served, expect all different types of meat and traditional Peruvian vegetables. Beef, lamb, chicken, pork, plenty of potatoes, broad beans, and corn are popular Pachamanca meals. Don´t worry if you are vegetarian or are allergic to any ingredients, please let us know at the time of booking and all dietary requirements can be catered for!
Read our pachamanca blog Here.
Visit a Real Chicheria!
Chicha is a beer made from fermented corn. This popular Andean beverage is all known as Inca Beer! Not all chicha contains alcohol, but the most common types of chicha found in the traditional Chicherias of Ollantaytambo, namely Frutillada and Chicha de Jora, both are.
Chicha de Jora tastes like a real ale beer. Frutillada is made with corn and flavored with strawberries so tends to be a little sweeter. Chicha is around 3%-5% alcohol, however, it is always homemade so alcohol levels can vary- proceed with caution! You can find the traditional Chicherias open early in the day. Once the chicha has all been drunk, the shop closes. Characteristically, a Chicheria can be spotted from a distance due to a long stick with a red bag hanging outside the door.
Explore Ollantaytambo
So here you have it! Here are our seven best reasons to visit Ollantaytambo and actually spend some time there, instead of rushing through this wonderful town on your luxury Machu Picchu Tours. If you have the time in your schedule to relax and wind down on your Luxury Peru Tours, Ollantaytambo is a uniquely wonderful town to do it! If you’re looking for a place in the Sacred Valley to stay while you acclimatize or use as a base for exploration, Ollantaytambo is perfect.
One thing is for sure, this remarkable Inca town is authentic, quaint, friendly, and with a million and one things to do here on your Luxury Peru tour. We have mentioned just 7 of them to get you started! Contact us at Andean Travel Experience if you would like to book a tour that includes the fascinating town of Ollantaytambo on your Peru Luxury tours.