Ollantaytambo is a village in the Urubamba Province of Peru, set in the Sacred Valley. It was an Inca fortress town, and its ruins still stand above the modern settlement, which is also known as Ollanta.
What to see
The village is known for its well-preserved ruins and its traditional stone streets, which follow the layout of the old Inca town. Walking through them gives a clear sense of how the place was built and how it has been lived in over time. The ruins rise above the streets, so a visit usually combines wandering the lanes with climbing up to look over the valley.
Getting there and staying
Ollantaytambo is an important stop on the train route to Machu Picchu, so many travellers pass through it on the way to the citadel. Those who break their journey here can spend time in the village rather than only changing trains.
Because it sits in the Sacred Valley, the village also makes a good base for exploring the surrounding area at a slower pace.
The community
The village has an active Quechua-speaking community, and everyday life here continues alongside the historic site. Visitors may hear Quechua spoken in the streets and markets, which adds to the sense that this is a living town as well as an archaeological place.
- Inca ruins above the village, with views across the valley
- Traditional stone streets shaped by the old town plan
- A stop on the train route to Machu Picchu
- A Quechua-speaking community going about its daily life
