Declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the World by a worldwide poll in 2007, Machu Picchu is on most travelers’ bucket lists and no trip to Peru would be complete without a selfie snapped from its summit. One unfortunate side effect of this popularity is that the glitz and glamor of Machu Picchu tends to overshadow some other attractions that the region has to offer, and visitors often overlook some truly amazing sites in their rush to get there. Ollantaytambo, or Ollanta as it is known to locals, is one of those underrated hidden gems.
A lot of tourists do pass through Ollantaytambo briefly; it’s included as a stop on many tours of the Sacred Valley, it’s close to one of the most popular starting points for the famous Inca Trail, and the train to Machu Picchu can also be boarded there. Nonetheless, Ollanta usually represents just a small footnote in the typical tourist’s travels, the opening act to the main attraction of Machu Picchu. We’d argue that this last living Inca town is a rewarding destination on its own and definitely worth spending a day or two exploring.
Here are the best reasons to plan a visit to Ollantaytambo:
1. It’s Alive!
When we call it the “last living Inca town,” we mean it. Ollantaytambo is a bustling modern town that still happens to use much of the infrastructure built by the Inca Empire. It’s one of the only places where you can still see the Inca street grid system in use and many of the town’s houses date all the way back to Inca times. Even the canal system serving as the town’s water supply was built by the Incas. One of the best things to do in Ollanta is to just wander through the ancient streets without a guide, transporting yourself back in time and imagining the way it looked hundreds of years ago.
2. It’s On The Way
As we’ve already mentioned, you’re probably already stopping in Ollantaytambo anyway if you’re going to Machu Picchu or any sites in the Sacred Valley. The most popular starting point for the Inca Trail at the 82 kilometer mark from Cusco along the Urubamba river is just a short distance from Ollantaytambo, and the town is also the easiest place to catch the train to Machu Picchu. Why not take advantage of the fact that you’re there and dive a little deeper into the sights and sounds of this amazing place!
3. It’s Historically Significant
Ollantaytambo is without a doubt one of the most important places in the story of the Inca Empire. The town and ceremonial center as they stand today were originally built by the emperor Pachacuti who, after conquering the town and surrounding region, incorporated it into his own personal estate. His construction works included massive irrigation channels and agricultural terraces which were farmed by yanakuna, or royal servants.
By the time of the Spanish conquest of Peru, Ollantaytambo was being used as a temporary capital by emperor Manco Inca. Originally a puppet ruler and ally of the Spanish, Manco Inca rebelled in the year 1536 by launching a siege of the city of Cusco, then under Spanish control. In order to draw the Inca forces away from Cusco, the Spanish mounted an offensive against Manco’s headquarters at Ollantaytambo. There, the Spanish forces led by Francisco Pizarro sustained an infamous defeat at the hands of the Incas, who held off the advance by attacking from fortified hillside terraces and flooding the valley below.
Despite this victory, Manco Inca felt vulnerable at the location and he eventually abandoned the town, retreating with his army to the deep jungle site of Vilcabamba. Subsequent centuries saw the construction of newer buildings by Spanish colonizers and later by Republican Peru, but much of the original Incan infrastructure remains remarkably intact.
What to See
Make sure to visit these interesting places during your stay in Ollantaytambo:
The Temple Hill
Wrapped around the side of Cerro Bandolista, the steep mountain located to the west of town which forms a semi-enclosure around it, there are a number of magnificent stepped terraces leading up to a religious ceremonial center at the top. This religious complex is remarkable for its ornate fitted stonework, including the famous Wall of the Six Monoliths. Sitting at the foot of the ruins is also the so-called Bath of the Princess, a ceremonial bath showcasing some impressive feats of engineering (it was designed to allow the Princess to control the flow of water by hand).
Pinkuyllana Granaries
Facing the temple on the opposite side of the valley are a series of impressive Inca granaries called Pinkuyllana. You can see these storehouses from the ground, but the truly daring will hike up a narrow trail clinging precariously to the mountainside in order to see them up close. It’s your call! If you choose the daredevil route, make sure you’ve got some good footwear and don’t go if you’re afraid of heights!
Inca Bridge
Just a short walk from town lies another relic from Inca times, a still-standing bridge across Vilcanota River. The bridge itself is not especially impressive (don’t confuse it with the famous wooden bridge at Machu Picchu), but once on the other side of the river you’ll encounter a pleasant hiking trail with an abundance of butterflies and birds set amid gorgeous natural scenery.
Ñaupa Iglesia
This mysterious site is a little further off the beaten path than the other options, but a hike here is especially rewarding since it’s unknown to most tourists–you may even be the only person there. Ñaupa Iglesia, which means “Church of the Ancient Ones,” is reachable from the town of Pachar located just outside of Ollantaytambo. It consists of a couple of small altars at the entrance to a cave. The origins and meaning of the site remain obscure. One interesting feature is a “false door” which some mystics consider to be a sort of portal to another dimension. Whatever it was used for, this little-known ruin certainly has an enigmatic air to it and is worth seeing for yourself if you want to get slightly off the standard tourist track.
Visit Ollantaytambo
Hopefully this guide has inspired you to stay a little longer in Ollantaytambo and see the magical sights that this last living Inca town has to offer. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by everything the Sacred Valley has to offer and try to pack in as many places as possible on your way to Machu Picchu, but you won’t regret taking the time to explore a little deeper.
Header Image: Modified from Flickr / amy.herbs
1st Blog Image: Modified from Flickr / Michael de la Paz
2nd Blog Image: Modified from Flickr / Elaine Cristina Strelow
3rd Blog Image: Modified from Flickr / Mas_y_mas3
