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TravelTips24 : South America : Peru : Southern Sierra : Sacred Valley of the Incas : Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo (called by locals Ollanta) is a town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas near Cuzco in the Southern Sierra region of Peru. This is where the Incas retreated after the Spanish took Cuzco. Much of the town is laid out in the same way as it was in Inca times.

Travel to Ollantaytambo & Visa Requirements

Buses to Ollantaytambo

There are frequent buses to and from Urubamba (2 soles); further connection can be made to Cuzco there (3 soles). At 3:50pm, 4:40pm and 5:20pm there are direct buses leaving from Av Grau 525 in Cuzco (5 soles).

By rail

Two types of trains arrive at the station. The first is locals only that is heavily monitored to ensure no tourists ride it. There are hefty fines if caught on the locals' train. The second is the tourist train which runs Cusco/Ollantaytambo/Aguas Calientes. If you are doing the Inca Trail, you will want to get on the train to Aguas Calientes and get off when the train stops mid-route.

There are three types of tourist trains. Ordered by descending price, they are the Hiram Bingham, Vistadome, and Backpacker trains.

If you purchase a ticket from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, you cannot get of at Ollantaytambo for a few hours and then use the same ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. If you want to spend time in Ollantaytambo, it is more cost effective to take a bus to Urubamba from Cusco and then a connecting bus to Ollantaytambo.

Tours & Getting around Ollantaytambo

Walking or cycling is the best idea.

Ollantaytambo attractions and sightseeing

  • Take a stroll through the town. There are still several houses dating back from Incan time.
  • Ruins of Ollantaytambo - the only site where the Incas defeated the Spaniards in battle. Admission with boleto turistico (can be purchased at entrance to ruins).
  • Museo CATCCO [1] is the town museum, cultural and informational center for the town. Visit nearby museum store for high quality fair trade textiles from nearby Quechua communities.

Ollantaytambo city tours

Look for houses with red plastic bags hanging outside on posts. These houses are where locals go to drink Chicha, a local brew made out of corn. It is a great way to experience the local flavor, provided that you speak enough spanish to communicate with the other Chicha drinkers. It is advisable that you look for a place that serves things other than Chicha, as some people find the taste unpleasant. It should probably be mentioned that this is because Chicha is made by people chewing the corn and then allowing the saliva-corn mixture to ferment.

  • KB Tambo[2], a hostel, restaurant, mountain bike, and adventure tour office rents mountain bikes by the day and arranges tours. If you're lucky, KB himself will lead the tour; if you get this opportunity you should jump on it, and be advised you're likely in for some serious adventure.

  • The Chet, an Ollantaytambo exclusive! Ask any local or long-time visitor for details.

Ollantaytambo souvenirs & shopping

There are several shops, mainly Inca souvenir types.

Ollantaytambo Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

There are several restaurants around the Main Plaza.

  • Kusicoyllor Restaurant Cafeoffers novo andine & international cuisine,provide a good an unique view to the ruins, a candelite atmosphere for the dinner,Kusicoyllor restaurant is most common know to have the best coffee in Cusco.Located just near de Ollantaytambo fortress. Phone 204114
  • Hearts Cafe [3], is on the main square of Ollantaytambo with views across the plaza onto the Inca temple-fortress. Profits go to children's projects in the Sacred Valley. Pleasant pavement dining, quality coffee, book exchange, and plenty of magazines.
  • KB Tambo[4], a hostel, restaurant, mountain bike, and adventure tour office, has very excellent food by Chef Alejo, a Chilean native who has lived in Ollanta for 15 years. KB Tambo is located just down the hill towards the ruins from the Main Plaza. www.kbperu.com

Ollantaytambo nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

There are several bars around the Main Plaza.

Hang out at El Ganso with very down-to-earth owner "Acha".

Ollantaytambo cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

  • El Albergue Ollantaytambo [5]- A lovely bed & breakfast with hot showers, beautiful gardens and friendly staff. It is located on the train station platform for easy access to Machu Picchu train. The dining room offers home style cooking and great breakfast. The proprietor, Wendy Weeks, has been living in Peru for 30 years. Affordable prices, excellent food, English spoken. Don’t forget to take the sauna included in price of room. Knowledgeable staff offers great orientation and arrangements for day hikes, tours and activities. Hammocks in the back a great addition if you choose to just hang out.
  • KB Tambo[6] - Previously Hostal Miranda. Recently newly reconstructed with private baths in every room, pleasant courtyard garden and awesome rooftop deck with ruins views. English speaking owner - "KB" (very dynamic and interesting guy) - also rents mountain bikes by the day or will arrange a tour. Most excellent restaurant with food by Chef Alejo. KB Tambo is located at the top of the road from the railway station, at the intersection of the main road through town.
  • Pakaritampu, just up the road from the railway station. Beautiful garden. Restaurant and bar.
  • Hotel Munay T'ika, - This hostal has been under recent renovations. It is just up the road from the railway station, not too far from Pakaritampu. It is an inexpensive but clean hostal that also provides breakfast of breads, jams, eggs, banana pancakes, coffee and tea in the mornings (approximately $30/night).

Get out

This page was last edited at 09:55, on 7 September 2008 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by Peter Fitzgerald, Jordan Mills, Tim Sandell and Todd VerBeek, Wikitravel user(s) Morph, George cowie and Jonboy, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.

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