We had no idea what to do in Ollantaytambo Peru. We took a plane from Los Angeles, another plane from Lima, and a taxi from Cusco straight there with no plan but to acclimatize for a few days at a lower elevation (9,160′) before returning to Cusco (11,152′) and taking off on the Salkantay Trek. Now we wish we had stayed longer!
Ollantaytambo is lively, but in a quaint mountain town sort of way. There seem to be a ridiculous number of pizza shops per capita, though Incan culture still manages to overpower foreign influence here. The only major Incan victory over the Spanish was won here, and the last known Incan stronghold lies hidden up one of the neighboring high altitude Andean valleys.
For such a small town, it maintains a large cultural presence in the Sacred Valley. Ollantaytambo acts as a sort of gateway to the Inca Trail, Aguas Clientes, and Machu Picchu itself. Most visitors experience it for an afternoon, but its story is significant in Peruvian history and is definitely worth a longer trip.
We found everything from a rich cultural history to challenging adventures in Ollantaytambo.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, designed to allow The Unremarkable Climber (me) to earn a small commission if you choose to book through them, at no extra cost to you. This really helps support the site and lets me know you find this information valuable! That being said, all of the experiences I recommend, commission based or not, are genuine recommendations for some of my favorite activities, so I hope you enjoy them as much as I have! Feel free to drop any questions in the message box below.
What to Do in Ollantaytambo Peru if You Love History
Visit Ollantaytambo Archeological Site
Ollantaytambo Archeological site is one of the most significant Incan constructions in the Sacred Valley. Home to steep terraces, the Temple of the Sun, and intricate water canals which flow down to the town itself, the diversity of things to see makes for a great half-day activity.
For those wondering what to do in Ollantaytambo, Peru, Ollantaytambo Archeological Site should be on everyone’s list.
When you arrive at the entrance, you’ll have to buy a ticket. We chose the Boleto Turistico del Cusco that was good for three other archeological sites too (Pisaq, Moray, and Chinchero) over two consecutive days. It cost 70 soles (~$20USD).
My Recommendations: Hire a Guide + Hike to Inka Watana
To appreciate this entire site to its fullest, I’d recommend hiring a local guide at the entrance who can explain the historical significance of everything you’re looking at. We shared a guide with a couple other English speakers and it was well worth it! Make sure to ask about the smaller Pinkuylluna Site across the way.
We then continued our exploration past the Temple of the Sun and out a gate in the back which took us high up to Inka Watana— a site with more ruins and a beautiful overlook. I’d definitely recommend putting in the extra effort for the views alone.
On this steep 15-minute hike, you’ll get panoramic views into the valleys surrounding the site without many other people around.
Explore Pinkuylluna Archeological Site
The next logical activity after Ollantaytambo Archeological Site is the slightly smaller Pinkuylluna Archeological Site on the hill across the way. There is no entrance fee, and the trailhead is rather small and unassuming, but the hours of operation are strictly 7:30am to 4:30pm as we discovered at 4:45 one evening.
The hike was short and steep and the entire thing only took us about an hour round trip. However, Pinkuylluna had an entirely different purpose, so the ruins are different and it offers nice views of Ollantaytambo.
Plan a Visit During Ollantay Raymi Festival in June
If history is your passion, definitely plan a visit for late June to experience all the winter solstice festivals throughout the Sacred Valley. During late June, Ollantaytambo in particular becomes the epicenter of a unique cultural festival called Ollantay Raymi.
During Ollantay Raymi, performers retell the Quechua love story between General Ollantay and Kusi Qoyllur at Ollantaytambo Archeological Site. Queue lots of music, dancing, and celebrations! You could also experience Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) in nearby Cusco on June 24th.
Even when we visited in November, there seemed to be some sort of festival or celebration every day, so we quickly got the idea that Peruvians love to go all out to celebrate their cultural heritage!
What to Do in Ollantaytambo if You Love Adventure
We had no idea what to do in Ollantaytambo when we first arrived, but quickly discovered that it offers a unique home base for all sorts of adventures. Whether you’re searching for a day trip or multi-day adventure, returning to this quiet town is the perfect way to recharge before embarking on the next one.
Backpack the Inca Trail
Backpacking the Inca Trail is one of the most popular adventures, not just in Ollantaytambo, but in the entire world. The main starting point is only 15km from the town of Ollantaytambo. On this adventure, you’d hike approximately 44km over four days through the high Andes, reaching a towering 4,215m elevation, and ending in the famous Machu Picchu.
I personally chose to do the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu over the Inca Trail at the recommendation of close friends. The company we went with (Salkantay Trekking) made it the adventure of a lifetime, and they also offer a similar guided Inca Trail experience.
Take the Train to Aguas Calientes
If you can’t backpack, at LEAST take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes— the town at the base of Machu Picchu. There’s a lot going on for such a small town. Lots of shops and restaurants line the river, and Machu Picchu is obviously incredible if you can snag a ticket far in advance (circuit two is best).
The train ride itself is also quite pretty, and both Inca Rail and Peru Rail have lots of windows, even on the roof so you can see the towering cliffs above on your 90-minute ride. The round trip ticket will cost you roughly $150-$200 depending on departure time.
White-Water Raft the Urubamba River
This might have been our favorite activity in Ollantaytambo. The night before the tour, we wandered into KB Tours in the town square and decided to book a half-day rafting adventure for the following morning, totally on a whim.
We put in only a few minutes out of town and got to see the Sacred Valley in a super unique way. Between exhilarating stretches of Class III rapids, our guide pointed out Inca construction still in use today and told stories of the past. Join us on our adventure below!
To book this particular rafting tour from Ollantaytambo, you’ll have to physically walk in to book, or try this similar tour leaving from Cusco.
Mountain Bike through Moray and Maras Salt Mines
Ride through the Peruvian countryside to two of the four most recommended archeological sites near Ollantaytambo. Both Moray and Maras are testaments to the ingenuity and scientific accomplishment of the Incan culture.
Moray was very quiet the day we visited and we really got to appreciate the landscape as we wandered through the terraces. Maras was much larger than we thought it would be, and it really put into perspective the precision needed for such an elaborate process.
This tour (below) is for intermediate mountain bikers, but should be fine for anyone with any mountain biking experience because your guide is super patient and helpful. If you are not remotely comfortable on a bike, I’d highly recommend visiting these sites anyway on your way from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
What to Do in Ollantaytambo if You Love Food
Peru is pretty well known worldwide as a major food capital. Ollantaytambo, as small as it is, is no exception. Everything from the nice restaurants to the street food was super tasty and different than anything I’ve had in the United States.
As an Andean mountain town, the main specialties include alpaca, trout, chicken, cuy, and LOTS of giant corn and potatoes. However, I was surprised to find really great fresh juices, locally sourced mint tea, and tasty pizza at most restaurants too.
Try empanadas at one of the many cafes!
There are a ton of cafes along the main streets. Every cafe we tried made their empanadas just a little bit differently. I’d recommend trying a few places and finding your favorite.
Try Peruvian Pizza at Inti Grill
Surprisingly, this was our favorite place we ate in town! We ordered mango juice, two for one maracuya sours during happy hour, and a really good pizza. There are a lot of pizzerias in Ollantaytambo, but my favorite part of this little restaurant was the view of the ruins from our second floor table.
Try a Tasting Experience at ALQA
The restaurant at the ALQA museum is probably the fanciest place to eat in Ollantaytambo. The most extravagant offering is a 7-course tasting menu comprised of unique dishes with local ingredients that highlight contemporary Andean cuisine. For such a small and rustic town, the food served at ALQA is quite upscale and unique.
How to Get to Ollantaytambo
The easiest way I found to get to Ollantaytambo Peru from Cusco was via taxi. We used a reliable website called Taxidatum to get from Cusco Airport to Ollantaytambo.
We submitted our flight number and time via Taxidatum so they’d know if the flight was delayed. The driver communicated well and contacted me via WhatsApp when and where he was waiting for us. The fare was only $35 for a private taxi (2025) and took just under two hours with a bit of traffic leaving Cusco.
I couldn’t think of an easier service to use, and it bypasses the overwhelming number of taxi drivers at the airport. If you’re not coming from the airport, there are plenty of shuttle buses and taxis around, and the train runs straight through the town if coming from Aguas Calientes.
When to Visit Ollantaytambo Peru
The best time to visit Ollantaytambo Peru is April through November. Dry season (June through September) is SUPER crowded, but for good reason. It’ll probably be rainier in spring and fall, but still manageable for outdoor activities like exploring ruins and trekking through the Andes.
While you technically could still visit Ollantaytambo from December to March, you’d have to prepare for a few down days of torrential rains and potential delays due to landslides blocking roads. Some activities might be unavailable altogether if the storms are strong enough, but the town will be the least busy.
How Long to Stay in Ollantaytambo
I’d recommend staying in Ollantaytambo for three to five days to give yourself time to acclimate to the altitude and explore the surrounding area. The town is small, so that’ll give you plenty of time to explore the whole thing and add in a few day trips further away, depending on your interests.
After three days, you should be all set to move up in elevation and branch out to other Sacred Valley sites. An extra few days in Ollantaytambo will allow you to venture out a little and return to a town MUCH more relaxing (and quiet!) than Cusco. I personally wouldn’t stay much longer than a week.
We are super happy we prioritized our stay in Ollantaytambo on our three-week Peru itinerary. Most visitors we spoke with who only passed through wished they had stayed longer. Ollantaytambo was the perfect introduction into Andean food, history, and culture as a whole and offered us a bit of adventure too! I’d highly recommend adding a few days in Ollantaytambo Peru to your itinerary.
More Things to Do near Ollantaytambo Peru
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