Ollantaytambo is often visited by tourists heading to Machu Picchu. To get there from the city of Cusco, you will cross the Sacred Valley of the Incas by bus or train. This Inca ceremonial fortress and center holds as many attractions as the Wonder of the World, so take your time to get to know it better.

• Is it worth visiting Ollantaytambo?
• Where is Ollantaytambo located?
• How do I get from Cusco to Ollantaytambo?
  • By the route Pisac
  • By the route Chinchero
  • With a tourist agency
• How much does it cost to get to Ollantaytambo?
  • How much does it cost to get there via the Chinchero route?
  • How much does it cost to get there via the Pisac route?
  • How much does it cost to get there with a tour operator?
• How to get to Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo?
  • Other routes to Machu Picchu
• What to see in Ollantaytambo?
• What to do in Ollantaytambo?
• Where to sleep in Ollantaytambo?
• What to eat in Ollantaytambo?
• Useful information about Ollantaytambo
• Questions and answers about the trip to Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo necessary step to get to Machu Picchu

Is it worth visiting Ollantaytambo?

• Ollantaytambo was a ceremonial center during the time of the Incas. This historic place served as a checkpoint for people who toured the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
• It also served as an operations center during the Inca resistance at the time of the Spanish invasion.
• Today, Ollantaytambo is considered one of the most impressive places in South America. Its Inca urban design has been preserved since the 13th century.
• Its archaeological site has incredible constructions such as Machu Picchu. There are restaurants and first class hotels there.

Where is Ollantaytambo located?

• Ollantaytambo is located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, in the current province of Urubamba (Cusco).
• It is located 2,792 meters above sea level (msnm), almost 60 kilometers from the city of Cusco.
• The town sits next to the Urubamba River. From this town, trains depart in the direction of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town).

How do I get from Cusco to Ollantaytambo?

• There are 2 ways to get to Ollantaytambo: one to the north through the town of Pisac and another shorter to the south, through the town of Chinchero.
• Otra de las formas que los turistas utilizan es contratar los servicios de una agencia de turismo que los transporte desde la ciudad del Cusco hasta la estación de tren Ollantaytambo.

By the route Pisac:

• To travel this route you must take the buses on Puputi S / N street in Cusco. The cars pass through the town of Pisac and arrive in Calca. The trip takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
• After Calca, you should take a car to the town of Urubamba (30 minutes).
• Finally, you must board a bus from Urubamba to the town of Ollantaytambo (30 minutes).

By the route Chinchero:

• To travel with this last route, you must board the small buses on Pavitos street in Cusco
• These cars reach the Main Plaza of Ollantaytambo (with an intermediate stop in the town of Urubamba). The trip takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• You can get to Ollantaytambo by train. However, the cost may be somewhat high for most people.
• If you are in one of the towns of the Sacred Valley, you can take the buses to ‘Ollanta’.

With a tourism agency:

• To travel with a tourism agency you must purchase a Cusco – Ollantaytambo transportation service.
• These services pick you up directly at the door of your hotel to transport you without stopping to the same train station.
• There are 2 types of service: shared (with other tourists who contracted the same service) or private (exclusive for a couple, group of friends or family).
• After visiting Machu Picchu, the tourist can also choose the return service: from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
• The prices are higher than doing it on your own. However, many tourists choose this service because it is safe and organized.

How much does it cost to get to Ollantaytambo?

Getting to Ollantaytambo is not expensive. The cheapest way to get there is by the short route (Chinchero route).

How much does it cost to get to Ollantaytambo by the Chinchero route?

How much does it cost to get to Ollantaytambo by the Pisac route?

How much does it cost to get to Ollantaytambo with a tourism agency?

How to get to Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo?

• In Ollantaytambo there is the train station from where most tourists depart in the direction of Machu Picchu.
• The train trip lasts approximately 2 hours (30.5 kilometers away). The final destination is the town of Aguas Calientes.
• In Aguas Calientes (also called Machu Picchu town) the buses leave in 30 minutes to ascend a steep mountain to the entrance gate to the Wonder of the World (9 kilometers away).

Train tickets (from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu) must be booked online and in advance.

Other routes to Machu Picchu

• Inca Trail: Only 15 kilometers from Ollantaytambo is the ‘Km 82’, the starting point of the famous Inca Trail. This adventure takes us to Machu Picchu in 4 days and 3 nights. It is considered one of the 5 best hiking trails in the world. Tickets must be booked online and months in advance.
• Route through Santa María: 119 kilometers from Ollantaytambo (2 hours by car) is the town of Santa María. From this place you get to Machu Picchu by the so-called ‘Hidroeléctrica’ route. This alternative path is longer but it includes hikes and adventures.

What to see in Ollantaytambo?

Ollantaytambo is magical. It conserves the straight streets of the Inca period. Where the inhabitants live today you can see the Inca walls of the original houses.

On one side of these small streets you can see Inca channels that currently supply the town with crystal clear waters. There you will feel at times that you go back hundreds of years to the past.

• Archaeological site of Ollantaytambo

  Ollantaytambo was a ‘tampu‘ (hostel) for the Inca nobility. After the Spanish invasion the town was rebuilt on the original layout. Among the most impressive structures of the enclosure you can see the Sun Temple.

• The town of Ollantaytambo

  In the town of Ollantaytambo you can enjoy its streets, its landscapes and its people. In your square you can observe the locals coming down from nearby communities with colorful traditional costumes and hats adorned with multicolored flowers.

• The Pincuylluna hill

  The Pincuylluna hill is located in front of the Temple of the Sun of the Ollantaytambo fortress. If you decide to climb the mountain, you can see structures of stone blocks superimposed with 6 windows of facades and 6 windows called ‘colcas’ (Inca warehouses).

• Site Museum of “CATCCO”

  CATCCO is the abbreviation of “Andean Center of Traditional Technology and Culture of the Communities of Ollantaytambo”. There are exhibited samples of architecture, craftsmanship and beliefs of the villagers.

Temple of the Sun Ollantaytambo

What to do in Ollantaytambo?

• Mountain biking

  Try mountain biking at the Abra Málaga. There it will descend around 1,500 m. (5,000 ft.) There you will get exceptional views on a tour that has been described by many as one of the most beautiful in South America.

• Horse riding tours to Inti Punku in Ollantaytambo

  In Ollantaytambo you can also take a horse and go to the Inti Punku viewpoint (Puerta del Sol). In the tour you will see archaeological sites and you can learn more about the Inca culture. The tour lasts around 8 hours round trip.

Where to sleep in Ollantaytambo?

• Ollantaytambo is a must to get to Machu Picchu, which is why a medium-sized tourist plant has been developed. There you can find hotels from 1 to 4 stars.
• If you wish, you can spend the night in Ollantaytambo after visiting the Sacred Valley of the Incas and, the next day, you can take the train to Machu Picchu.

What to eat in Ollantaytambo?

• In Ollantaytambo, there are more than 50 restaurants of different categories where you can have breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• They have pizzerias, bars, coffee-bars, restaurants of Peruvian food and others. All establishments serve quality food.

Interesting information about Ollantaytambo

• Ollantay… what? The correct pronunciation is /Oy-yahn-tie-tahm-bo/ . It can be difficult at first. However, once mastered it will sound quite good. The places simply say “Ollanta” /Oy-yahn-ta/.
• Ollantaytambo is called ‘Fortress’ because a tough battle between the rebel Incas and the Spanish invaders was fought there in 1537 .
• Ollantaytambo is the scene of a drama of unknown Quechua origin. According to history, the Inca general Ollantay is punished for wanting to marry the daughter of the Inca Pachacutec.
• Currently, Ollantaytambo celebrates the Ollantay Raymi Festival, a staging of the drama ‘Ollantay’. The staging is in Inca archaeological sites and takes place at the end of June.

Questions and answers about the trip to Ollantaytambo

• 1) How much does it cost to get to Ollantaytambo by public transport?

  The minivan trip from Cusco to Ollantaytambo costs 10 soles per person. The same trip by collective taxi costs 15 soles per person. The prices are referential.

• 2) How long does it take to get from Cusco to Ollantaytambo?

  The trip takes 1 hour 40 minutes on average.

• 3) Where do you take the buses that go to Ollantaytambo?

  Minivans and collective taxis are boarded on Pavitos street in the historic center of Cusco.

• 4) Where is the Ollantaytambo train station?

  The train station is located in the lower part of the town of Ollantaytambo. All transportation services from Cusco to Ollantaytambo drop you off there.

• 5) Are there cars for Ollantaytambo on Sundays?

  Yes, every day of the week the minivans and collective taxis leave from Cusco and go to Ollantaytambo.

• 6) How much does a collective taxi cost from Cusco to Ollantaytambo?

  On Pavitos street in the city of Cusco there are minivans and collective taxis that drive you to Ollantaytambo. The collective taxi takes you for a cost of 15 soles per person.

• 7) Is the trip to Ollantaytambo safe?

  Yes, the trip from Cusco to Ollantaytambo is through a safe paved road. Few accidents happen there. In addition, the trip takes only 1 hour 40 minutes.

• 8) What time do the first cars leave for Ollantaytambo?

  The cars that depart for Ollantaytambo are available from 3:30 in the morning on Pavitos street in the city of Cusco.

• 9) Can I get from Cusco to Ollantaytambo by train?

  Although this trip is not very common, it is possible to go from Cusco to Ollantaytambo by train (most do it by bus). Most visitors take their train at the Ollantaytambo station. It is also possible to travel by train directly from Cusco to Machu Picchu passing through Ollantaytambo.

• 10) How to get from Urubamba to Ollantaytambo?

  The town of Urubamba is only 19 kilometers from Ollantaytambo. This journey can be made by minivan or collective taxi. These services can be obtained on the main road or at the bus stop in Urubamba.

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 15, 2024