Ollantaytambo or Urubamba: Which to choose before Machu Picchu?
Ollantaytambo or Urubamba: Which to choose before Machu Picchu?
https://www.ticketmachupicchu.com/ollantaytambo-urubamba-which-choose/Ollantaytambo (2,792 m.a.s.l.) and Urubamba (2,871 m.a.s.l.) are two of the most important towns in the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Cusco, Peru. Both districts are home to important tourist attractions such as the fortress of Ollantaytambo or the Church of Santiago Apostle of Urubamba. In addition, because these sites are a must before visiting the Inca Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, many people choose to stay there instead of the city of Cuzco. Which one to choose? Both places are highly recommended. Learn more about them and make the best decision for your trip to the Inca Citadel.
- Ollantaytambo or Urubamba: Which one to choose?
- Ollantaytambo: How to get there, What to do, Weather and more
- Urubamba: How to get there, What to do, Weather and more
- Machu Picchu, Pisac, Chinchero and other tourist sites to visit
View of the Sacred Valley, where the towns of Ollantaytambo and Urubamba are located
Ollantaytambo or Urubamba: Which one to choose?
Although Cusco is the preferred place to stay before the trip to Machu Picchu, many tourists prefer the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Due to the proximity to the train station, Ollantaytambo and Urubamba are the two best options to stay. Here are some of the advantages of each:
Advantages of choosing Ollantaytambo
- The main train station to Machu Picchu is in this town. It is the best option for people traveling very early in the morning to Aguas Calientes.
- The fortress of Ollantaytambo is one of the most important archaeological sites in Cusco.
- The town is small and cozy. There are restaurants and 3 star hotels.
Advantages of choosing Urubamba
- The town is large. There are hotels of up to 5 stars and tourist services of varied quality.
- Only 25 kilometers separate Urubamba from the Ollantaytambo train station. By car it takes approximately 45 minutes to get there.
- The climate and landscape of Urubamba is considered one of the most beautiful in Cusco.
Ollantaytambo: How to get there, What to do, Weather and more
How to get to Ollantaytambo?
Cusco and Ollantaytambo are separated by 72 kilometers of road. From the ‘Imperial City’, it is reached by a minivan ride of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The price of this public service is 10 soles (3$ or 4$). Buses leave from Pavitos Street, near the Historic Center. This route passes through the towns of Chinchero and Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
What to do?
The main tourist attraction of this traditional town is the Ollantaytambo Fortress. This archaeological site has popular constructions such as the Royal House of the Sun, the Temple of the Sun, the Bath of the Ñusta and more. The urban structure of the town preserves its organization from Inca times. There are restaurants, cafes, craft stores and even a site museum. The atmosphere breathes tourism everywhere.
Weather
The climate in ‘Ollanta’ is warm and temperate. The average temperature is estimated to be 14.4°C. During the year there are two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The first runs from October to March and coincides with the warmest days and coldest nights. This is when most tourists visit this place. The rainy season runs from March to October and is characterized by the highest probability of river rainfall. Temperatures range between 5°C and 23°C.
How to go to Machu Picchu?
In Ollantaytambo is the main train station to Machu Picchu. There are two companies (Peru Rail and Inca Rail) which transport visitors from this traditional site to Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu town. From there it is only a short bus ride to the entrance gate to the Inca Sanctuary.
Accommodation
There are many hotel offers in the area. The quality of service varies from one to 3 stars. There are also inexpensive hostels. The high tourist season (April to October) is when most visitors stay. It is recommended to book a few days in advance if you plan to visit during those months.
Agricultural terraces located in the Ollantaytambo fortress
Urubamba: How to get there, What to do, Weather and more
How to get to Urubamba?
Cusco and Urubamba are separated by almost 53 kilometers of paved road. The way to get there is by a minivan ride of about 1 hour and 15 minutes. This public service costs approximately 10 soles (3$ or 4$). Buses leave from Pavitos Street in the historic center of Cuzco. They travel through the towns of Poroy and Chinchero in the Sacred Valley before arriving in Urubamba.
What to do?
In this important town tours to Moray and the salt mines of Maras are offered. There are also colonial buildings such as the Martin Pio Concha House and the Church of Santiago Apostle. Its beautiful Plaza de Armas is another tourist attraction. It stands out in this place the high quality restaurants where you can enjoy the delicious Peruvian cuisine. In Urubamba, the largest corn crop in Peru is grown. There, tours to Moray and the salt mines of Maras are offered.
Weather
The climate in Urubamba is temperate and warm, with temperatures ranging between 4°C and 21°C. There are two clearly differentiated seasons. The dry season runs from April to October and is characterized by sunny days. During the rainy season (November to March), on the other hand, rainfall is more frequent. The Vilcanota River and the mountains that surround this town create a climate known as one of the most pleasant in Cusco.
How to go to Machu Picchu?
There is only one train service from Urubamba to Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu Picchu town. This service is called ‘Peru Rail Sacred Valley’ and departs with a frequency of once a day. However, the most common way to get to the Wonder of the World is to travel to Ollantaytambo train station and take one of the trains to the Inca Citadel.
Accommodation
Urubamba has hotels of different categories (from 1 to 5 stars). Tourist services are of high quality. During the high tourist season (April to October), accommodations should be booked days in advance due to the greater influx of visitors.
Moray’s agricultural laboratories in Urubamba
Machu Picchu, Pisac, Chinchero and other tourist sites to visit
Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu town
This peculiar town has hotels from 1 to 5 stars. Among its main attractions are the thermal-medicinal baths, the handicraft market, the Putucusi mountain and the Mandor waterfalls. It is located at the foot of the Machu Picchu mountain. It is the best option for those who choose to visit the Wonder of the World in the early hours of the day.
Pisac
This town is home to the Pisac Archaeological Site, one of Cusco’s most important tourist attractions. Its popular handicraft market exhibits every Sunday traditional products such as alpaca clothing, gold and silver jewelry, handmade ceramics and more. It is located only 35 kilometers from the ‘Imperial City’ in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Chinchero
In this town, ancestral traditions still coexist with the inhabitants. There, the Inca Tupac Yupanqui had his residence palace built. Currently, there are several textile centers where they spin garments as their ancestors did hundreds of years ago. It is located 30 kilometers from the city of Cusco in the Sacred Valley.
Advice from people who have been there
By: Carlos G.“A wonderful and magical place!“
“To rest and disconnect from everything. It is the perfect place to disconnect days before reaching Machu Picchu to climb the mountain. The tranquility and serenity are priceless. The sky, the valley and the river are magical. You have a lot of hotels to stay in the Sacred Valley. I recommend Urubamba for the beauty of its landscape and climate.“
By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, July 11, 2024