Ollantaytambo
A living Andean town beneath an Inca ceremonial and defensive complex of terraces, temples, quarries, storehouses, and water channels.
Photo: FLASHPACKER TRAVELGUIDE · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Country
- Peru
- Region
- Cusco Region
- Civilisation
- Inca
- Period
- 15th century CE
Through time
The story
Ollantaytambo is a town and an Inca archaeological site in southern Peru some 72 km (45 mi) by road northwest of the city of Cusco. It is located at an altitude of 2,792 m (9,160 ft) above sea level in the district of Ollantaytambo, province of Urubamba, Cusco region. During the Inca Empire, Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas was the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti, after the mid-15th century. He built a town and a ceremonial center there.
At the time of the Spanish conquest of Peru, it served as a stronghold for Manco Inca Yupanqui, leader of the Inca resistance. It is now an important tourist attraction on account of its Inca ruins and its location en route to a starting point for the four-day, three-night hike of the Inca Trail.
Adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What you will see
- Temple Hill
- Wall of the Six Monoliths
- Agricultural terraces
Before you go
- Check opening hours and ticket rules shortly before your visit — they change seasonally.
- Plan for the heat. Most ancient sites have little shade; go early or late.
- Respect the barriers. Fragile surfaces are protected for the next visitors.
Discoveries from Ollantaytambo
No discoveries yet. Be the first to share a photo from here.
