Ollantaytambo is the place where Inca stonework and everyday life sit side by side. A steep staircase of terraces rises from the town to a temple area built of enormous, perfectly fitted blocks of pink rhyolite hauled from a quarry across the valley. Below, narrow cobbled lanes, running water channels and stone houses still follow the Inca street plan, and the town has a quiet, walkable charm that makes it a good place to stay. It is also the main station for trains to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. This full-day tour combines the market town of Pisac with the Ollantaytambo fortress and includes lunch, so it is a relaxed way to see the two headline sites of the valley without arranging your own transport between them.
The fortress was a stronghold and ceremonial centre, and the site is best known for the unfinished Temple of the Sun, whose six giant monoliths still stand upright. Allow at least ninety minutes to climb the terraces, look back down at the town and read the stonework, and more if you want to walk the opposite hillside to the storehouses. The climb is steep and the steps are uneven, so take your time and bring water. Morning is the best time, before tour groups arrive and when the sun lights the face of the terraces.
Entry is covered by the Boleto Turistico, which the partial valley circuit includes along with Pisac, Chinchero and Moray, so check whether your tour covers it. The town itself deserves an unhurried hour, with its working irrigation channels, the Mercado, small cafes and the stone lanes of the Inca grid. The valley is wetter from November to March, so expect passing showers and wet stone.
Many visitors reach Ollantaytambo as a stop on the way to Machu Picchu, which makes a night here very worthwhile. You can see the ruins first thing in the morning, walk to the train station and avoid a very early start from Cusco. If you come on a day tour, ask where the group stops and how long you have, since fortress time is often shorter than people expect.
What to expect
The experience
A guided full-day tour that visits the Pisac market, stops for lunch and then climbs the Ollantaytambo terraces and temple area.
Best time
First thing in the morning or late afternoon, when the stone is lit and the groups are thinner.
How long
Ninety minutes to two hours for the fortress and another hour for the town.
Tips
Bring water, wear grippy shoes, carry soles in cash and ask your guide whether the Boleto Turistico is included.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone who wants to see Inca engineering up close in a town that is still lived in.
- Families
- Children like the climb and the water channels, but the steep steps need supervision.
- Couples
- Stay a night in town, walk the lanes at dusk and climb the fortress early the next morning.
- Pair with
- Pisac market, the Maras and Moray stop, or the morning train to Machu Picchu.
- Time needed
- A full day by tour, or half a day if you are staying in the town.
Good questions
How long do you need at Ollantaytambo?+
Plan on about two hours for the fortress and an hour for the town. Add more time if you stay overnight and want to walk the quiet streets.
Is Ollantaytambo included in the Boleto Turistico?+
Yes, it is part of the partial valley circuit that also covers Pisac, Chinchero and Moray, and of the full ticket. Check whether your tour price already includes it.
Is the climb difficult?+
The terraces are steep with uneven steps, but you can go at your own pace and rest on the landings. Good shoes and water make a big difference.
Can I visit Ollantaytambo on the way to Machu Picchu?+
Yes, it is the usual train station for the trip, and staying a night lets you see the fortress without rushing. Many travellers do exactly that.
What is it like in the rainy season?+
From November to March expect showers, wet stone and fewer crowds. The hills are green, and mornings are often clear enough for good views.
