Things to do in Ollantaytambo

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Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu means "old mountain" in Quechua and is often called the "lost city of the Incas." This mountain citadel, built by the Inca Empire in the 15th century, sits on a steep ridge in the Andes at an elevation of approx. 2,400 m, overlooking the rushing Urubamba River valley. Hidden among mountains and clouds, it eluded Spanish colonizers and was abandoned with the empire's fall until its rediscovery in 1911 by American explorer Hiram Bingham, led by a local guide. The city is constructed with precisely fitted dry-stone walls that have withstood centuries of weather and earthquakes. Visitors can explore two main areas: the agricultural terraces and the urban sector. The Temple of the Sun's windows align with the summer solstice sunrise, reflecting Inca sun worship; the Temple of the Three Windows, with its massive stonework, and the central plaza formed the religious core. The Intihuatana, a finely carved monolithic stone, is believed to have served astronomical purposes, giving rise to its name meaning "hitching post of the sun." The viewpoint near the Guardian's Hut frames the ruins with the towering Huayna Picchu peak—a classic photo spot—while alpacas often wander into shots on the terraced lawns. Morning mists clearing at sunrise, with sunlight bathing the stone walls, create a magical scene, so early arrival is recommended. Due to the high altitude and strong UV rays, sun protection and warm layers are essential. For the adventurous, hiking the Inca Trail for days and glimpsing the citadel from the Sun Gate remains an unforgettable arrival for many trekkers.

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Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo is a small town deep in the Sacred Valley of Peru and a stop that is hard to bypass on a Sacred Valley itinerary—most trains to Machu Picchu depart from the station in town, and many travelers choose it as a transfer stop. However, its charm is not limited to being the gateway to Machu Picchu: it is often called a living Incan town, where the neighborhoods still follow the urban layout from the Incan period, with stone-paved roads, narrow car-free alleys, and Incan water channels that still flow along the streets today, all retaining their appearance from hundreds of years ago, making it perfect for slowing down and wandering aimlessly.

Zona Arqueologica Moray

Amidst the vast hills of the Sacred Valley in Peru, Zona Arqueologica Morayresembles a set of giant green fingerprints embedded in the earth, revealing the astonishing agricultural wisdom of the Incan civilization. This archaeological wonder, composed of three sunken circular terraces, was once an open-air laboratory for the 15th-century Incan Empire, whose ingenious design still amazes agronomists today. As visitors spiral down the rammed-earth paths, they can clearly see the drainage systems and stone retaining walls built by the Incas. In the early morning, sunlight dyes the terraces in a golden-green gradient, while the distant snow-capped mountains and herds of alpacas form a natural frame.

Salt Mine of Maras

Salt Mine of Marasis an ancient salt pan in the Sacred Valley of Cusco, Peru, situated on the Andean slopes at an altitude of over 3,000 m near Urubamba. Its history of salt production predates the Inca Empire, spanning the Inca and colonial periods to the present day, and is still managed by hundreds of families from the villages of Maras and Pichingoto, a tradition passed down through generations. Saltwater springs at the top of the slope are channeled into a network of ditches and then diverted into thousands of scattered, square salt pools. Once the spring water fills the pools, it slowly evaporates under the intense sun and dry winds of the plateau, leaving layers of salt crystals at the bottom. During the dry season, the salt produced is pinkish-white, while in the rainy season, it is brownish-yellow, with the varying shades of pool water and salt surfaces forming a giant mosaic under the sunlight.

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Sacred Valley

Sacred Valley is the valley of the Urubamba River in the Andes. It is near Cusco. The valley's elevation is lower than Cusco's, ranging between 2,000–3,000 m, with a significant elevation difference. The area is rich in produce, capable of growing various crops ranging from potatoes and corn to bananas, spanning cold, temperate, and even tropical climates. The latter formed the economic foundation during the Inca period. Through the valley, the Incas could reach the Amazon plains to trade crops with the tribes living there. After the Spanish captured Cusco, the Inca kings retreated into the valley, relying on defensive fortifications built into the terrain to continue their resistance.

Ollantaytambo Archeological Site

Ollantaytambo Archeological Site is one of the important sites from the Inca Empire period, attracting countless visitors with its magnificent architecture and unique location. The ancient complex, perched on a cliff, overlooks the surrounding valley and the winding Urubamba River, creating a magnificent view. The site's architectural style reflects the superb craftsmanship of the Inca civilization, with massive stone blocks arranged neatly, demonstrating the Incas' masterful command of construction techniques. In particular, the temples and altars here remain well-preserved to this day, serving as important sites for studying Inca culture and religion. Standing at the site, visitors can gaze out at the surrounding mountains and rivers, feeling a profound sense of connection with nature and history. The surrounding lush tropical vegetation contrasts beautifully with the ancient stone walls, creating a secluded, tranquil, and mysterious place.

Plaza de Armas de Ollantaytambo

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Qorikancha

Qorikancha was the core building in the Inca Empire's religious system, known in Quechua as Coricancha, meaning "golden enclosure." According to records, the temple walls were once covered with hundreds of gold plates, and the courtyard contained gold and silver statues of llamas, corn, and people. The complex also housed separate halls dedicated to the sun god Inti, as well as the moon, stars, and thunder. This gold was looted after the Spanish colonial conquest. The temple showcases the Incas' exquisite stonework—using diorite, andesite, and limestone, the stones were perfectly cut and fitted together seamlessly without mortar. The design of the walls, which are thick at the base and slope slightly inward, allowed them to remain intact during multiple major earthquakes; meanwhile, the Convent of Santo Domingo, built by the colonists on the site in the 16th century, was repeatedly damaged by tremors. Today, the two structures coexist, serving as a direct testament to the collision between Inca and Spanish colonial cultures. The temple still retains several original Inca halls with sloping walls and trapezoidal niches, and an attached underground archaeological museum displays mummies, textiles, and ritual artifacts. Interpretive signs are placed throughout the site, helping visitors understand the background of Inca architecture and religion.

Templo del Sol

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Saqsaywaman

This huge stone circle overlooks the city of Cusco. Like other typical Inca buildings, the Incas did not use any reinforced concrete. They used exquisite stone grinding technology to grind the large stones into specific shapes, and then put them together tightly. The stone circles that tourists see now are only a small part of the original ones. Today Sacsayhuaman is not only a must-see attraction for tourists to Cusco, but the highlight of IntiRaymi, the grand festival of the sun at the end of June every year, is held here.