Published by Team Tunupa / October 22, 2026
In Ollantaytambo, the past is not behind a fence: people walk through it every day. Its narrow streets, stone walls and the water channels running beside the sidewalks keep the layout the Incas designed more than five centuries ago. And people still live there.
That is why it is known as the living Inca town.
A bit of history
Ollantaytambo was an important administrative, religious and farming center of the Inca empire, located at the end of the Sacred Valley, where the valley narrows toward the jungle. It is believed to have been part of the estate of the Inca Pachacútec.
During the resistance against the Spanish, Manco Inca took refuge here and, in 1537, his forces won one of the few Inca victories over the conquistadors, flooding the plain to stop the cavalry.
The temple and the terraces
Above the town rise great terraces that climb toward the area known as the Temple of the Sun. Its highlight is the wall of the six monoliths, huge blocks of pink stone fitted with precision, brought from a quarry across the river.
From the top, the view of the town and the valley is spectacular. On the opposite hill you can see the Inca storehouses of Pinkuylluna, where food was kept.
Exploring the town
It is worth getting lost in the streets of the old quarter, organized into blocks called canchas. Many houses keep their original Inca doorways. As you walk, you will hear the water in the channels that still work as they did centuries ago.
The main square is full of cafés, craft shops and local life.
Getting there and tips
- It is about two hours from Cusco by road and about 30 minutes from Urubamba.
- It is the most popular train station for Machu Picchu: it is worth arriving a day early to explore it calmly.
- The archaeological site is covered by the Cusco Tourist Ticket.
- Climb the terraces early to avoid the strong sun and the crowds.
- It is lower than Cusco, so it is a good place to acclimatize.
From Ollantaytambo to Tunupa Sacred Valley
If you are traveling through the valley, Tunupa Sacred Valley, in Urubamba, is on the way between Cusco and Ollantaytambo. It is the perfect place for lunch before taking the train to Machu Picchu or on your way back.
Conclusion: where history is lived in
Ollantaytambo is not just a stop before the train. It is one of the few places in the world where you can walk Inca streets that are still alive, among neighbors, water and stone.
Stay a little longer. It is worth it.
