The archaeological city of Ollantaytambo dominates the surrounding landscape of Peru’s Sacred Valley, its massive terraces snaking up the hills and rugged stone buildings standing proud against the mountains. Built by Manco Inca, who founded and ruled over what is known as the Neo-Inca State, this vast temple complex became a foundation for military training and political indoctrination—as well as being an enormous agricultural centre of the Incan Empire. The town of Ollantaytambo is a near perfect example of 15th century Incan architecture continuously inhabited since the 13th century, and it was
only in this region that the Spanish army encountered significant resistance when invading, and they were held back until they could return with larger forces. Walking the town’s narrow backstreets, it’s as if you've stepped into a different century. Most of its terraces are still used for growing food—you may even see some locals dressed in traditional garb. A trip to the Temple of Sun is also worthwhile, with views of the Sacred Valley and nearby mountains. You can get away from the crowds and work up a sweat by hiking to Viewpoint of Pinkuylluna for an incredible vista over Ollantaytambo before catching a train to the base of Machu Picchu.

Contact one of our specialists + 44 (0) 20 3958 6120

Start Planning Your Holiday

Ollantaytambo Holiday Ideas

A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started
Cusco,The Sacred Valley,Lima
Cusco,The Sacred Valley,Lima
Cusco,The Sacred Valley,Lima
Cusco,The Sacred Valley,Lima
Cusco,The Sacred Valley,Lima

Cusco,The Sacred Valley,Lima

Off the Beaten Path in Peru

Delve into the artsy side of Lima on a walking tour of up-and-coming Barranco district

16 days, from £ 3,545 to £ 5,095

Uyuni, Sucre & Potosi,La Paz & Lake Titicaca,Cusco,Lima,Machu Picchu,The Sacred Valley
Uyuni, Sucre & Potosi,La Paz & Lake Titicaca,Cusco,Lima,Machu Picchu,The Sacred Valley
Uyuni, Sucre & Potosi,La Paz & Lake Titicaca,Cusco,Lima,Machu Picchu,The Sacred Valley
Uyuni, Sucre & Potosi,La Paz & Lake Titicaca,Cusco,Lima,Machu Picchu,The Sacred Valley
Uyuni, Sucre & Potosi,La Paz & Lake Titicaca,Cusco,Lima,Machu Picchu,The Sacred Valley

Uyuni, Sucre & Potosi,La Paz & Lake Titicaca,Cusco,Lima,Machu Picchu,The Sacred [...]

Sacred Valleys and Salt Flats in Peru and Bolivia

Visit the lost city of Machu Picchu with a private guide

14 days, from £ 3,840 to £ 5,525

Peru - Lima - Cusco - Machu Picchu - Lake Titicaca
Peru - Lima - Cusco - Machu Picchu - Lake Titicaca
Peru - Lima - Cusco - Machu Picchu - Lake Titicaca
Peru - Lima - Cusco - Machu Picchu - Lake Titicaca
Peru - Lima - Cusco - Machu Picchu - Lake Titicaca

Peru - Lima - Cusco - Machu Picchu - Lake Titicaca

A Peruvian Adventure with Teens: from Lima to Lake Titicaca

This family adventure will be tailored to your family's exact needs

13 days, from £ 4,105 to £ 5,180

Machu Picchu,Lima,Cusco,The Sacred Valley
Machu Picchu,Lima,Cusco,The Sacred Valley
Machu Picchu,Lima,Cusco,The Sacred Valley
Machu Picchu,Lima,Cusco,The Sacred Valley
Machu Picchu,Lima,Cusco,The Sacred Valley

Machu Picchu,Lima,Cusco,The Sacred Valley

A Family Peruvian Adventure

Visit one of the Seven New Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu

9 days, from £ 4,325 to £ 6,220

Peru - Lima - Major Inca sites
Peru - Lima - Major Inca sites
Peru - Lima - Major Inca sites
Peru - Lima - Major Inca sites
Peru - Lima - Major Inca sites
Peru - Lima - Major Inca sites
Peru - Lima - Major Inca sites
Peru - Lima - Major Inca sites
Peru - Lima - Major Inca sites

Peru - Lima - Major Inca sites

Highlights of Peru: Lima, Colca, Titicaca, Cusco & Machu Picchu

From the best restaurants in Lima, to the most spectacular Inca ruins

16 days, from £ 4,645 to £ 5,805

The Peruvian Amazon ,Lake Titicaca ,Arequipa & Colca Canyon,Machu Picchu,Lima,Cusco,The Sacred Valley
The Peruvian Amazon ,Lake Titicaca ,Arequipa & Colca Canyon,Machu Picchu,Lima,Cusco,The Sacred Valley
The Peruvian Amazon ,Lake Titicaca ,Arequipa & Colca Canyon,Machu Picchu,Lima,Cusco,The Sacred Valley
The Peruvian Amazon ,Lake Titicaca ,Arequipa & Colca Canyon,Machu Picchu,Lima,Cusco,The Sacred Valley
The Peruvian Amazon ,Lake Titicaca ,Arequipa & Colca Canyon,Machu Picchu,Lima,Cusco,The Sacred Valley

The Peruvian Amazon ,Lake Titicaca ,Arequipa & Colca Canyon,Machu Picchu,Lima,Cusco,The [...]

Perfect Peru

Spend three days surrounded by verdant rainforest in the Peruvian Amazon

15 days, from £ 5,870 to £ 8,440

Arequipa & Colca Canyon,Lima,Machu Picchu,Cusco,The Sacred Valley
Arequipa & Colca Canyon,Lima,Machu Picchu,Cusco,The Sacred Valley
Arequipa & Colca Canyon,Lima,Machu Picchu,Cusco,The Sacred Valley
Arequipa & Colca Canyon,Lima,Machu Picchu,Cusco,The Sacred Valley
Arequipa & Colca Canyon,Lima,Machu Picchu,Cusco,The Sacred Valley

Arequipa & Colca Canyon,Lima,Machu Picchu,Cusco,The Sacred Valley

Peru in Style

Stay in Peru's most stylish boutique hotels

18 days, from £ 5,905 to £ 8,490

The Sacred Valley,Lima,Machu Picchu
The Sacred Valley,Lima,Machu Picchu
The Sacred Valley,Lima,Machu Picchu
The Sacred Valley,Lima,Machu Picchu
The Sacred Valley,Lima,Machu Picchu
The Sacred Valley,Lima,Machu Picchu

The Sacred Valley,Lima,Machu Picchu

A Bucket List Trip To Peru

Visit Moray's terraces and the Maras salt pans by -bike

9 days, from £ 6,505 to £ 9,350

Galapagos Archipelago,The Sacred Valley,Cusco,Lima,Machu Picchu
Galapagos Archipelago,The Sacred Valley,Cusco,Lima,Machu Picchu
Galapagos Archipelago,The Sacred Valley,Cusco,Lima,Machu Picchu
Galapagos Archipelago,The Sacred Valley,Cusco,Lima,Machu Picchu
Galapagos Archipelago,The Sacred Valley,Cusco,Lima,Machu Picchu
Galapagos Archipelago,The Sacred Valley,Cusco,Lima,Machu Picchu
Galapagos Archipelago,The Sacred Valley,Cusco,Lima,Machu Picchu

Galapagos Archipelago,The Sacred Valley,Cusco,Lima,Machu Picchu

Peru and the Galapagos Archipelago

Get ahead of the Garcias by picking up authentic Peruvian items at the market in Pisac

15 days, from £ 6,885 to £ 9,900

Peru - Ecuador
Peru - Ecuador
Peru - Ecuador
Peru - Ecuador
Peru - Ecuador
Peru - Ecuador
Peru - Ecuador
Peru - Ecuador
Peru - Ecuador
Peru - Ecuador
Peru - Ecuador
Peru - Ecuador
Peru - Ecuador
Peru - Ecuador
Peru - Ecuador

Peru - Ecuador

From Peru to Ecuador: The Andes, the Amazon & the Galapagos

Combine these two countries, from the Inca valleys to the 'enchanted islands' via the Peruvian Amazon

19 days, from £ 7,145 to £ 8,840

Peru - Cusco - Machu Picchu - Bolivia - Titicaca - Uyuni
Peru - Cusco - Machu Picchu - Bolivia - Titicaca - Uyuni
Peru - Cusco - Machu Picchu - Bolivia - Titicaca - Uyuni
Peru - Cusco - Machu Picchu - Bolivia - Titicaca - Uyuni
Peru - Cusco - Machu Picchu - Bolivia - Titicaca - Uyuni
Peru - Cusco - Machu Picchu - Bolivia - Titicaca - Uyuni
Peru - Cusco - Machu Picchu - Bolivia - Titicaca - Uyuni
Peru - Cusco - Machu Picchu - Bolivia - Titicaca - Uyuni
Peru - Cusco - Machu Picchu - Bolivia - Titicaca - Uyuni
Peru - Cusco - Machu Picchu - Bolivia - Titicaca - Uyuni

Peru - Cusco - Machu Picchu - Bolivia - Titicaca - Uyuni

Peru & Bolivia: Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca & the Uyuni Salt Flats

Start in Lima and end in Santiago, with the Incas and the majestic Andes in between

15 days, from £ 7,410 to £ 9,375

Ollantaytambo Guide

Practical advice, client testimonials and inspiration to help you prepare for your holiday
A Client View... The Culture and History of Peru

BLOG

A Client View... The Culture and History of Peru

Contact one of our specialists
+ 44 (0) 20 3958 6120 Start Planning Your Holiday

Related ideas

Ollantaytambo / Lake Titicaca / Salar de Uyuni / Family Galapagos / Urubamba / Andes Mountains / Isla del Sol / Cotopaxi / Pisac Market / Puno / Arequipa & Colca Canyon / Guayaquil / Cusco / Visit to Condor Cross / Family South America / Cajamarca / Aguas Calientes / Otavalo / Argentinian Andes / Honeymoon South America