Ollantaytambo, one of the “Best Tourism Villages in the World”.

Ollantaytambo is one of the most astonishingly beautiful tourist attractions in the whole world. It is the sole Inca town inhabited to date. The Inca architecture in its stone streets is preserved in combination with colonial squares and temples. So, let’s discuss what it has for you without wasting a moment.

In 2021, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) named Ollantaytambo one of the world’s best tourism villages. This recognition is no surprise to those who have visited this beautiful village in the Peruvian Andes. Ollantaytambo is a living museum with Inca ruins still in use today. Visitors can explore the ancient buildings and learn about the history of the Inca people.

In addition to its historical importance, Ollantaytambo is also a gateway to Machu Picchu, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Visitors can take a train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu or hike the Inca Trail. The UNWTO recognition boosts tourism in Peru, which has been growing in recent years. This award will help promote Peru as a tourist destination and bring more visitors to Ollantaytambo and other villages in the country.

Location

Ollantaytambo is located 80 km from Cusco city opposite Pisac town. You can reach there through Urubamba road – Chinchero, or by train that takes the route of 68 km. It is home for some of the most awesome Inca buildings while 2700 meters above sea level in Peru.

History.

Ollantaytambo was among the settlements conquered by the 9th Inca king, Pachacutec, who took over the Cusco Kingdom revolution into the Inca Empire – Tawantinsuyu. Ollantaytambo was the central frontier for agrarian laborers and Inca nobles during this reign.

Since Ollantaytambo lies at the junction between the Amazon basin and the high Andes, it is an important point by both political and geographical means. It remained the last Inca stronghold in the Andes until the last of them departed into the jungle after fighting a battle against the Spanish crew and trapping the Spaniards on the plains of the Ollantaytambo. Although the Incas won this battle, their position at Ollantaytambo was vulnerable due to their proximity to Cusco, so they withdrew further North into the jungle.

Important Places to Visit.

Even though many of the buildings of Ollantaytambo have been destroyed or damaged due to battles between the Spanish and Incas in 1537, it still conserves beautiful Inca lithic structures for many centuries. The most important tourist attractions you can visit in Ollantaytambo are discussed here:

The Royal House of the Sun.

These are 17 overlapping or superimposed yet very large terraces facing the town’s main square.

The strong Choqana.

It is a strong administrative center and checkpoint located 2 km from Ollantaytambo.

‘K’uychipunku’ or the Square Mañay Raqay.

It is located next to the Ollantaytambo’s entrance door, on the right side of the Patakancha stream.

The Temple of the Sun

This large monument, although destroyed, was made of 6 pieces and is still among the most beautiful spots to be visited in Ollantaytambo. The 6 huge rocks forming the western wall are incredibly accurate.

The Monumental Cover.

Within the upper group of platforms, the monumental cover lies at last. Two precisely polished stone canvases make up its walls. The site faced serious damage during the Spanish conquest; however, still among the most popular attractions on Ollantaytambo.

The Ñusta Bath.

It is a beautiful fountain having 3 water outlets that are sculpted inside.

The platforms.

A group of parallel platforms in Ollantaytambo has inclined parameters towards the hill with rungs embedded in their walls.

What else do you need to know?.

Apart from a brief introduction, history, and the most important places to visit in Ollantaytambo, there is much more you must know before you arrive or even before you plan your trip.

Why?

Because you might not want to spoil the whole of your trip due to small mistakes or the selection of the wrong time to get there, here is a little bit of additional information about the destination.

Best time to visit.

Although you can visit Ollantaytambo year-round, it is subjected to two specific seasons; the dry season and the rainy season, just like other parts of Peru’s Sierra region. The season continues from April to October, while the rainy season starts in November and ends in March, where the heaviest rain falls between January and February.

Conclusion.

Ollantaytambo is an amazingly beautiful tourist attraction in the world. Since it has a long abundant history, it is an attraction for those interested in destinations having history, geographical information, and politics, and even those who just like sightseeing. Although many monuments have been destroyed in the battles, the amazing Inca architecture is still preserved in the streets.