Ollantaytambo: the fortress and the train, at 14:15 on all four departures
The day's lowest point, at 2,790 m, and the only site all four departures visit: at 14:15, after lunch, with an hour to climb the fortress-temple, see the six monoliths of the Temple of the Sun and walk the Inca town that keeps its original layout. For those going on to Machu Picchu, the tour ends here at 15:30, a few minutes' walk from the station.
Altitude
How high is Ollantaytambo?
Ollantaytambo is at 2,790 m, 560 m below Cusco: the lowest of the tour's 7 stops.
The stops in the Super Sacred Valley's order (Chinchero → Maras → Moray → Urubamba → Ollantaytambo → Pisac) and the Taray viewpoint, visited only by the Traditional; the dashed line is Cusco, where you sleep. Altitude and altitude sickness →
What's there
Three things in an hour
The fortress-temple
Terraces climbing the hillside up to the Temple of the Sun; stone stairs and views over the town and the valley. It's the stop with the most steps of the day.
The six monoliths
Pink stone blocks joined with fine seams at the top of the temple; the guide explains where they came from and how they're thought to have been moved.
The living Inca town
Narrow streets with water channels and Inca walls that are still the town's houses: the only one with its original layout still in use. Why the Incas built it here is told in our Sacred Valley history.
Photos
Ollantaytambo, in four photos
Tap a photo to see it largeThe four departures
14:15, an hour after lunch
From Urubamba, 1 h 10 along the valley floor. An hour's visit and, at 15:15, the group splits: those returning to Cusco continue to Pisac (Super) or to Chinchero (Traditional); those going on to the train stay. Super itinerary →
Ends in Ollantaytambo
15:30, a few minutes from the station
The departures ending here cost US$1 less and leave time for the 16:36 Inca Rail or the 19:00 Peru Rail to Aguas Calientes; never a train earlier than 16:36. Tickets are bought on each company's website. How it fits with the train →
Practical
Before you get off the bus
| Entrance | Boleto Turístico, separate from the tour price; paid in soles. Entrance fees by route → |
| Effort | Medium: stone stairs up to the Temple of the Sun. You can climb slowly; there are views from halfway up. |
| Luggage | If you're going on to the train, your luggage travels with you on the bus and you take it off here. |
| Toilets and water | In the town, near the square and the entrance area. |
| Who visits it | All four departures. The 5 sites → |
The hillside fortress-temple, the Temple of the Sun with its six monoliths and the only living Inca town that keeps its original layout, with water channels in the streets.
At 14:15 on all four departures, after lunch in Urubamba, with an hour's visit.
Here, at 15:30, a few minutes' walk from the station. We recommend the 16:36 Inca Rail or the 19:00 Peru Rail; never a train earlier than 16:36. Tickets are bought on each company's website.
Ollantaytambo is covered by the Boleto Turístico, along with Chinchero, Moray and Pisac. It's paid separately from the tour, in soles.
It's the stop with the most stairs of the day: the climb to the Temple of the Sun is up stone terraces. You can go slowly and stop halfway up.
At 2,790 m, the tour's lowest point, 560 m below Cusco. You breathe more easily than in the city.
Yes. The departures ending in Ollantaytambo leave you there at 15:30 and from the town you make your own way to your accommodation; many travellers take the train the next morning.
Ollantaytambo tomorrow at 14:15
Choose your departure and get the exact pickup time for your Cusco accommodation tonight.