Ollantaytambo
Cusco
Ollantaytambo is a historic town and archaeological site located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, about 72 km northwest of Cusco, Peru. Situated at an altitude of 2,792 meters, it served as the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti in the mid-15th century, who built the town and a ceremonial center. The site features an orthogonal urban layout with streets intersecting to form blocks containing kanchas—walled compounds with buildings around courtyards. Its terraces and irrigation systems exemplify Inca engineering and agricultural practices. Ollantaytambo also played a critical role during the Spanish conquest as a stronghold for Manco Inca Yupanqui, who successfully resisted Spanish forces in the Battle of Ollantaytambo in 1537. The town is unique for its continuous occupation since Inca times and for preserving some of the oldest dwellings in South America. Today, it is a major tourist attraction and a common starting point for the famed Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu.
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Consejo: The best time to visit Ollantaytambo is during the dry season from May to September for clearer skies and easier trekking conditions. It is advisable to purchase entrance tickets to the archaeological site in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, to avoid long lines. Visitors should wear comfortable walking shoes due to uneven terrain and consider acclimatization to the altitude. Guided tours can enrich the experience by providing historical context. Discounts may be available for students and seniors. Early morning visits can help avoid crowds and heat.
Datos interesantes
- •Ollantaytambo contains some of the oldest continuously inhabited dwellings in South America.
- •The Battle of Ollantaytambo in 1537 was a rare Inca victory against Spanish conquistadors, involving strategic flooding of the plains.
- •The town’s terraces include unique non-agricultural retaining walls designed to prevent landslides, uncommon among Inca sites.
- •Hiram Bingham III, the explorer who rediscovered Machu Picchu, stopped at Ollantaytambo in 1911 on his expedition.
- •The name Ollantaytambo likely derives from Aymara roots meaning 'place of observation from above', reflecting its strategic location.
Historia
Human occupation at Ollantaytambo may date back as far as 3,500 years, with evidence of settlements from the Huari civilization between 600 and 1000 AD.
In the mid-15th century, Inca emperor Pachacuti conquered and rebuilt the town as his royal estate, developing extensive terraces and irrigation systems.
During the Spanish conquest, it served as a fortified stronghold for Manco Inca Yupanqui, who defeated Spanish forces in 1537 at the Battle of Ollantaytambo.
Despite this victory, Manco Inca retreated to Vilcabamba, marking the end of Ollantaytambo’s role as a resistance center.
Later, in 1540, the native population was assigned to Hernando Pizarro under encomienda.
The site attracted foreign explorers in the 19th century and was visited by Hiram Bingham III in 1911 during his search for Machu Picchu.
Guía del lugar
Main Plaza and Town Layout15th century
The town features an orthogonal grid with four longitudinal and seven parallel streets, centered around a large plaza historically open to the east and surrounded by halls and residential blocks. The southern half of the town includes uniform kanchas—walled compounds with four buildings around a courtyard, showcasing Inca urban planning.
Terraces and Irrigation Systems15th century
Extensive agricultural terraces line the slopes around Ollantaytambo, built with advanced engineering to prevent landslides and manage water flow. These terraces were farmed by yanakuna, retainers of the Inca emperor, and remain a striking feature of the landscape.
Ceremonial Center on Cerro Bandolista15th century
Located on a hill overlooking the town, this Inca ceremonial center includes important structures used for rituals and administrative functions during the empire’s peak.
Fortress and Battle Site1537
The town and its approaches were fortified by Manco Inca Yupanqui during the Spanish conquest, serving as a defensive stronghold. The Battle of Ollantaytambo took place nearby, where Incas used terraces and flooding tactics to repel Spanish forces in 1537.
Contacto
Teléfono: 969 009 906