To board the train that will take you to the Inca City of Machu Picchu, you need to travel from the city of Cusco to the station of Ollanta, which is a district of the province of Urubamba, department of Cusco; it is located 90 km northeast of the city of Cusco at an altitude of 2,792 meters above sea level. It is located within the Sacred Valley of the Incas; and the tours to the Sacred Valley include it in the circuit as an important point of visit, along with Pisac and Chinchero, in this town is the Archaeological Site of Ollantaytambo.
It should be noted that Ollantaytambo was a religious and administrative center, built by the Inca Pachacutec, and is located on top of a mountain, surrounded by terraces and buildings. The visit to this ceremonial site is done on foot and lasts about 1 hour and a half. To get from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, you have the following alternatives:
- You can arrive by local public transport “Cusco – Ollantaytambo”; the trip lasts 1 hour and 40 minutes, by paved road. During the trip, you will pass through different towns of the Sacred Valley, you will have breathtaking scenery throughout the journey. The local bus can be boarded at Pavitos Street and Grau Avenue; it is a central street a few blocks from the Temple of Qoricancha. The cost is PEN S/. 10.00.
- You can take a cab recommended by the hotel, the cost is PEN S/. 50.00 depending on supply and demand. If you go by cab you have the advantage of being able to stop the car in the place you prefer, enjoy the scenery, take pictures, interact with the locals, etc.. It is recommended that you do not take just any cab, it should be one recommended by your hotel or travel agent.
- You have another option, which depends on the schedule of your train to Machu Picchu; you can take a half tour to the Sacred Valley and stay in Ollantaytambo. But remember, the tours to the Valley leave Cusco at approximately 09:30 hrs. and are in Ollantaytambo after lunch from 13:00 hrs – to 14:00 hrs. If you have more time, you can stay overnight in Ollantaytambo; there are many good quality hotels and restaurants.
By Inca Trail Machu Picchu - Last updated, 26-02-2024
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