Ollantaytambo and the Sacred Valey, Peru - A Travel Guide
Last Updated: October 24, 2021
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ABOUT THE SACRED VALLEY | SHOULD I GO? | WHAT TO DO | WHERE TO STAY | WHERE TO EAT | WHERE TO PARTY
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Sacred Home of the Inca
The Sacred Valley found high up in the Peruvian Andes, is said to be the centre of the Inca’s homeland. The Sacred Valley runs for around 40 miles from the east of Cusco to the world-famous Machu Picchu, encompassing some of the main villages the Inca people walked many years ago, including that of Ollantaytambo. The valley follows the flow of the Urubamba River which weaves its way through the sacred homeland.
Ollantaytambo is one of the better-known villages and is the starting point for all the well-known hikes, such as the
Inca Trail and the Quarry Trail. It is also known for its Inca fortress ruins that run along the base of the snow-capped mountains that watch over the village.
A Short Stop in the Sacred Valley
A little way into my 2015 Peru travels, having left Cusco and Umasbamba, we set out for Ollantaytambo, stopping along the way to admire some of the amazing handcrafted goods on display at one of the many markets that line the valley.
Having checked in to our hotel, with llama and alpaca roaming free around the grounds and stopping for a cheeky selfie with them, we explored the village. We didn’t take long as it’s only small, but what we saw was fantastic. We loved the area instantly; we did some last-minute shopping for our 4-day hike over the mountains. I even managed to pick up a couple of very trendy water bottle holders, leaving my hands free for the camera.
The only downside to the whole place was when a dog decided that I was the perfect ‘piss post’, meaning I had to wash and dry my jeans quickly before the following morning, otherwise the rest of the hikers and the mountain wildlife would have a shock seeing a half-naked Englishman roaming the Andes.
After a lovely meal and a couple of beers, we headed for our last comfy night sleep for a few days.
The following morning we were up fresh-faced and excited for the hike as we made our way out of the village on a bus. We got dropped at the location and introduced to the Sherpa’s who would be carrying the food, tents and all other forms of luggage that were needed. We instantly found ourselves climbing, we climbed and climbed and by lunchtime, we were almost broken and were passed by an old lady carrying a stack of goods that must have weighed more than me.
We passed Inca ruins as we climbed to our first night's location high in the mountains. After we finally stopped I nearly passed out with the altitude, but after a bit of dinner and a relax, we pulled through.
The evening was a fantastic first night in the tents all laughing and joking around, enjoying the remoteness of where we were but knowing what was ahead too. We had a relatively early night before setting off for days of stunning views, waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, wildlife and sun gates.
The hike was something unbelievable and something I will never forget. Waking up on the side of mountains looking down into the valleys below was phenomenal, walking around the tombs lining the paths and climbing over 4500 meters above sea level was all too special. It is impossible to pick your favourite moment, it all is magical.
The final morning walking back down into the village of Ollantaytambo was such a great feeling and being able to look back on what was an incredible achievement. We were sad to leave the beautiful sacred valley, and the brilliant little village, but we knew what was to come, so it was a bittersweet feeling moving on to our next stop.
So Should I go there?
The village itself was actually very picturesque, with its colourful buildings, snow-capped mountains in the background and the traditional clothing of the locals, all of this topped off with the captivating river running through it. We think that yes, you really should come and see this stunning sacred land.
The main square is a hive of activity, with market stalls, games and sports all adding to a brilliant atmosphere. The village has a good aura as there is a high excitement from the tourists, as the majority are about to embark on a once in a lifetime hike to Machu Picchu.
The vibe also doesn’t disappear in the evenings as the night falls. There are no real bars as such, but the restaurants stay open late enough to relax with a cold beer, enjoying the location and everything that is going on around you.
The valley offers more than just Ollantaytambo with amazing little villages scattered throughout, each with their own take on traditional clothing and ways of life. If you can get to visit some of these other villages or just wander the mountainsides it will be a great experience. The whole valley is staggering and often takes you back with its beauty and charm. This really is worth a visit.
What to do when Backpacking The Sacred Valley
The valley hasn’t got a lot to do, it’s all about getting back to nature and learning the history of the Inca people and the area. With the natural beauty of the mountains, the valleys, the rivers, and the wildlife, you soon come to realise that you don’t need ‘things to do’, as you have this amazing environment to keep you entertained.
There are one or two things however that do stand out, and they are:
The Hikes (Inca Trail and many more)
There are a number of different hikes that you can do in and around the Sacred Valley, but the most famous and prestigious of them all is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This is not something you can just arrive and book on to. This trail has a limited number of passes per year and generally, you will want to book a minimum of 6 months in advance, longer is possible if you want to guarantee a place.
There are many other trails, sone a little more forgiving and some more punishing, but we still recommend you book prior to arriving in Peru. The trails are not for the faint-hearted or unfit, you will climb to altitudes beyond most places in the world. Not only will your lungs have to be fit and healthy, but your mind and body also. If you think you could make it, then book up a trail today. They are special beyond belief and the views and experiences you will get along the way are second to none.
The Inca Ruins in Ollantaytambo
The stunning ruins at the base of the mountains are fantastic to see and wander around. You can see them from the village and the walk will only take you 10 – 15 minutes, so there shouldn’t be any excuses. Due to the location within the valley, this village was a strategic location for the Incas, hence the old fort, which were also areas of high religious importance.
The Markets
As you make your way through the sacred valley, you will come across a number of markets, some just a couple of stalls on the side of the road, some a hysteria of chaos.
Each stall will have handmade unique items made by the villagers and will range from hats to toys, tools to bedding. You may pay more than you suspect for these items, but you are safe in the knowledge that no one else in the world has one. Not only that, but they are carefully and skillfully made by these amazing people using traditional methods. We highly recommend you stop and check out the goods on display when possible.
Where to Stay Whilst Backpacking The Sacred Valley
We are sure there are a number of places to stay in all the villages within the Sacred Valley, we can only really talk about Ollantaytambo as we didn’t stop in the other villages long enough to explore them properly.
Within the village itself, you will not be left out in the cold. There is a wide range of accommodation, from backpacker hostels to classy hotels. We stayed at a cracking little place on the river called Tunupa Lodge. We honestly loved it here, we have such fantastic memories of this place. The views from the gardens are award-winning, looking out to the mountains, the river, the ruins. It is something you never forget, made even more special by sharing my drink with the native wildlife.
The alpaca and llama are such gentle but fun animals to be around and guarantee to make any picture better. The staff were all amazing, so friendly and kind. We really had struck it lucky in this place. The breakfast in the food hall was lovely too, with a good mix of foods, especially when you look at where you are in the world. If you wanted to go to the main square within the village, it was only a short 5-10 minute walk up the river which was perfect. We would book in here again without any doubt.
Where to Eat When Backpacking The Sacred Valley
When it comes to eating in Ollantaytambo, you are in luck. There are a number of restaurants and they serve everything from pizza and pasta to a full English, Mexican to Peruvian. I can recommend the (sorry to say it) alpaca burger, which is absolutely beautiful. The only advice we can give is to try a few places out and to eat a hearty meal, especially if you are about to embark to the mountains.
Where to drink and Party when Backpacking The Sacred Valley
Honestly, this isn’t why we came to the Sacred Valley, and there is no real advice we can give on this subject. There are a few restaurants and even fewer bars within Ollantaytambo. If you were after a session, this isn't the place for you. You can get a cold beer at the restaurants but do not expect a massive nightlife scene in the Valley.
What You'll Need to Blend In
Legs of steel
An outlook where being overtaken by a 90-year-old lady carrying a few kilos of goods, whilst you struggle carrying your camera is not a problem
A spare set of lungs