Is it Worth Visiting the Inca Ruins of Ollantaytambo
Is it Worth Visiting the Inca Ruins of Ollantaytambo?
When planning a trip to Peru, many travelers focus solely on Machu Picchu, often missing other incredible sites in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. One of these must-visit spots is the Inca Ruins of Ollantaytambo. After my visit, I can confidently say that Ollantaytambo is absolutely worth seeing, offering a glimpse into the Inca history and architecture that rivals even Machu Picchu.
I visited the Ollantaytambo ruins during a two-day tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here, I’ll share my experience exploring Temple Hill, the Wall of Six Monoliths, and the intriguing Inca storehouses that still dot the mountainside. I also have a separate page that has a full overview of my Sacred Valley tour.
Is it Worth Visiting the Inca Ruins of Ollantaytambo? - Table of Contents
- Is it Worth Visiting the Inca Ruins of Ollantaytambo?
- About the Inca Ruins of Ollantaytambo
- The Face of Viracocha in the Mountain
- Climbing to the Top of Temple Hill and the “Inca Sofa”
- The Wall of the Six Monoliths
- Exiting Ollantaytambo
- Ollantaytambo Tours and Packages
- Support Buzzin’ Around the World – Visit Our Affiliates
- Earning Points and Rewards
- Related Content
Disclaimer: Buzzin’ Around the World strives to provide accurate and up-to-date information based on our research at the time of publication. We respect all applicable laws and fair use principles. If you believe any information is incorrect or violates regulations, please contact us at buzzinaroundtheworld@gmail.com.
Affiliate Links and Reviews: We use affiliate links to generate income and may receive a commission at no additional cost to you when you use our links. We strive for honest and transparent reviews, even for products which we receive compensation.
Content Creation: Our content is based on our own travel experiences. All photos are our own unless otherwise stated. We sometimes utilize AI tools to assist with tasks like generating titles, summarizing content, and improving organization.
For more information: For more information, please click HERE to visit our private policy page. We can be reached at buzzinaroundtheworld@gmail.com.
About the Inca Ruins of Ollantaytambo
The Ollantaytambo ruins are one of the best-preserved examples of Inca architecture, even more impressive than the Inca Ruins of Pisac. If you have limited time and must choose, Ollantaytambo would be my recommendation. The site features grand agricultural terraces, intricate stonework, and the Temple Hill area, which is home to the famous Wall of Six Monoliths. Across from the ruins, on a nearby mountainside, is an Inca storehouse, a testament to the ingenuity of the Inca people in preserving their food supplies.
Our guide, Alberto, shared stories about the Inca Empire and explained how the ruins and the mountains across from them were of great significance. No one knows exactly how the Ollantaytambo complex was built, especially since the nearest stone quarry is about 15 kilometers away—a mystery that adds to the allure of this site.
The Face of Viracocha in the Mountain
Conquered by the Incas in the 1400s, Ollantaytambo was transformed into the estate of Pachacuti, a powerful Inca ruler. Looking up towards the mountain, you can see the carved face of Viracocha, a creator deity revered by the Inca. Just to the right of this face is Pinkuylluna, an Inca storehouse built to preserve food grown on the terraces.
Climbing Temple Hill and the Inca Sofa
After Alberto’s fascinating introduction, we began our climb up the terraces to reach the top of Temple Hill. This area offers a closer view of the Wall of Six Monoliths. Due to the high elevation, the climb was challenging, and I found myself stopping frequently to catch my breath.
At the top, Alberto proudly pointed out the “Inca Sofa,” a stone that resembles a bench and offers a view of the valley below. This area also contains unfinished structures, with several massive stones partially cut and abandoned mid-construction.
The Wall of Six Monoliths: An Architectural Wonder
The Wall of Six Monoliths is the crown jewel of Ollantaytambo. Built without mortar, this wall is engineered to withstand earthquakes, with each massive stone perfectly aligned.
According to Alberto, the monoliths once featured religious symbols, but these were destroyed by the Spanish, who sought to eliminate elements they deemed non-Christian.
Exiting the Ollantaytambo Ruins
Our visit ended before we could explore the entire site, including the area modified by the Spanish. To exit, we walked down the terraces, navigating steep stairs—an added challenge due to my large shoe size. Afterward, we boarded the bus, and those of us continuing to Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes) split off from the rest of the group heading back to Cusco.
Tours of Ollantaytambo, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu
If you’re planning a trip to Ollantaytambo and the Sacred Valley, there are many tour options available, from a two-week trek on the Inca Trail to shorter one-day excursions. Below, I’ve listed a few recommended tours and packages. Please note that as a Viator affiliate, I receive a small commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.
 Ultimate Machu Picchu: Trek the Salkantay trail to Machu Picchu - $1,790.00 ULTIMATE MACHU PICCHU |
 4 day Inca Jungle trek to Machu Picchu - Cycling, Water Rafting, Zipline - $897.44 Explore and experience the best of the Inca Jungle on your way to Machu Picchu with this exclusive 4-day adventure trip that combines Trekking, Mountain Biking, Rafting and Zipline before reaching Machu Picchu, the highlight of the trip. This tour is considered by some as even better than the Inca Trail because of all the additional activities you will do along the way as you hike through beautiful landscapes and cross rivers. |
 2-Day Trip Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu by Train - $1000.00 Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu by train 2 days 1 night, is an perfect itinerary highly recommended, Avoid spending the whole day rushing around. This 2 day tour will let you climb Huayna Picchu Mountain and enjoy Machu Picchu. Begins and finishes at your hotel in Cuzco. |
 Day Tour To Machu Picchu From Cusco - $389.67 -We pick up from all the hotels in Cusco and Sacred Valley |
 Machu Picchu By Car (2 Days) - $185.08 We offer a unique and authentic experience. We a fully locally owned tour operating company with years of experience. We are determined to make our customer's experience a memorable one. |
 2 Days Direct Train to Machu Picchu via Ollantaytambo - $418.67 This 2 Days Direct Train to Machu Picchu allows you to get a direct connection to Aguas Calientes from Cusco. You will have a three hour relaxing train ride with a no rush departure option from Cusco. You may choose a late morning pickup, noon or early afternoon. Your final destination is Aguas Calientes where you will spend your first and only night before visiting Machu Picchu the following day. Be one of the first to visit the spectacular Machu Picchu citadel and take in the spectacular views. |
 2 Days - Sacred Valley + Machu Picchu (PRIVATE TOUR) - $450.00 The Sacred Valley of the Incas is the most popular route in Peru. Since it was a crucial area for the Inca empire and that functioned as an agricultural, spiritual and political center. During the tour we will appreciate beautiful landscapes and Inca and Pre-Inca archaeological sites, in the afternoon we will take the train from ollantaytambo to aguas calientes. Note: if you are already in the city of Cusco it is recommended to make this tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas to contribute to its acclimatization since it is at a lower altitude. VISITS: Pisaq, Ollantaytambo, Urubamba Machu Picchu AVAILABILITY: Every day TOUR DURATION: 8:30 am to 6:30 pm. FREQUENCY: All year |
 Machu Picchu By Train From Poroy (1 Day) - $400.00 For many visitors to Peru and even South America, a visit to the Inca city of Machu Picchu is the long-anticipated highpoint of their trip. In a spectacular location, it’s the best-known archaeological site on the continent. This awe-inspiring ancient city was never revealed to the conquering Spaniards and was virtually forgotten until the early part of the 20th century. |
Buzzin' Around the World's Affiliate Partners
Affiliate Partner of the Month - Viator
Viator is my favorite website for booking tours and packages. With over 300,000 unique tours to choose from, everyone should be able to find something on Viator that interests them. I like Viator because anytime I have an issue with a tour company, Viator has intervened and helped on my behalf. I highly recommend using Viator for booking your tours and vacation packages.
Book Through the Link Below to Help Buzzin' Around the World Earn Commission
Earn $200 in Travel Rewards with the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card is one of the few rewards cards that does not charge an annual fee. Cardholders can earn 1.25 points for every dollar spent while enjoying 0% APR for 15 months.
Currently, Capital One is offering a signup bonus of 20,000 points (worth $200 in travel rewards) when the cardholder spends $500 in the first three months. If you are interested in this card, I would appreciate it if you would sign up with the link below, as I earn a referral bonus of 10,000 points. Those points are worth $100 in travel rewards and will help me continue to bring great content to Buzzin’ Around the World.
Once again, the Capital One VentureOne card is one of the few reward cards without an annual fee and is the perfect card for someone who is just starting to get into the travel points game.
Related Content
Cusco, Rainbow Mountain, and Palccoyo