Ollantaytambo, Peru

The terraces of Ollantaytambo

After visiting Machu Picchu, we had decided to stop off in Ollantaytambo, another important Incan site, for a couple of days before we returning to Cusco. On this leg of our trip, the PeruRail train service was even fancier than before (the Vistadome train vs the Expedition).  We had a nice lunch and drinks, followed by entertainment including a red-haired "Sagra" that danced around the train car, followed by a fashion show of alpaca sweaters.  

Preparing to leave Aguas Calientes (gateway to Machu Picchu) by train

Creepy but festive "Sagra" character entertains us with his dancing and antics on the train.

We hopped off the train in Ollantaytambo in sunny warm weather.  We checked out a few different hotel options and ended up at the very cute Wayra’s Hostal, between the train station and the main town, which was about a 10-minute walk.  The hotel is run by a couple with two young kids, and it was a great value and comfortable place to stay for our family. We walked into town and explored some of the narrow alleyways, then found a sidewalk cafe overlooking the main square for some dinner.

View of the rushing Patakancha River below our hotel window.

Ancient alley in Ollantaytambo

Festive alley decorations, with the main square beyond.  Sully does Tai Chi?  Or throws a rock.

The next day we made the short walk to the ruins at Ollantaytambo.  We enjoyed the stroll/hike through; the weather was so nice, and there many lovely photos to take.  The Inca emperor Pachacuti built Ollantaytambo in the mid-15th century after conquering and razing the original town. This was one of his royal estates, in addition to Machu Picchu. Ollantaytambo sits at about 9200 feet in elevation, midway between Cusco (11,200 ft) and Machu Picchu (8000 ft). During the Incan rebellion against the Spanish in 1536, Ollantaytambo was an important headquarters.  Once when the Spanish attacked, the Incas had rigged the river to flood the plains where the Spanish were, almost succeeding in drowning them.  

Heading up to the ruins

Peeking down on the town of Ollantaytambo below

Lots of stonework, still in excellent shape.

Love that Incan stone work, so impressive.

Fantastic blind harpist/ singer.  His music was mesmerizing.

After a lunch snack back at our new favorite restaurant at the main square, we hiked up to the other smaller ruins to the south.  Nik and I were a bit worried about losing a child off the side of the hill, but fortunately they all survived.  We learned later that the stacked ruins above were storehouses; it was cooler up higher to preserve the harvests and also easier to protect from invaders.   

Inca storehouses high in the hills

View of main Ollantaytambo ruins, from the south set of ruins.

The next morning we hitched a ride with a colectivo (shared van) back to Cusco.  It was a very fast hour and a half ride, along the same scenic route we had enjoyed by bus a few days before.

Corn higher than Nik's eye, in January!?

Rooftop bulls - a common and whimsical sight in Peru.
They are thought to protect and bring good fortune to the household.