Or, you can choose to stop and visit the mysterious “Bath of Inca” at Tambomachay, where you can witness the still-flowing aqueducts that demonstrate the incredible engineering prowess of this ancient civilization.

If you prefer a more direct route, the Daytrip private car service is still the best option for swiftly and safely getting from Cusco to Ollantaytambo.

Now, the town is a testament to the longevity of Inca creations. Visitors can witness the original irrigation infrastructure in action, as it’s still used today throughout the town and in the surrounding fields. Further, the layout of the town and even some of its guarding walls are original to its settlement centuries ago.

In addition to offering some of the best-preserved Peruvian ruins, the town carries a storied history as the site of resistance against Spanish invasion during the 16th century. Throughout its history, the town also served as a major linking point for the entire Inca Empire, and its lower elevation made it a key stopover along several important transportation and communication routes.

Similarly, today, many travelers will also often use Ollantaytambo as a stopover or “base camp” for visits to Machu Picchu, which is conveniently about 90 minutes from the town by train. The town offers a comfortable respite for travelers and a chance to learn more about the local Quechua communities, complete with traditional Andean architecture and glimpses of the lasting customs.

Enjoy the calmer markets

While in Ollantaytambo, there are a series of markets outside of the gates to the archaeological preserves that are very similar to the ones in Cusco. These markets offer many of the same items but tend to be much less crowded in the smaller town environment, so it can be a great opportunity for calmer and sometimes cheaper traditional shopping.

Train from Cusco to Ollantaytambo

The train route from Cusco to Ollantaytambo leaves from Cusco’s Wanchaq station, which you may first need to take a bus to, depending on the location of your accommodation. Tickets vary but range from about $45 to $110 (170-417 Sol). The trains take around 2.5 hours to cover the distance, with scheduled departures twice a day.

Taxi from Cusco to Ollantaytambo

There are taxis from Cusco to Ollantaytambo (and from the airport in Cusco for those on flights heading straight to Ollantaytambo, with journeys starting around $35 to $50 (133-189 Sol). Keep in mind that the costs can vary widely depending on the taxi company.

Private car service from Cusco to Ollantaytambo

The best way to get from Cusco to Ollantaytambo is to opt for a private driving transfer, as this will give you the benefits of door-to-door transportation directly to your accommodation in Ollantaytambo. With Daytrip, you will be accompanied by a local, English-speaking driver and be helped with your luggage in both destinations. As an added bonus – this travel option starts at just $16 (61 Sol) per seat.

Sample Peruvian specialties in ChocoMueso

This unique shop features a range of unique Peruvian artisanal chocolate, handcrafted “from bean to bar.” Here, you can even tour the entire process and try your hand at making your very own Peruvian chocolate in one of the workshops. These can be great souvenirs, and the process itself is a methodical journey into the past.

Visit Moray

This fascinating archaeological site sits high above the Sacred Valley on a plateau and appears to be a series of terraces taking the shape of concentric circles. This area was most likely used for agricultural research, where the rising terraces each had a different temperature and could best be used to cultivate different plants.

Research suggests that the Incas were able to grow over 250 varieties of vegetables in these terraces using complex hydraulic irrigation techniques.

Hike to the Pinkuylluna Incan Storehouses

These Incan storehouses overlook the Ollantaytambo ruins and require visitors to hike up a moderately steep path up the mountain. Depending on fitness levels and conditions, this can take travelers anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes, and the views from the top are certainly worth the effort.