Planning a Trip

Getting There

By Train -- Ollantaytambo lies midway on the Cusco-Machu Picchu train route. All trains traveling to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) from Cusco stop first at Ollantaytambo. Trains depart Cusco from Estación San Pedro, Calle Cascaparo s/n (tel. 084/221-352 or 084/221-313), and arrive in Ollantaytambo 90 minutes later. The train station in Ollantaytambo is a long 15-minute walk from the main square. To and from Machu Picchu, trains take roughly 1 1/2 hours. The Backpacker shuttle ($31-$43/£16-£22 adults one-way; $62-$86/£31-£43 round-trip) departs Ollantaytambo starting at 5:45am, with the last train leaving for Machu Picchu at 5:55pm. Coming back, the first train leaves at 5:45am and the last at 8:40pm. The slightly more upscale Vistadome Valle train ($43-$60/£22-£30 adults one-way; $86-$120/£43-£60 round-trip) departs Ollantaytambo beginning at 6:40am, with the last train leaving at 4:05pm. The first Backpacker leaves Machu Picchu for Ollantaytambo at 8:30am and the last at 6:55pm. Visit www.perurail.com.

By Bus -- The easiest way to Ollantaytambo is to catch a combi or colectivo from Cusco to Urubamba (S/4, or $1.30/70p) and transfer at the terminal there to a frequent combi (S/3 or $1/50p) for Ollanta (30 min.). Buses drop passengers at the Plaza de Armas in the old town, about a kilometer (1/2-mile) from the ruins.

By Taxi -- Taxis between Ollantaytambo and Cusco generally charge about S/90 ($30/£15) each way.

Visitor Information

You're better off getting information on the Sacred Valley before leaving Cusco, either at the main Tourist Information Office (tel. 084/263-176), Av. El Sol 103, or at Cusco's branch of the South American Explorers Club (tel. 084/245-484). In Ollantaytambo, try the Museo CATCCO, located off Calle Principal (tel. 084/223-627), for assistance. Your best bet for exchanging cash in Ollantaytambo is in small shops. If you need medical assistance, go to Centro de Salud, Calle Principal (tel. 084/204-090). The post office is on the Plaza de Armas.

When Not to Go

The Inca ruins at Ollantaytambo are often overrun with tourists doing the bus tour of the Sacred Valley on Sunday afternoons, typical market day. The ruins are so special and so enjoyably serene on other days that if you can't get there early in the morning on Sunday, it's worthwhile visiting another day, if you can.