Luxury holidays in Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo may be often overlooked in favour of its wondrous western neighbour, Machu Picchu, but this small Peruvian town is emerging from the Sacred Valley’s shadows in its own right. Set along the famed Inca Trail, the pre-Hispanic ruins are frequently the first – and only – stop here, but stick around for days hiking Pumamarca, perusing Pinkuylluna and evenings spent huddled around the pachamanca (a traditional Andean barbecue, where local meats, fava beans and humitas are grilled over hot stones) and sipping Peruvian pisco sours – or perhaps a chicha morada for the littler Smiths (a sweet mixture of corn, pineapple peel, cinnamon and quince)…
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When to go

The driest season is between May and September, and though you’ll likely see herds heading to Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo is relatively quiet year round. For a dose of local Cuscan culture, visit seven weeks after Easter, when the annual Señor de Choquekillka festival fills the town.

Getting there

  • Planes

    Flying to Ollantaytambo from Europe often requires two layovers – one in the US and another in Peru’s international Jorge Chávez airport – before landing in Cusco, a 90-minute drive from the town’s centre.

  • Trains

    There’s a direct train from Ollantaytambo’s station to Machu Picchu, which usually takes around half an hour.

  • Automobiles

    Peruvian roads are a little risky unless you’re a local, but if you’re feeling brave, there are rental booths at Cusco’s airport.