Peru Travel: Top 3 Ollantaytambo Hotels

Read about hotel options in Ollantaytambo in Peru. This Inca City is a perfect launch point for adventures in the Sacred Valley.  

Ollantaytambo is a small town in the Sacred Valley, midway between Cusco and Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Village). Most travelers to Machu Picchu do not consider a stop here, but it is an ideal location for travelers who wish to acclimatize at lower altitude, spend additional time in the Sacred Valley, or simply break up the trip from Cusco to Machu Picchu.

The Hotel Pakaritampu is a solid 4 star option. It is located along the railroad tracks, a few meters from the train station, and has views of the ruins at Ollantaytambo. Guests at this hotel can enjoy the onsite restaurant Mijuna Wasi, which features novoandina cuisine;  it also serves a buffet lunch. For evening relaxation, Pakaritampu has a bar serving excellent cocktails. The hotel has 37 guest rooms and also a suite for those seeking a tad more luxury.

The 3 star El Albergue is in an excellent location for travelers wishing to have immediate access to the train station, which is connected the property. This hotel has a long history in Ollantaytambo. It opened in 1923, the first hotel in town known at that time as the Santa Rosa Hotel. After a period of closure, it re-opened in 1976 under the new name. The word albergue means refuge in Spanish and this small hotel with 16 rooms, all decorated with Andean textiles, provides just that. The hotel is surrounded by gardens within which guests will see typical examples of Andean flora. Guests can also enjoy selections from the restaurant’s menu which features local ingredients or stop in at the adjacent to grab a snack. 

Further from the train station (a 10 minute walk away) but closer to the ruins and to the town’s main plaza, Hostal Sauce is a rustic but comfortable option for travelers who plan to undertake extended exploration of the Sacred Valley. Guests can head to the lobby to warm up by the fireplace when temperatures drop in the Sacred Valley.

All of the above hotels offer a box lunch for travelers continuing on to Machu Picchu. The cost is usually under 20 Soles and the contents can be negotiated upon order.

Ollantaytambo is one and a half hours by train from Machu Picchu and it is close to the start of the Inca Trail at Kilometer 77. The town is worthy of exploration as it is an original Inca city, continually inhabited since the 14th century and boasts a spectacular set of ruins believed to have had a defensive function as well as ceremonial and astronomical functions. There are excellent hiking options near town, and biking, rafting, and horse riding tours can be easily arranged by visiting operators located on the main plaza.

Article Tags: Machu Picchu

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