Ollantaytambo Day Trip: Unveiling the Mysteries of Machu Picchu

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by Nathan

March 30, 2024 · 1 min read

Ollantaytambo 1 Day Itinerary

Embark on a captivating one-day journey to the heart of the Inca empire with our Ollantaytambo itinerary. Your adventure begins at the iconic Inca City of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage site nestled high in the Andes. Spend your day immersed in the mystique of this ancient city, exploring its well-preserved ruins and breathtaking landscapes. After soaking in the grandeur of Machu Picchu, continue to The Temple of the Sun, a historic site revered for its intricate stonework and alignment with astronomical events. With one hour at this sacred temple, you'll have the chance to witness the precision and skill of Incan architecture up close. This day trip is not just a tour; it's a journey back in time to one of the world's most awe-inspiring civilizations.

Top 6 Hotels in Ollantaytambo
TOP 1
Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco
Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco
hotelStar
5/5
71 reviews
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TOP 2
Hilton Garden Inn Cusco
Hilton Garden Inn Cusco
hotelStar
4/5
121 reviews
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TOP 3
JW Marriott El Convento Cusco
JW Marriott El Convento Cusco
hotelStar
5/5
100 reviews
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Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Valle Sagrado
Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Valle Sagrado
hotelStar
5/5
41 reviews
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Sanctuary Lodge, A Belmond Hotel, Machu Picchu
Sanctuary Lodge, A Belmond Hotel, Machu Picchu
hotelStar
5/5
63 reviews
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Inti Punku Machupicchu Hotel & Suites
Inti Punku Machupicchu Hotel & Suites
hotelStar
3/5
70 reviews
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Itinerary at a Glance
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Day 1: Mystical Machu Picchu and the Temple of the Sun

1

Inca City of Machu Picchu

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Kickstart your one-day adventure by stepping into the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this ancient city is nestled high in the Andes Mountains of Peru. Spend your day unraveling the mysteries of this archaeological wonder, from the intricate stonework to the panoramic views that will leave you breathless. As you wander through the remains of temples, palaces, and terraces, imagine the bustling life that once filled these ruins. Machu Picchu is not just a site to visit; it's an experience that will transport you back in time.

Attraction Info

  • 08680, Peru
  • Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 day

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Restaurant Centenario Of Machupicchu
Restaurant Centenario Of Machupicchu
/5 · 0 reviews
2.3 km from attraction
Cafe Restaurant Bijao
Cafe Restaurant Bijao
/5 · 0 reviews
2.4 km from attraction
Kinwa - Restaurant
Kinwa - Restaurant
5/5 · 5 reviews
2.4 km from attraction
Bistrot Le P'tit Paris
Bistrot Le P'tit Paris
/5 · 0 reviews
2.4 km from attraction
Tinkuy Restaurant
Tinkuy Restaurant
/5 · 0 reviews
0.7 km from attraction
Ylla Fusion
Ylla Fusion
/5 · 0 reviews
2.3 km from attraction
0.02 km
2

The Temple of the Sun

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After immersing yourself in the grandeur of Machu Picchu, make your way to the revered Temple of the Sun. This historic site is a testament to the Inca's architectural prowess and astronomical knowledge. Spend an hour marveling at the precision of the stonework, which is perfectly aligned with the sun's position during the winter solstice. The Temple of the Sun offers a profound glimpse into the spiritual and ceremonial life of the Incas, making it a must-visit to complete your journey through this sacred city.

Attraction Info

  • Machu Pichu, peru
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
4.5/563 Reviews
4.5/5Excellent63 Reviews
Urubamba
|0.39km from The Temple of the Sun
5/56 Reviews
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Aguas Calientes
|2.11km from The Temple of the Sun
4.4/589 Reviews
4.4/5Excellent89 Reviews
Aguas Calientes
|2.17km from The Temple of the Sun
4.5/564 Reviews
4.5/5Excellent64 Reviews
Aguas Calientes
|2.22km from The Temple of the Sun

Top Things to Do in Ollantaytambo-2024

TOP 1
Inca City of Machu Picchu
Inca City of Machu Picchu
4.7/5 · 182 review
Highlights:
Machu Picchu means "ancient mountain" in the Chichuan language, and is also known as "the lost city of the Inca". This ancient city was abandoned by the Inca Empire. It was built in the middle of the 15th century and is located at an altitude of about 2350 meters. Because of its unique location in the Andes Mountains, it was not discovered until the beginning of the 20th century and became widely known.
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TOP 2
Plaza Ollantaytambo
Plaza Ollantaytambo
4.5/5 · 41 review
Highlights:
Ouyantai is a town not to be missed in the Sacred Valley. There is the Temple of the Sun at Ouyantai, the larger and more majestic Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley, and because most trains to Machu Picchu depart from here, many tourists choose to stay overnight here. Aside from the Inca ruins and Machu Picchu, Ouyantai itself is still a very flavorful town, even with the rush of tourists. Located in a valley, the layout of the town is similar to that of a city during the Inca period. The streets paved with boulders and the narrow alleys with no access to cars are ideal for wandering aimlessly. Cute animal statues are often seen on the roofs of town residents. Before the Incas built their houses, they prayed to PanchaMama, the mother earth, and these figurines represent the current blessings of the earth.
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TOP 3
Saqsaywaman
Saqsaywaman
4.5/5 · 35 review
Highlights:
This huge stone circle overlooks the city of Cusco. Like other typical Inca buildings, the Incas did not use any reinforced concrete. They used exquisite stone grinding technology to grind the large stones into specific shapes, and then put them together tightly. The stone circles that tourists see now are only a small part of the original ones. Today Sacsayhuaman is not only a must-see attraction for tourists to Cusco, but the highlight of IntiRaymi, the grand festival of the sun at the end of June every year, is held here.
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TOP 4
Qorikancha
Qorikancha
4.5/5 · 23 review
Highlights:
The Temple of the Sun is a sacred place in the Inca Empire, built during the reign of the great emperor Pachacuti in the history of the Inca civilization, dedicated to the sun god Inti.
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TOP 5
The Temple of the Sun
The Temple of the Sun
4.6/5 · 56 review
Highlights:
This temple, built on top of a small cave, is the epitome of the ancient Incas' astronomy and architecture. The Temple of the Sun has a semi-circular shape that captures the movement of the sun due to its unique location and structure. At the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere on June 21 every year, the sun shines directly into the center of a large granite rock in the center of the temple through a small trapezoidal window. Astronomers and archaeologists speculate that this granite functioned as an Inca calendar. If you look out from this window in the temple, those who know more about constellations will notice the Pleiades, the constellation that represents a good harvest. In addition, some archaeologists speculate that the cave below the Temple of the Sun (Royal Tomb) once stored the mummy of Pachacútec, the ruler of the history of the Inca civilization. But Hiram Bingham found no mummy or human bone remains in the cave when he came here in 1919.
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* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

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Ollantaytambo 1 Day Itinerary