Inca Trail - Ollantaytambo

Welcome to the town of Ollantaytambo, where you will begin your mountainous journey to Machu Picchu. Surrounded by mountains, Ollantaytambo is located at the end of the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas. Conquered and razed by Emperor Pachacuti in the mid-15th century, the area was incorporated into his personal estate. Pachacuti rebuilt the town and constructed an extensive set of agricultural terraces that were farmed by yanacunas (servants of the nobility). Up on the hill overlooking Ollantaytambo are the ruins of Pinkuylluna storehouses. Thought to have been built during Pachacuti’s reign, the structures were used to store the grain produced from the surrounding terraces. Building the storehouses high was both practical and strategic. The high altitude preserved the food due to cooler conditions and high wind, whilst the location protected the food stores in case of an attack. The starting location is near the Ollantaytambo train station known as Km82. Crossing the Urubamba River the trail follows alongside the river before it commences a steep climb to the lost city of Llactapata. Re-discovered in 2003 using infrared aerial photography, Llactapata sits at the top of a steep slope amongst a small chain of ravines. Archaeological studies concluded that Llactapata was an important rest stop and roadside shrine on the journey to Machu Picchu.