Ollantaytambo (great name!)

As we had applied too late for the Classic Inca Trail (we applied in August and the permits were all used up until Nov!) we had been looking into alternatives treak to Machu Picchu but as the situation with the flat was getting worse we thought we should save some pennies and DIY. So we packed our day bags and headed to Ollantaytambo, a town 60 kilometers northwest of Cusco and a starting point for some of the treks.

Ollantaytambo was the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti who conquered the region, built the town and a ceremonial center. The ceremonial center is the main tourist attraction... it was pretty amazing but not a patch on Pisac, although it did have a pretty little river flowing through and a couple of lamas! After climbing the steep steps of the site and being blown about in the strong wind I was ready for a shower, so I was over the moon when we found a hostal with lots of hot water (the first proper one in three days).

After walking round the main square and gasping at the prices of the food, which was all priced up for the numerous tourists, we found a little resturant serving up Cena to the locals for 4 soles (75p) so we slurped on lovely warm soup, munched on a main of rice, potatoes and a sort of stew and washed it down with hot honey and lemon tea.

We were booked on the train to Machu Picchu at 5.37am so after dinner we were happy to go to bed. Neither of us slept very wel,l in fear of not waking up in time, so at 4.30am we were up and getting dressed ready for our Machu Picchu adventure!


The fort towers above the main village

Here you can see the village at the bottom

The cobbled streets have been inhabited for over 700 years

Part of the greenery between the village and the fort

Tim trying to play with a Lama