El Albergue - Ollantaytambo - Bed & Breakfast

The beauty and fertility of Ollantaytambo have attracted people here for millennia. Ollantaytambo was built as an Inca retreat village and although other cultures inhabited the area before the Incas, all made most of the valleys fertile ground. The Inca went as far as channeling the Vilcanota river, and managed to terrace almost every inch of the Urubamba valley, otherwise known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

During the conquest, the Spaniards lost their only battle in Ollantaytambo but eventually managed to take hold of the valley and established the large hacienda holdings which have only recently passed to the hands of small farmers.

Today Ollantaytambo is a living record of its past and the people are the heirs to the wealth of culture and tradition that has accumulated over time. The village's everyday life is a constant reminder of times past as people continue to live in the homes that the Incas built and harvest the same terraces that they inherited from them. Today travelers continue to visit, relax and learn in Ollantaytambo. The many and diverse things to do in and around the historic village are worthy of a vacation on their own. Just as the Inca did, all travelers will appreciate Ollantaytambo as the resting point before departure to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.

• We recommend

Visit the Ollantaytambo Museum for an excellent introduction to the town, its history, traditions and culture.
In the town, walk down the Inca streets and visit the local craftsmen in the canchas, homes that are still inhabited much in the same way as the Inca Ayllus who once lived in them.
Visit the Inca fortress and temple which contain some of the area's finest stone work.
The Patacancha river climbs up its namesake valley, home to a number of small Quechua Indian communities. The people of the Patacancha valley claim a direct lineage to Inca ancestors, and continue ancient weaving and agricultural practices.
River Raft the "Vilcanota" river.
Horse Back riding.
Mountain Biking.
Short walks down Inca path ways between the terraced corn and potato fields (both maize and potatoes trace their origins to the Andes of Peru), and along the riverside.
Here is a list of day hikes you may consider during your stay here in Ollantaytambo.
- Pumamarka small pre-inca ruins
- Inca quarries at Cachicata
- Hike up the mountain of Pinkulluna and visit the Qollqas (Inca store houses)
- Hike to the Maras Salt Mines

• Calendar

01 January: Sincuy, is the traditional bowling competition held between Ollantaytambo authorities and the newly elected mayors of the highland indigenous communities. Foreigners are welcome to participate as well.
05 - 07 January: Epiphany is also the date on which we celebrate the visit of the patron saint of Marcacocha. Festivities include processions, dances, bullfight and the amazing presentation Wallata dancers.
February, movible feast: During Carnival we also celebrate compadres and comadres at the Marcacocha chapel.
April Movable feast: Holly Week "Semana Santa."
01 - 03 May: Cruzvelakuy, is the festival of the cross, neighbors light candles at their nearby chapels.
15 May: San Isidro, patron saint of all farmers.
May/June movible feast: The Patron Saint of Ollantaytambo is the Sr. de Choquekillka, this is our largest festival and includes dances, bullfight, processions and more.
21 June: Solstice, is the time to observe the sun as it passes through the Pyramid of Pakaritampu, reenacting the myth of Inca origin.
29 June: Theatrical presentation of the Quechua drama Ollantay held within the Ollantaytambo archaeological sight.
15 - 17 July: Festival of the virgin of Carmen held in Pisaq, Yanahuara and Rumira.
28 July: Independence day parade.
14 August: Swearing in of the Varayoc Mayors in Marcacocha.
15 August: Festival for Virgen Asunta in Calca and Maras.
30 August: Santa Rosa de Lima celebrated in Lamay.
28 - 29 October: Anniversary of Ollantaytambo
01 November: All Saints day.
02 November: Day of the Dead celebrations in the graveyard.
November: Pachamama Raymi, festival for mother Herat in Huilloc
08 December: Virgen of the immaculate conception in Wairaqpuncu y Pachar.
24 December: Midnight mass.
25 December: Christmas.
31 December: New Year’s Eve.