Private car transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco

You could visit Moray, a stunning example of Incan engineering and agriculture. The series of stepped, concentric circles are a visual marvel, and their historical purpose of agricultural experimentation is a fascinating example of the ingenuity of the Inca.

Or, you might take a detour to the Maras Salt Mines to check out the 1,000-year-old hillside pools designed to cultivate different kinds of salt. The vast arrangement of the pools turns the landscape into an unforgettable geometric pattern, and as the pools are still in use today, you can even buy a bag of salt to bring home (or use when you get to Cusco).

When the city was an Incan capital, it developed rapidly and contributed significantly to religious, cultural, and agricultural movements in the area. The city was home to some of the first symbolic urban compounds, with impressively constructed stone structures dedicated to the royal families as well as to religious and administrative buildings.

The city stands out with sites such as the Temple of the Sun, and other decadently designed structures that showcase the Incan engineering capabilities. After the Spanish conquest, these structures were largely preserved below the construction of new churches and manor houses. The resulting blend of traditions and aesthetics from its time as an Incan powerhouse and as a colonial town has rendered Cusco a vital center of history and culture.

The city is filled with must-see historical and spiritual sites as well as diverse natural wonders and opportunities to witness Peruvian wildlife up close. Many people traveling to Cusco use it as the home base for their trek to Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This remarkable center of religious, political, and cultural activity during the Incan Empire is the pinnacle of travel to Peru.

Cusco is a great place to begin and end your journey to Machu Picchu, as this fascinating city offers plenty of amenities for every kind of traveler, from mountaineers and hikers to history buffs.

Leave time for acclimatization

While Ollantaytambo is already at a considerable altitude, Cusco is another 2,000 feet (609 meters) higher, and you should leave yourself a day or two of downtime upon arrival to allow your body to adjust to the high altitude. This is particularly important for those attempting a trek to Machu Pichu from Cusco, as the added exertion and elevation can become dangerous if you have not had a chance to acclimatize properly.

Consider a private transfer

Choosing a private transfer for your trip from Ollantaytambo to Cusco will give you the most comfortable transportation possible and ensure that you arrive in plenty of time to adjust to the altitude. You will also have the option to stretch your transfer into an unofficial tour by adding sightseeing stops en route, allowing you to see more of the incredible Sacred Valley.

Train from Ollantaytambo to Cusco

There are trains between Ollantaytambo and Cusco, operating out of the Wanchaq station in Cusco. The train is a direct journey that takes around 2 hours and 40 minutes, and travelers will also need to account for the time spent navigating to the station from their accommodation. Tickers for this journey vary depending on how far in advance you book but tend to cost in the range of $45 to $110.

Shuttle from Ollantaytambo to Cusco

There are shuttles along this route that take about 1 hour and 30 minutes, depositing travelers in the Plaza de San Francisco station in Cusco. Tickets can vary widely from $11 to around $65, and travelers will still need to find transportation to and from their accommodation in either city. The shuttles often operate on demand and can carry high last-minute expenses.

Taxi from Ollantaytambo to Cusco

Some visitors to Cusco arrive by taxi, a journey that takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes door-to-door. The fares along this route tend to cost about $35-45 per passenger, depending on the taxi company used. Pickup and dropoff locations may be limited, and taxis can also become overbooked during the busiest travel season.

Private transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco

The best option for many travelers is a private driving transfer with Daytrip, which gives you seamless transportation from door to door in just 1 hour and 40 minutes. You can travel with greater peace of mind with the flexible booking policies and customizability of your itinerary, including departure times and any sightseeing stops you want to add.

This safe, comfortable journey with an English-speaking local driver also offers great value, starting at just $16 per passenger.

Visit Saqsaywaman

This Incan fortress is within about a 30-minute walk from Cusco’s old town. Saqsaywaman is a significant citadel that once stood even taller than it appears today. The fortress was the site of a major battle between the ancient Inca and the invading Spanish in 1536. This is a great place to learn more about the fierce and bloody Spanish conquest that shaped the city of Cusco into its modern image.

Explore the Plaza de Armas

This central square is built on top of what used to be an important Incan gathering place in Cusco’s old town. Plaza de Armas is central to the colonial development of Cusco and is home to the Baroque Spanish buildings of the Cusco Cathedral and the Church La Compania de Jesus.

The square preserved many of the intricately carved Incan walls, and there are still celebrations of the Inca Festival of the Sun and other traditional festivities.

See Qorikancha

This colonial church and convent dedicated to Santo Domingo were constructed on the base of Inca ruins on the site of a formerly rich temple in the Inca empire. The resulting structure is a grandiose combination of Inca and colonial architecture. Qorikancha translates roughly to “Golden Courtyard” in Quechua, as in Inca times, the walls were literally lined with gold sheets.

The area was one used in agricultural rituals, and gold and silver corn statues were found alongside altars and solid gold figurines of llamas and babies. The vast majority of these valuables were looted by the Spanish conquerors and melted down.