English and Spanish-speaking guide
Private tour (only for your group)
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Pickup included
Check the Dates
This exclusive half-day tour from Cusco to Ollantaytambo provides seamless round-trip private transport directly from your hotel. Explore the ancient strategic fortress, admiring the Terrace of the Ten Niches and the incredible stonework of the site. The tour concludes with a visit to the Inca-planned town, where residents still follow traditions inherited from their ancestors.
Highlights:
- Enjoy the convenience of a private Ollantaytambo tour from Cusco, exclusively for your group.
- Explore the site’s military, religious, and agricultural significance with an expert bilingual guide.
- Take in the spectacular view of the entire Valley of the Incas from the summit.
- Marvel at the six massive pink granite monoliths and the famous Terrace of the Ten Niches.
- Climb the 150 steps of the terraces to admire the colossal Temple of the Sun.
- See the well-preserved houses and canals of the Inca town, inhabited since ancient times.
About this tour:
This private Ollantaytambo tour from Cusco is a focused, 5-hour half-day excursion designed to explore one of the most magnificent and historically significant Inca sites in the Sacred Valley. This exclusive trip, conducted only for your group, provides seamless round-trip transport from your Cusco hotel, allowing you to immerse yourself in the military, religious, and agricultural history of this colossal Inca fortress.
Your adventure begins with convenient hotel pickup and a scenic drive of approximately 80 kilometers to the town of Ollantaytambo. The town itself is a remarkable example of Inca urban planning, with narrow, winding streets and houses continuously inhabited since those ancient times. Your professional bilingual guide will lead you to the impressive archaeological complex, which still maintains traditions inherited from its Inca ancestors.
The highlight of the tour is exploring the actual fortress complex. You will venture to climb the approximately 150 steps of the agricultural terraces to reach the summit. Here, you will marvel at the impressive stonework of the Temple of the Sun, which is constructed from six massive monoliths of pink granite, each weighing over 50 tons. You will also see the renowned Terrace of the Ten Niches.
Your guide will explain the site’s strategic military importance, notably where Manco Inca famously defeated the Spanish troops of Hernando Pizarro. The name Ollantaytambo, derived from the Quechua word meaning “place to see down,” accurately describes the spectacular view you will enjoy of the entire Valley of the Incas from the complex. The Cusco to Ollantaytambo tour concludes with a short visit to the town before the private transport returns you directly to your hotel in Cusco’s historic center.
Included:
- Pickup and drop-off in Cusco
- Professional bilingual guide
Essential Information:
- Exclusions: Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC) is NOT included and must be acquired separately. Personal expenses and gratuities are also excluded.
- Not Suitable For: Wheelchair users and unaccompanied minors.
- Not Allowed:
- Recommendations: Bring comfortable shoes/clothes and sunscreen.
Activity provider: LimaTours
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this private Ollantaytambo tour from Cusco include?
This exclusive, 5-hour private tour includes the services of a professional bilingual tour guide who will lead you through the complex and town. The most significant inclusion is seamless, private round-trip transportation, ensuring you are picked up directly from your hotel in Cusco’s historic center and dropped off there upon return.
What is not covered by the tour price?
It is critical to note that the Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC) is NOT included in the tour price and must be acquired separately before visiting the fortress. This ticket is mandatory for entrance to Ollantaytambo. Additionally, personal expenses, meals, and gratuities for your guide and driver are also excluded.
Where and when does this Cusco to Ollantaytambo tour begin?
This private Cusco to Ollantaytambo tour begins with convenient hotel pickup directly from your accommodation located in Cusco’s historic center. The tour duration is approximately 5 hours, covering the scenic drive to the Sacred Valley, the guided exploration of the fortress, and the return drive. Since this is a private tour, the start time can often be customized according to your preference and availability.
Who is this tour not suitable for?
Due to the physical demands of climbing the impressive agricultural terraces, which involve approximately 150 steps, this activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. Furthermore, unaccompanied minors are not permitted to join this private tour.
What should I bring for this tour?
You must remember to bring your Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC), as it is required for entry to the archaeological complex. It is also recommended to wear comfortable clothes and shoes suitable for walking and climbing steps on uneven terrain, and you should bring sunscreen, as the sun at high altitude can be intense.
What is not allowed on this tour?
For the safety and comfort of all participants, pets are strictly not allowed on this private tour. Unaccompanied minors are also prohibited from joining the excursion.
What should I know before joining this half-day tour from Cusco to Ollantaytambo?
You should know that this is a highly focused, 5-hour half-day trip that concentrates solely on the Ollantaytambo site and its adjacent town, making it an excellent option if you are short on time. Because the site is located 80 kilometers from Cusco, the seamless, private transportation provided is key to making this half-day itinerary efficient. Remember that you must already possess the Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC) to gain entrance to the main fortress complex.
What will I experience during this Ollantaytambo tour from Cusco?
This private tour transports you away from the city and into the stunning Sacred Valley, where the town of Ollantaytambo serves as a rare, living example of ancient Inca urban planning. You will explore its narrow, winding streets, which have been continuously inhabited since the time of the Incas, and see the traditional houses and canals that preserve their Tahuantinsuyo-era architecture and traditions.
The primary focus of the excursion is the colossal fortress complex, where you will climb the approximately 150 steps of the agricultural terraces to reach the strategically important summit. Here, you will stand before the magnificent Temple of the Sun, marveling at the six huge, precisely cut monoliths of pink granite, and admire the famous Terrace of the Ten Niches. Your guide will detail the site’s military significance, including the famous battle where Manco Inca achieved victory over the Spanish forces, all while you take in the spectacular views of the entire Valley of the Incas.