A Day in Ollantaytambo

Whether you're travelling to Machu Picchu by bus, car or train from Cusco, you will pass through Ollantaytambo (pronounced Oh-Jahn-Tie-Tahm-Boh), which is more than just a charming little alpine town, it is often considered the heart of the Sacred Valley, so is worth exploring for a day.

I was fortunate enough to find a private room at the Hostal Descanso that was a five minute walk from the town center.

Although I was hesitant at first, I decided to try one of La Serranita Restaurant's popular dishes known as cuy, or guinea pig. Yes, Andean folk love eating guinea pigs and they're delicious!

I didn't know guinea pig was such a popular dish in Peru, so I decided to go on a short tour of the farm where you'll see their unique little huts the owners have built for them that look like doll houses.

If you don't mind a ten minute stroll out of town, it is worth visiting the El Albergue Farm, where they grow organic crops, run a coffee roastery and a distillery where I spent the afternoon sampling some unique Sacred Valley spirits such as the pisco and cañazo whilst seeing where they come from!

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I thought I better get myself prepared for Machu Picchu, so I decided to hike up to the Pinkuylluna Granaries that are built up on the mountains that surround the town.

The trek is steep and demands a good level of fitness, but is definitely worth it, especially as it is free to walk up there and explore the old buildings that were once used by Incas to store dry food and textiles.

Their elevated location was strategic, allowing the wind to flow through the openings and naturally cool the contents inside.

If you have some extra time after exploring Machu Picchu, consider a trek to the Pumamarca Ruins, which are six hours by foot from Ollantaytambo in a very peaceful mountain valley.