Ollantaytambo (day 9)

Monday we decided to get out of Cusco and head to Ollantaytambo, an Inca city and fortress in the Sacred Valley.

We started out at Jack's Cafe for breakfast (decent breakfast food, terrible coffee). Breakfast cost about s/20.

We then walked down to Av. Grau to catch the bus to Urubamba (3 soles, 1.5 hours). The bus depot is mid-block on the first block of Grau, on the left side next to the colegio. This bus also stops at Chinchero on the way to Urubamba. At Urubamba, we crossed through the bus depot (last stop) and caught a combi (passenger van) to Ollantaytambo (1 sol, 20 minutes). By the time we got to Ollantaytambo it was like a clown car (they kept picking people up on the way).

The ruins are a short walk from the Plaza de Armas. It costs/40 for this site alone, or s/70 for a combination ticket to multiple sites in Cusco and around.

View of Ollantaytambo from the town of the same name:

Agricultural terracing with a temple above (never finished, and turned into a fortress once the Spanish arrived):


We had read in our guide book that there was an express bus back to Cusco when the trains arrive coming from Machu Picchu, so we waited about an hour for the train to see if we could catch that bus. Unfortunately, the express bus either never existed or has been discontinued. So, we went back the way we came via combi and bus.

(Note: if you're in Urubamba and want the fastest route back to Cusco, you want the bus that says Urubamba on the front. Don't get on the Caminos del Inca bus, this is a less direct route going through the towns of Calca and Pisac.)

When we got back to Cusco, we stopped in at Fallen Angel, which is supposed to be reminiscent of a club in the East Village, or Paris, or London... We didn't really see it that way, but think it could be more like a cheesy "destination" club/restaurant in the outer boroughs.

In general, we enjoyed our day trip to Ollantaytambo and recommend it!! I found it very relaxing after the ordeal of going to Machu Picchu.

Overall opinions:
Jack's Cafe, Cusco: 7. Wish they had better coffee.
Bus/combi to Ollantaytambo: 5. Definitely the cheaper way to go (s/4), but we kinda wish we had splurged on a taxi (approx $10 each way).
Ollantaytambo: 9. Cute little town (though definitely touristy), and nice archaeological site/ruins.
Fallen Angel restaurant, Cusco: 5. Totally cheesy but decent drinks, though pricey. We did not try the food. Cost for 2 drinks: s/30.