Day 451 – Ollantaytambo
Exploring more of Ollantaytambo
Today we woke up late at the Inka House B&B and went off to breakfast. The Bed and Breakfast is massive, with several staggered levels. We had a nice filling breakfast of fruits, eggs, bread, jam and butter. This set is standard in Peru.
Very cute resident at Inka House B&B
We then got ready to go to the Free Walking Tour in the main plaza. However, we found out that the free walking tour doesn’t run anymore. According to a tour agency, it’s been out of business for months. Afterwards, we walked to Peru Rail, which is a train service that stops in Ollantaytambo, just to check it out. Besides getting caught in the rain, there was nothing to really see here.
We saw these on rooftops throughout the region Peru style barbed wire
Quellorajay Ruins
Then we walked to an Inca ruin on the outskirts of town called Quellorajay. It’s a free site, requiring no entry tickets. The location was idyllic, surrounded by corn fields. No one else was here so we had the entire, albeit small site, to ourselves. The limited buildings are in the same condition as the more popular Ollantaytambo Ruins.
On the way there and back, there was a massive bull blocking the way. Fortunately it was lazy, and stayed relaxed on the ground as we walked past it.
Sweaty hands…
As we were walking back into town, I was holding my wife’s hand. All of a sudden it felt super sweaty. Turns out a stray dog came from behind and licked my hand! I had to wash it in the open storm water drains.
Then we found a surprisingly amazing restaurant called El Maicito. The place was empty, but the food was delicious. It did take some time to prepare, but this gave me an opportunity to go and clean my hands with soap to remove the canine saliva.
Pinkuylluna Ruins
Next we visited another free archaeological site called Pinkuylluna. This is the site that we saw yesterday from the Ollantaytambo Archaeological Park. The site is small, but it will take some time to climb up. This is due to the altitude of Ollantaytambo (~2,800m above sea level. Mount Kosciuszko is only ~2,200m high)
There are various ruins in really bad condition scattered around the site, but the main highlight is what looks like store rooms, beautifully stacked next to each other.
We were able to walk around these buildings for amazing views of the town and the more popular Ollantaytambo Ruins. We saw less than 10 other people at the ruins.
Later as a reward for walking up all that way, we went to Misky Papa’s Restaurant Bar for some amazing chocolate cake. I wish we discovered this place yesterday, so I could enjoy it twice instead of just today.
Travelled November 2019
Expenses and Transport
Entrance Fee – Quellorajay Ruins – FREE
Entrance Fee – Pinkuylluna Ruins – FREE