Ollantaytambo Fortress (Fortaleza y Templo del Sol de Ollantaytambo & The Living Inca Citadel) is a monumental Inca imperial stronghold, sacred temple complex, and world architectural wonder, **towering above the ancient cobblestone grid of Ollantaytambo town at 2,792 meters elevation**. Constructed **by Emperor Pachacuti in the 1460s as a royal estate and ceremonial fortress guarding the entrance to the lower Urubamba valley, famous for the Temple of the Sun (*Templo del Sol*) crowned by the Wall of the Six Monoliths (colossal 50-ton blocks of pink granite hauled from quarries 6 km away across the roaring river), soaring flights of monumental agricultural terraces rising 200 stone steps, carved sacred water fountains (*Baño de la Ñusta*), and historic fame as the site of Manco Inca's legendary 1537 victory over Spanish conquistador Hernando Pizarro by flooding the valley plains**, it stands as Peru's greatest surviving Inca fortress accessible via the **Boleto Turístico del Cusco (70 PEN partial / 130 PEN general)**.
Good to Know
The Walk: Moderate to Strenuous; climbing 200 steep stone terrace stairs up to the high Sun Temple platform
Time Needed: 2 to 3 hours for climbing the terraces, exploring the Sun Temple, and visiting the water fountains
What to Wear & Bring: Sturdy walking/hiking shoes, sun hat, sunglasses, water bottle, Boleto Turístico ticket, camera
At a Glance: Monumental Inca fortress & Sun Temple with 50-ton pink granite megaliths & 200 terrace steps
Operating Hours: Open daily 07:00 to 17:30 (Early morning 07:00–08:30 offers tranquil, crowd-free light)
Tickets & Entry: Included in Boleto Turístico del Cusco (BTC Circuit III: 70 PEN / Full BTC: 130 PEN)
How to Plan: Ideal morning visit before boarding afternoon trains to Machu Picchu from the nearby station
What's Worth Your Time
Wall of the Six Monoliths at the Sun Temple, Pinkuylluna granary views, and Baño de la Ñusta fountain.
Must-See Highlight: Standing before **the Wall of the Six Monoliths at the summit Temple of the Sun**, marveling at 50-ton pink granite blocks fitted together with paper-thin joints!
Local Tip: Look across the valley at the opposite mountain face to spot **the face of Tunupa (the Inca creator deity) and the Pinkuylluna cliffside storehouses**.
Skip If Rushed: Climbing during the midday heat rush (11:00–14:00); **climb early morning (07:30) or late afternoon (15:30)** when the stone terraces are peaceful.
Getting There
Located directly at the edge of Ollantaytambo town center. An easy 5-minute walk from Plaza de Armas or a 10-minute walk from the Ollantaytambo train station.
: The 200 stone steps are uneven and steep; hold wooden handrails where available and watch footing.
: Entry is included in the Boleto Turístico (70 PEN partial / 130 PEN general); cash PEN required at gate.
Present Boleto Turístico at the entrance gate in Ollantaytambo (08:00) → Begin **the climb up the 200 monumental stone agricultural terrace steps** (08:15) → Reach **the summit platform at the Temple of the Sun viewing the Wall of the Six Monoliths** (08:45) → Gaze across the valley at **the Pinkuylluna granaries and the carved mountain face of Tunupa** (09:15) → Descend through **the military barracks and the sacred Baño de la Ñusta water shrine** (09:50) → Walk into the historic living Inca cobblestone town for fresh coffee (10:20–10:30)
Climb the monumental terraces, explore the Sun Temple megaliths, and visit the water shrines.
The massive 50-ton pink granite blocks of the Sun Temple were quarried at Kachiqhata across the roaring Vilcanota River—Inca engineers diverted the entire river into artificial channels to slide these gigantic megaliths across the dry riverbed before hauling them up this mountain on inclined earthen ramps!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ollantaytambo Fortress?
It is a monumental Inca imperial estate, temple, and fortress built by Emperor Pachacuti, featuring soaring terraces, pink granite megaliths, and water fountains.
How do you enter the site?
Admission is included in the Boleto Turístico del Cusco (Circuit III Partial Ticket for 70 PEN or General Ticket for 130 PEN).
What happened here during the Spanish conquest?
In 1537, Manco Inca defeated Hernando Pizarro's Spanish cavalry here by showering them with arrows from the high terraces and flooding the valley plains.
How many stairs do you climb to reach the top?
Approximately 200 steep stone steps lead from the valley floor up to the Temple of the Sun.
What are the opening hours in 2026?
Open daily from 07:00 to 17:30.
💡 Local Wisdom & Traveler Tips
Share advice, best times to visit, or helpful hints for fellow travelers.
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