Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu Pueblo
The Sacred Valley town of Ollantaytambo (oy-yahn-tie-TAM-bo) is known as the gateway to Machu Picchu because it’s where you either start the four-day trek on the Inca Trail or board the train to Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly known as Aguas Calientes). I was a little sorry to leave our wonderful hotel in Huayllabamba, but I was more excited to be one stage closer to Machu Picchu. During the one-hour drive to Ollantaytambo, our guide Pilar explained that the town was named after a legendary Inca hero named Ollayntay. “Tambo” is Quechua for refuge.
Ollantaytambo had an impressive archaeological park, perhaps the most important ancient site in Peru after Machu Picchu. Even more remarkable, the town built by the Incas in the late 1400s is still inhabited today! Read more about our tour of Ollantaytambo HERE.
After our tour of the town, Pilar and our driver Valerio set up a picnic lunch for us in a large grassy field. A lonely bull watched us for a minute but lost interest. Our lunch baskets contained a feast of sandwiches, quinoa salad, fresh and dried fruit, and carrot cake. Our day had started with rain, and now we were picnicking in the sunshine!
After lunch it was time to board the train for the trip to Machu Picchu Pueblo. We would travel nearly 27 miles through the Sacred Valley, a trip taking about 90 minutes. We were surprised to learn that we’d be traveling downhill (Ollantaytambo is at 9,200 feet, and Machu Picchu Pueblo is at 6,700 feet). The Vistadome Observatory train car had windows in the roof as well as on the sides, for panoramic views.
During the journey, we spent about half an hour in the bar car, enjoying the live band and folk dancing. Every passenger received a flower crown or chalán hat. There was also an open air balcony at the far end of the bar car. Back at our seats, we enjoyed free beverages (hot tea) and snacks (quinoa chips). And we all received gift bags with small bottles of pisco and shot glasses.
Machu Picchu Pueblo, which can be reached only by train or trekking on foot, was crowded and bustling. Our hotel, El Mapi, was just a short walk from the train station. We were again pleasantly surprised to be given suites - not as luxe as those at Aranwa Sacred Valley, but roomy and nice.
We had dinner at the hotel restaurant with Pilar, and then connected with Danny and Mei on FaceTime for our weekly Family Game Night. In the morning, we were going to see one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu!
