Pumamarca and Pachamanca
Inca ruins and food in Ollantaytambo
A great way to explore this Inca town
Deep in the Sacred Valley lies the quiet Inca village of Ollantaytambo. Follow the steep road that leads up into the hills behind and you will be rewarded with sights that few other visitors ever see. The Patacancha valley is one of the last bastions of a culture passed down from generation to generation since the time of the Incas.
Locals clad in red ponchos and colourful felt hats enliven the muted greens and browns of this hidden valley. And for those prepared to hike a little comes the reward of the Pumamarca Inca ruins.
You end with a Pachamanca lunch in the town of Ollantaytambo on an organic farm
Highlights
- Visit the little known Inca ruins of Pumamarca
- Climb the fortress of Ollantaytambo
- Enjoy a Pachamanca lunch
You start with a short drive up to this hidden valley, passing colourfully dressed locals on the way. Leaving your vehicle behind you have a short but steep climb up to Puma Marca, a remarkably well preserved and extensive Inca ruin with spectacular views down the valley towards Ollantaytambo.
After some time to explore, you follow an old Inca Trail down the steeply terraced valley towards Ollantaytambo, where you can enjoy a traditional Pachamanca lunch at the organic farm belonging to El Albergue. Cooked in a hole in the ground this produces a tender and tasty meal.
To finish your meal you can visit the on-site distillery where they make a local spirit known as Caña Alta, which they sell in the top restaurants of Lima. You can also explore the old streets of this fascinating town with its narrow cobbled passageways and ever-present Inca walls.
