Friday 30 May 2014

Ollantaytambo town, one of the oldest cities of South America

This little village of Ollantaytambo, on a altitude of about 2.700 meters, was founded during the 15th century which makes it one of the oldest still existing cities of the South American continent. We were not expecting this since most of the houses are basic and primitive. It looks like time stood still and the community has not modernized.

The small cars are an attraction on its own and a large part of the inhabitants get their income from tourism. Why are tourists coming here? Certainly not for the local markets or shops, this is just a side business.

Ollantaytambo is in fact the main entrance for two of very famous Inca sites. The Inca fortress and temples of Ollantaytambo itself, which we are going to show in our next article and it is the access way to Machu Picchu, about 1,5 hours travelling from here. Almost all visitors going to Machu Picchu take the train in Ollantaytambo. That's is the reason why the hotels are always fully booked here.

Het kleine stadje Ollantaytambo, gelegen op een hoogte van ongeveer 2.700 meter, werd opgericht gedurende de 15de eeuw en is hiermee één van de oudste nog bevolkte steden van het Zuid-Amerikaanse continent. Dit hadden we niet verwacht daar de huizen heel basis en primitief zijn. Het lijkt alsof de tijd hier heeft stil gestaan en dat ontwikkeling en modernisering niet werd gestimuleerd.

De kleine auto's of soms zelfs autobrommers zijn een attractie op zich zelf en de stad lijkt hoofdzakelijk te leven van toerisme. Waarom komen bezoekers in feite hier heen? Zeker niet voor de lokale markt of winkeltjes, dat is slechts een bijeffect. 

De stad Ollantaytambo is de hoofdtoegang tot twee beroemde Inka sites. Het Inka fort en tempelcomplex van Ollantaytambo zelf en de toegangsweg naar Machu Picchu dat nog op 1,5 uur reizen van hier ligt. Bijna alle Machu Picchu bezoekers nemen de trein in Ollontaytambo. Dit is de reden waarom de hotels hier altijd volgeboekt zijn. 
 
Ollantaytambo Town

Ollantaytambo Town market

Ollantaytambo Town blind musician

Ollantaytambo Town

Ollantaytambo Town

Ollantaytambo Town

Ollantaytambo Town

Ollantaytambo Town

Ollantaytambo Town

Ollantaytambo Town

Ollantaytambo Town

Ollantaytambo Town

Ollantaytambo Town

Previous Ollantaytambo article: Alpaca Carpaccio at the Tunupa Restaurant, Ollantaytambo

Previous General Impressions article: General Impressions of Cusco, the old capital of the Inca’s

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14 comments:

  1. Interessante reis naar een vrij onbekend gebied. Mooie foto's.

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  2. irresistible place. thanks for sharing....

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  3. Looks very interesting town, quite different as towns in Europe.
    These photos are beautiful, thanks for sharing.
    Have a happy weekend.

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  4. Interesting to note that they have Wi-Fi.

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  5. Lijkt me zeer mooi om te bezoeken!

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  6. What a quaint little place, I think you are obviously now going to be heading upwards to Machu Picchu

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  7. Heel mooi dorpje met prachtige kleuren! Zeer mooie foto's.

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  8. Some small houses are in very bad condition. touching view

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  9. prachtige en kleurrijke foto's Filip. Groetjes, Dietmut

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  10. Goedemiddag Filip, thanks a lot for your comment under my latest post!

    Five minutes ago, I was in Ollantaytambo, too. But only with my finger tip on the road map... ;-)
    Good friends of mine have been to Peru years ago, but I still have to wait for my first trip to South America. Periodically I have people / colleagues from all over the world in the company I work for. Two weeks ago guests from Belgium, Japan and Russia. But Peru??? Negative report so far...!!! So...
    ...thanks for sharing your impressions from the other side of our beautiful planet.
    All the best from your neighbour country and next champion in football... ;-)
    Uwe.

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  11. gezellige sfeer, alles zo eenvoudig maar o zo mooi

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  12. Love this "taxi" and also the man playing a harp. Would not have expected a harp with the area or the outfit.

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  13. beautiful colors, fabrics, buildings. neat!

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