The main event of Cusco Carnival is held in the city’s Plaza de Armas (Main Square) bringing together an array of public and private organizations to offer an incredible spectacle featuring dances and music performed by different types of troupes known as pandillas and comparsas. Many of these groups have won numerous prizes at the different festivals celebrated in the Sacred Valley and the South Valley.

The Celebration of the Compadres and Comadres
Traditionally, Carnival begins two Thursdays before the main event, with one day dedicated to compadres and the other, to comadres. On these dates, prominent local men visit their female counterparts and vice versa.

One of the defining features of this celebration are the dolls made in the image of well-known public personalities, important workplace figures, and even regional authorities. Some place a humorous emphasis on their subject’s most notable traits, while others carry a powerful symbolic message for society. Whatever the case, these dolls always represent something.

These dolls are generally made from recycled materials such as cardboard, bottles, discarded clothing articles and shoes, plastic, etc. Once they are ready, they are hung from high places as soon as Wednesday ends, the better for all to view them.

Cusco Carnival Main Celebration
The most important day of Carnival is held on Sunday. At this point, everything grows more intense, from the music to the colors, with water, talc, mixtures of the two, and even paint flying everywhere. The winning dolls from the compadre and comadre competitions are paraded through the streets. And of course, you cannot miss the dances performed by numerous public and private organizations.

Traditional Foods at Cusco’s Carnival
With all these lively activities, celebrants’ bellies are sure to require a good meal. Luckily, Carnival comes with its own culinary fair featuring three traditional dishes from Cusco:

• Kapchi: Also spelled capchi, is a dish made with fresh broad beans, seasoned potatoes, milk, and cheese or mushrooms. It is usually accompanied by a stuffed rocoto chili pepper and a bit of rice.
• Timpu: Also known as puchero cusqueño, consists of a mouthwatering variety of stewed meats served with potatoes, chickpeas, rice, whole cabbage leaves, sweet potatoes, peaches, yucca, pears, and a local tuber called moraya. There are two different presentations which can be served on separate plates or together in combination.
• Frutillada: To complement our meal (and quench our thirst) we have the famous frutillada, an iconic drink from the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This beverage is prepared with chicha de jora mixed with boiled strawberries (with lemon verbena and cinnamon). The key step in making frutillada is to leave the chicha to ferment for eight days. By the time Carnival rolls around, it will be ready to drink.
• Chicha de jora: Chicha de jora is a drink made from fermented purple maize. While it is often used as the main ingredient in more elaborate beverages, it is also popular all on its own.

Octava or Kacharpari
Octava or Kacharpari, is celebrated one week after the main event to cap off Carnival festivities for the year. On this date, we can catch a glimpse of the famous yunza or cortamonte, where people get together to dance around an artificial tree that has been adorned with gifts. During this event, participants move in a circle around the tree, using a machete or ax to strike blows until they overthrow it. After the tree falls, you have better be quick and crafty if you want to grab one of the gifts. As a curiosity, this tradition can be found in various celebrations in different regions of Peru that happen to overlap with Carnival season (February and March).

Kacharpari always marks the end of festivities and Cusco Carnival is no exception, where it wraps up one of Peru’s most important celebrations.

Carnivals in Cusco’s Provinces
The city of Cusco isn’t the only place where Carnival is celebrated; these unforgettable festivities can be found in the different provinces throughout the department, as well. To name just a few, we have:

• The Sacred Valley of the Incas: Calca, Urubamba, Qoya, Pisac, Lamay, Yanahuara, etc.
• South Valley: Canchis, Oropesa, and San Jerónimo.
  While these events share many features, each community has its own traditions. For example, women take charge of Carnival in the District of Tinta. Towns such as Calca and Mollepata celebrate a yunza for singles and married couples, very similar to the traditional yunza, where participants take part in chopping down the tree to the beat of traditional songs such as huaynos.

Thinking of visiting Cusco during Carnival season? Then be sure not to miss the view from the PeruRail Vistadome train, which offers exceptional comfort and an unrivaled experience on your journey to Machu Picchu. Get your tickets here.

There is no better way to start off your February than by reveling in Cusco’s incredible Carnival!

Photo 1: Holy Tabernacle in procession for Corpus Christi

History of Corpus Christi
During the time of the Incas, there were many fiestas dedicated to their ancestors and the gods. Among these were the Taita Inti, the goddess Killa, Kuychi, etc., which were very significant to them. Of course, the most important feast of all was the fiesta in honor of the Inti (the Sun) and in ancient times they would carry the mummies of their former rulers in a procession before the big celebration.

The Spaniards were amazed at what they saw and took advantage of the festivity in their process to “evangelize” the people to Christianity. And so, in 1572, they decided to replace the procession of mummies with a procession of the 15 saints and virgins that to this day is known as the Cusquenian Corpus Christi.

When is Corpus Christi held?
Following the church calendar, Corpus Christi is held nine weeks after Maundy Thursday (Holy or Easter Week). This year, in 2022, the festivities will be held on June 16.

Photo 2: Ukuku dancer in Corpus Christi procession

How is Corpus Christi celebrated?
Preparing for the feast of Corpus Christi

We mentioned that this was a very important festivity and so, quite naturally, the organization prior to the feast day is equally important. The hosts, also known as the carguyoq, are in charge of offering the food, beverages and a band of musicians to accompany the followers when the saints are brought out in procession.

Cusqueño food is certainly a highlight, especially in these festivities. The Chiri Uchu is an iconic dish during Corpus Christi and you won’t want to miss it for the world.

Entry of the saints

On the eve of the eucharist celebration of Corpus Christi, the effigy of each of the saints leaves their church or temple, accompanied faithfully by their followers with dances and music typical of each region. One would think they were all close to the main venue of the event, but many come from as far as 10 kilometers away from the main plaza.

The destination of all the saints is the Arco de Santa Clara (St. Claire’s Arch) and then to the church of San Pedro, where you can see the symbolic handing over of the keys to the cathedral by Saint Peter to Saint Anthony. When all the saints are gathered, the procession then continues towards the entry of the cathedral, in which they will spend a whole week until the Octava, the eighth week after Easter.

Photo 3: Procession of various Saints through Corpus Christi

Which are the saints that participate?

1. San Antonio from the San Cristóbal Parish
2. San Jerónimo from the District Parish of San Jerónimo
3. San Cristóbal from the Parish of San Cristóbal
4. San Sebastián from the District Parish of San Sebastián
5. Santa Bárbara from the District Parish of Poroy
6. Santa Ana from the Parish of Santa Ana
7. Santiago Apóstol from the Parish of Santiago
8. San Blas from the Parish of San Blas
9. San Pedro from the Parish of San Pedro
10. San José from the Parish of Belén
11. Virgen de la Natividad (Our Lady of the Nativity) from the Parish of Almudena
12. Virgen de los Remedios (Our Lady of Remedies) from the Church of Santa Catalina
13. Virgen Purificada (Holy Virgin) from the Parish of San Pedro
14. Virgen de Belén (Our Lady of Bethlehem) from the Parish of Belén
15. Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción (Our Lady of Immaculate Conception) also known as “La Linda” from the Basilica of the Catedral

The Main Feast of Corpus Christi
The celebration of Corpus Christi itself is understood to mean the celebration of the body of Christ at the Eucharist and fidelity to that devotion, and the main event is the mass —which is held in Quechua — with the presence of all the saints.

The event that everyone waits for on that day is the procession of the 15 saints, which are carried to the beat of the festive traditions and the music of innumerable huaynos. The musical arrangements are personalized for the different saints by their followers.

The ceremony generally ends as night falls, when the last effigy has entered the cathedral and each congregation leaves to the rhythm of their dances and to drink until the following day.

Photo 4: Patron San Cristóbal in procession through Corpus Christi

The Octava of Corpus
The Octava is the date on which the procession of the 15 saints takes place around the main plaza in Cusco. The usual time for the events begin is after lunch, around two o’clock in the afternoon, and it ends close to seven o’clock at night.

Lowering the Saints
This usually starts on the day after the Octava and the ‘lowering’ actually means the return of the sacred images to their respective churches (or temples). However, some of the protocols differ, as is the case with Our Lady of Bethlehem.

Words are not enough to describe the fervor and excitement that this fiesta offers. If you have the opportunity to travel to Cusco for these events, don’t think twice and do it. If it was already in your plans and you have the time available, how about a visit to the Citadel of Machu Picchu? The PeruRail Vistadome train has every comfort to make your trip the best experience of all. Buy your tickets here!

If you want a journey full of adventure and lots of history, Cusco is the best choice to learn more about its natural landscapes. You will not only appreciate a world wonder like Machu Picchu, but you will also discover more about the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a place with green mountains, particularly relevant for the Inca Empire because of its fertile lands.

Located in the region of Urubamba, the Sacred Valley was a source of food for the Incas because of its incredible ecological floors at different altitudes. Its main crops were white corn, potatoes, coca, fruit, and vegetables, which continue being grown to date. Presently, lucuma, avocado, peach, and the best Peruvian grains of corn are added to the vast list of crops.

Rural or Experiential Tourism in the Sacred Valley
Visitors will not only be mere spectators of the wonderful natural landscape which will fill their lungs with the purest air; but they will also have the opportunity to engage in experiential travel, which consists of staying in the house of locals and learn through them more about their customs, culture and traditions such as plowing the fields, participate in rituals of payment to the Earth (Pachamama, Mother Earth), baking bread, sowing, among other activities.

There are three communities for experiential travel: Pumahuanca, where the traveler will be guided by locals and learn how to perform certain farming techniques; Salineras de Maras, where the tourist will engage in the salt extraction process in any of the 3,000 salt wells thereat, and Yucay, a place where the tourist can practice ecotourism and mountain biking

What to do in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
The Sacred Valley is a territory that extended across the River Vilcanota-Urubamba that links the towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo. In this place, the traveler will have fun doing extreme sports surrounded by magnificent landscape. Mountain cycling, paragliding, trekking and rafting are some of the activities that any adrenaline lover will experience in heights.

Here is a list of places that you must visit:

Pisac
It was the biggest fortress of the Inca civilization. Pisac, a remarkable and charming town located at the bottom of Intihuanata Hill, at 2 972 m.a.s.l., owns the best terraces system developed by the Incas.

This town is famous for the mass celebrated every Sunday, the “Catu” (a local fair in which people exchange agricultural products, in some kind of barter), the craft market and the imposing Pisac Archeological Complex, known for its amazing buildings considered as Inca architectural jewels.

Calca
This little town has beautiful Andean scenery ornamented by two snowy peaks, Pitusira and Sahuasiray. You can also enjoy the relaxing Machacancha (medicinal hot spring) and Minasmoqo, (cold sparkling mineral spring). The Huachuy Inca Archeological Complex is also nearby.

Urubamba
Its fertile agricultural land makes it one of the most important cities in the Valley. This land was highly valued by the Incas because of its excellent quality crops. Urubamba, also known as Perla del Vilcanota (Pearl of Vilcanota), means “Pampa to one-day journey of the trail” and it’s an important place for extreme sports such as paragliding, canopy, canoeing, balloon flights, etc.

Ollantaytambo
The origin of Ollantaytambo is based on the play of The Legend of Ollantay, a commoner who was deeply in love with the Princess Cusi Coyllor, daughter of the Inca Emperor Pachacutec, who didn’t approve such relation. The Inca decided to punish her daughter, sending her to the house of the Virgins. For that reason, Ollantay decided to rise up against Pachacutec in gory battles; upon winning them, the Inca decided to forgive the commoner’s life.

Ollantaytambo fortress, located in the same town, was erected during the Tahuantinsuyo era and has outstanding buildings such as Templo del Sol (Temple of the Sun) and its monoliths, such as Mañaracay, Incahuatana and Baños de la Princesa (Bath of the Princess).

Enjoy a wonderful journey through these beautiful landscapes! Depart from the heart of the Sacred Valley towards the Inca Citadel Machu Picchu aboard our PeruRail Vistadome panoramic train.

The History of Intipunku
The inhabitants of the Andes have always been avid stargazers, interacting with the stars and investigating everything the cosmos has to offer. Their knowledge and beliefs were entirely based on these observations. Starting in Incan times there was an increasing need for multifunctional constructions such as terrace systems for farming, temples, observatories, storage facilities, places of worship, watchtowers, etc.

The Intipunku, located in Ollantaytambo, played the important role of a control gate and at the same time an astronomical observatory. Its position was ideal, since it was perfectly aligned with the constellation of the Pleiades (the Qollqa, as the Incas called it) and the snow-capped mountain of Verónica (Huacayhuilque or Waqaywillki). It was closely associated with the winter solstice and the Andean New Year.

Just as Andean inhabitants stored their most precious food in special storage facilities, they believed that all things which endured beyond earthly life should be immortalised and preserved. Intipunku was the interdimensional spiritual bridge that acted as the portal between the world of the living and the afterlife.

How to get to each of the two Intipunku? Here we detail the route of each of them: in Ollantaytambo and in Machu Picchu.

How to Reach Intipunku in Ollantaytambo?
This Sun Gate is located 9 km away from the Ollantaytambo district, in the Kachi Qhata (Salt Slope) sector in the upper part of the archaeological site, on the banks of the Vilcanota River and 3,900 meters above sea level.

There are two ways to reach this Intipunku:

Route Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Intipunku
We head towards Pavitos street, in the same city of Cusco, to board a minivan that will take us to Ollantaytambo. It is recommended to go very early, as it is a trip of at least 2 hours.

Then, we have a stretch of 9 km to go until we reach the Sun Gate. We dare to say that it is one of the most beautiful walks you can experience, because you will be able to appreciate the beautiful landscape that the Sacred Valley offers; nature, mountains and snow-capped mountains. We can hardly ask for something better!

Of course, remember that this is a trek of at least 5 hours at height, so you must be in good physical condition.

Route Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Kachi Qhata – Intipunku
Here we will also take a minivan to Ollantaytambo, but now we will take a detour (by taxi or private car) to Kachi Qhata. From this place, we will begin our ascent to Intipunku, which consists of 6 km and lasts approximately 3 hours.

Like the first route, you will be able to rest and appreciate the beautiful landscape at the end of the route. Similarly, you will return the same day by the same path you took. If you wish, you can camp in the surroundings.

How to get to the Intipunku of Machu Picchu?
Although there are currently more entrances to Machu Picchu, the Sun Gate is still considered the most important due to its history and construction. It can be reached in two ways: by hiking from the archaeological site of Machu Picchu and by taking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Visitors usually use the second way, since it is the usual tourist route.

Route to Intipunku from Machu Picchu
This hike starts at Machu Picchu’s entrance gate and runs for a distance of about 2 km (1.2 mi) along farming terraces. Any visitor can take this optional short trip, but remember, it is not included in guided tours of Machu Picchu. The path is closed in February due to heavy rainfall.

Route to Intipunku along the Inca Trail
The Inca Trail itself is a whole excursion, taking two or four days depending on the type of route you choose. You will arrive at the Sun Gate on the last day of the trek, as the final stop before reaching Machu Picchu.

The four-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu covers a distance of approximately 39 km (24 mi) long. It usually starts at Wayllabamba (Km Marker 82), continues via Pacaymayo on Day 2, and Wiñayhuayna on Day 3, before finally arriving at Intipunku on Day 4 after trekking 37 km (23 mi).
The two-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu covers approximately 12 km (7.5 mi). It starts at Km Marker 104 of the railway that connects Ollantaytambo and the town of Machu Picchu.
The return from Machu Picchu depends on the tour you take but remember that you will have to catch the train back to the city of Cusco. The PeruRail Vistadome train has all the amenities you will need on your return trip, offering a complete immersion in nature as you travel, not to mention onboard cultural events. Ready to see what it’s all about? You can buy your tickets here.

Activities at Machu Picchu’s Intipunku
Activities along the trail to Intipunku and at the site itself include the following:

• Enjoy the walk. They say that sometimes the journey is just as important as the destination, and that’s certainly the case here. The ascent from Machu Picchu to the Sun Gate is extremely scenic, offering you the same views the Incas enjoyed hundreds of years ago along the actual paths they built.
• Take in the dazzling landscape. The views here are truly unparalleled: the mountain of Huayna Picchu, the Urubamba River and the town of Machu Picchu together with its beautiful surroundings.
• Birdwatching. If you’re lucky, at this altitude you can find the birds that call Machu Picchu home. These species include the chestnut-breasted coronet, the Andean guan, the famous Andean cock-of-the-rock, the blue-grey tanager, and others.

Did any of these two Intipunku catch your attention? It is a beautiful experience to take these tours and get to know everything around you, but taking all the necessary precautions. We recommend going in times when the rains are not so frequent (May – October), always with sunscreen and waterproof clothing, as the weather can change drastically from one moment to another.

In addition, the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu is enough to enter the Sun Gate.

Remember that you can take a train to Machu Picchu and hike to the Sun Gate from there. The PeruRail Expedition train is ready to offer its services to more adventurous visitors at a modest price, with all the amenities you could possibly need. Get your tickets here.

What mportant festivities are celebrated in the Sacred Valley?
There are close to 15 important festivities held in Urubamba during the year. The following are the most attractive to visitors interested in the Sacred Valley.

Easter Week in Calca

Celebrated on March 29

Location: Province of Calca

Follow the Señor de los Temblores (Lord of Earthquakes) from the Apostol Church during the religious events celebrated during Easter Week. Beginning on Holy Monday, the faithful and public in general come together to process through the streets of the city of Calca.

Torrechayoc Festival

Celebrated for close to a month starting on May 31

Location: Province of Urubamba

This is one of the greatest religious festivities celebrated in Urubamba, dedicated to venerating the Crucified Christ on a huge cross. It is celebrated with mass, firework displays, dances, devotional praying, bullfights and much more. Although the celebrations last throughout the month, the main date is June 9.

Pisac’s Virgin of Carmen Festivity

Celebrated on July 15 to 18

Location: Town of Pisac

Legend has it that, at the end of the 19th century, two images of the Virgin of Carmen appeared in a private hacienda very close to the town of Pisac. They are considered twins and both are taken separately to the Main Square to the beat of troupes of masked dancers and their musical groups, in addition to their sponsors and town authorities. The celebration continues when both virgins meet and walk through the main streets of the town; once the night arrives, the dancers and musical groups establish themselves in certain spaces to continue with the party.

Feast of the Assumed Virgin in Qoya
Celebrated on August 14 to 17

Location: District of Qoya, province of Calca

The story goes back to 1951, when the Virgin of Qoya had her head and hands stolen. Some time passed before a villager recognized these stolen parts in the image of a neighboring town and they were returned after a judicial process. Today, 3 images of the “Mamacha Asunta” (as her faithful affectionately refer to her) are venerated: one restored after the robbery, the one that was rebuilt with the recovered parts and one that was donated in 1960. 4 days are dedicated to her, being the 15th its central day, in which 27 troupes of different dances can be found in Qoya participate.

Anniversary of the Coat of Arms of the Distinguished City of Urubamba

Celebrated on November 8 and 9

Location: Province of Urubamba

The small town of Villa of Urubamba was baptized as the Distinguished City of Urubamba in 1839, and since then the anniversary is celebrated with a great event organized by the provincial municipality in which several organizations and authorities participate (Calca, Chinchero, Maras, etc.). A Te Deum or thanksgiving mass is held early in the morning and the day unfolds with parades, dances and a festive atmosphere that will enchant you.

In Urubamba you never have to wait long to enjoy a fiesta, which makes it a perfect destination for travelers who have no fixed vacation date. We would also like to remind you that there are many more local activities that may attract your interest. For example, there is the Festivity of the Señor de Choquekillka, the Wata Qallariy Raymi Festivity, Pisac Willka Raymi, and the Festivity of the Adoration of the Magi or the Three Kings, and others.

Now that you know Urubamba’s attractions, wouldn’t you like to travel by train? The PeruRail Vistadome train offers you comfort and the best of experiences. And also, if it was already in your plans, you can connect your trip to Machu Picchu. Get your tickets here!

Urubamba, which means “pampas a day’s walk” in Spanish, is located in the heart of the Sacred Valley, in an impressive area for extreme sports such as hiking, canopy, mountain biking, paragliding, canoeing, hot air ballooning, etc. In addition, you will enjoy getting to know mystical places with a lot of history and culture that are still alive despite the years.

Learn more about the interesting places you will find in the heart of Urubamba:

• Santiago Apostle Church: Built in 1650 by Juan Arias de la Lira, parish priest of the place with the help of Bishop Manuel Molinedo. On December 28, 1972, it was declared Cultural Patrimony of the Nation because it was considered the first church in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Its architecture still preserves works of colonial art, the cross for example maintains a Gothic style, the altar is bathed in gold leaf and silver plating. You can also find the image of an Inca with a mascaypacha on his head.
• The Martín Pio Concha House: He was the last Spaniard who ruled Cusco in the XIX century. In this place are the 360 archaeological pieces found in Machu Picchu by the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham, after being returned by Yale University, here you can see bone remains, metal, ceramic and lithic pieces.
• Main square of Urubamba: Surrounded by a chain of greenish mountains, the square is the central point of the whole city. In front you can see the San Francisco church, built on Inca foundations. Also, very close to this place you will find restaurants dedicated to the typical Cusquenian gastronomy and excursion agencies that will guide you to learn more about the Inca culture.
• Urubamba River: Also known as Wilcamayu (Sacred River), it is one of the main rivers of Peru that rises in the knot of the Vilcanota at 4,314 meters above sea level, its name in Spanish means “plateau of spiders” and it is the ideal place for canoeing. It is recommended to practice this sport in the months of December to March because of the different degrees of difficulty (I, II, II).

How to get to Urubamba
Urubamba, bordering provinces such as: La Convención, Anta and Calca, it is located only 78 km from the city of Cusco, approximately 1 hour and a half by bus or car. The tourist will have two options to get to this place, to the north towards Chincheros and to the northeast via Pisac towards Calca.

In the city of Urubamba you will find a train station, from this point the PeruRail Vistadome, the only train to Machu Picchu Station that departs from this area.
Be sure to learn more about the ancestral Inca culture, a place that still maintains its fertile lands for the best corn production. Enjoy and live the combination of ancient culture with the adventure of Urubamba!

Origins of Ollantaytambo
The town of Ollantaytambo was established under this name during the Reign of Pachacútec (1418–1471). While there were buildings here before that, the town grew dramatically under the rule of the Incas. At that time, Ollantaytambo was used as a checkpoint to control access to the Sacred Valley. This was also where maize was first domesticated before being grown extensively on the fertile slopes of the Urubamba River Valley.

Ollantaytambo is located amidst arid mountains and colourful landscapes in the northwest corner of the Sacred Valley, the part furthest from Cusco and closest to Machu Picchu. The town’s location seems at first to be a happy coincidence, but history has shown us that the Incas rarely left anything to chance. Let us tell you a bit more about the history of the town of Ollantaytambo.

Origins of Ollantaytambo
The town of Ollantaytambo was established under this name during the Reign of Pachacútec (1418–1471). While there were buildings here before that, the town grew dramatically under the rule of the Incas. At that time, Ollantaytambo was used as a checkpoint to control access to the Sacred Valley. This was also where maize was first domesticated before being grown extensively on the fertile slopes of the Urubamba River Valley.

Not only was this a strategic point for monitoring the nearby valleys, but it was also a strategic military location of which the Incas made great use. This is why we say the Incas left nothing to chance.

Who built Ollantaytambo?
While Pachacútec helped Ollantaytambo reach its full splendour, the buildings here date to well before the time of the Incas. In the town and its surroundings, evidence has been found of settlements of the Huari civilization (600 – 1000 AD), such as the Fortress of Pumamarca, a military citadel that controlled access to Ollantaytambo. This fortress was reached along the famous Inca Trail.

Others claim that the town is even older, dating back as far as 3,500 years.

Many different peoples erected buildings in this area, including the Incas, but it was the Incas who greatly expanded the previously existing town.

Ollantaytambo Today
While you may have started to get the impression that Ollantaytambo is a town of ruins, the truth is quite the opposite. Today, the town is divided in two by the Patacancha Creek. On the eastern side is Qosqo Ayllu, with the town’s main square and four streets running parallel to the Patacancha. On the western side is Araqama Ayllu, known for its many archaeological sites. According to the 2017 National Census, the district of Ollantaytambo is home to 10,165 residents. It is believed that even more people lived here during the days of the Incas.

The town is well-equipped for tourism, with hotels, cafés, restaurants, handicraft shops, and more.

Train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu
You are probably visiting Ollantaytambo as a stop on the way to your main destination of Machu Picchu. If so, the best way to get there is by train, and PeruRail offers excellent service from the Ollantaytambo Station. We recommend taking the PeruRail Vistadome train, which offers all the amenities you will need to make the most out of your trip. Onboard, you will find traditional music and dances, not to mention an incredible panoramic view.

You can buy your tickets here.

How to Reach Ollantaytambo?
We recommend traveling from Cusco to Ollantaytambo by car. There are three possible routes:

• Cusco – Chinchero – Urubamba – Ollantaytambo (81 km/50 mi)
• Cusco – Pisac – Calca – Urubamba – Ollantaytambo (96 km/60 mi)
• Cusco – Anta – Huarocondo – Pachar – Ollantaytambo (70 km/43 mi)

While the last option is the shortest, be careful because there are often landslides blocking the roads during the rainy season.

Various civilisations have walked these lands, so don’t miss the chance to discover every fascinating detail of its history. The town of Ollantaytambo awaits you with open arms!

Remember, you can also reach Machu Picchu on the PeruRail Expedition train, which is designed for visitors in search of adventure. Get your tickets here!

The route to Machu Picchu has many landscapes that transform the journey in a show worth admiring. That’s why the PeruRail Vistadome train, which has panoramic windows in every wagon, is the best option for those people who love to be in touch with nature from the moment they first arrive.

From Poroy Station, located near Cusco city, or Urubamba and Ollantaytambo Stations, both located in the Sacred Valley; begin an adventure full of magic to Machu Picchu on board the PeruRail Vistadome. Sit comfortably and feel the connection with nature. Beautiful landscapes will make the trip an unforgettable experience.

From a full dry pampas panorama, typical peruvian andes, to an intense green view of the jungle. Diverse sensations, a mixture of relaxation and wonder, will take you to a state of tranquility while the trip goes deep into the Inca territory.

While you enjoy a light snack prepared with unique local andean ingredients accompanied by traditional background music, the Vilcanota River, also called by the Incas “Wilkanayu” that means “Sacred driver’’, accompanies the train during much of the tour.

Finally, the adventure to Machu Picchu turns unforgettable when the magic takes in the PeruRail Vistadome train on the outbound journey. Dancers of Saqra, traditional dance of Puaucartambo, Cusco, get on the wagons to spread the typical euphoria of the Andean customs with their joy and dancing steps.

The journey continues with an elegant Fashion show that display on board an exclusive collection of Baby Alpaca, which have been worked in a collaborative way with the andean communities, to promulgate their art and textiles. Then you can buy them at the end of the presentation.

So, if you enjoy nature, landscapes and new experiences, your best alternative to get around the sacred Inca city, Machu Picchu, is on board of the magic experience found in PeruRail’s PeruRail Vistadome train.

The site boasts an almost intact Inca urban planning and that is something that attracts a lot of attention from tourists. It can even be said that it is one of the reasons why this stop takes longer than necessary.

How do you get to Ollantaytambo?
There are two ways to get to Ollantaytambo: by the Chinchero highway or by train. To get to the Ollantaytambo PeruRail Station (train) you can take a bus, taxi or private service from downtown Cusco and would be arriving in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Of course, the ideal situation would be to take the train at a previous station to enjoy the full experience.

What are the places to visit in the Archaeological Center of Ollantaytambo?
The main places to visit within the archaeological complex are:

Terraces
The terraces or “andenes” is the first thing you see when you arrive in Ollantaytambo. This grouping of terraces is located on the side of the mountain and is large enough to distinguish them from a great distance.

Intihuatana of Ollantaytambo
It is an Inca sundial located on a vertical slope above the Temple of the Sun and was used as an observatory, since it is an axis on which the sun fixes its position throughout the year in order to continue with agricultural planning. It is a high wall with security holes up to 80 cm deep on its sides.

It is worth mentioning that the sun was the most important divinity of Tahuantinsuyo and hence many of its constructions were based on it.

Royal House of the Sun
The Royal House of the Sun, as all of Ollantaytambo, still preserves the urban layout of the Inca era. It consists of 17 superimposed terraces, a series of straight and wide terraces that overlook the main square and the side of the town.

The Temple of the Sun
The complex was almost completely destroyed, and its remains consist of huge blocks of pink granite, some of which weighed 67 tons. The remaining immobile parts constitute a stone canvas that, due to its solidity, volume and form of assembly, resisted the attacks of the thieves of Inca idols and repelled the looters.

Although it is not complete, it is still one of the most surprising sections for visitors. The monoliths still standing give an idea of how imposing this part of the complex was in its best years, something similar to what we can see in the Coricancha.

The Monumental Cover and the Enclosure of the 10 Niches
It is the last of the upper group of terraces of the Royal House of the Sun, where the entire wall is made up of two stone canvasses that form a kind of enclosure. To this day, the enclosure is incomplete, we can only find the foundations, and it is because it was demolished at the time of the conquest.

The Bath of the Ñusta
The Bath of the Ñusta or Bath of the Princess is a beautiful fountain with three water outlets running parallel to each other. A masterpiece of the Incas, as they were experts in hydraulic engineering. We can easily see this in all their temples; places where water plays a very important role.

How to buy a tourist ticket to Ollantaytambo?
The Cusco Tourist Ticket is required, and this can be obtained in two places:

-Av. El Sol 103, Cusco (Galerías Turísticas Of. 101)
-At the entrances of the archaeological sites (Ollantaytambo, etc.)

Remember that you can choose a full or partial Tourist Ticket, so it will depend on the attractions you want to visit. The general recommendation is to get a full ticket, since it usually costs more to buy a separate one for each place.

Did everything you can find in Ollantaytambo amaze you? Then, don’t think about it anymore and venture on the journey! Our PeruRail Vistadome train offers a different way of traveling and the Ollantaytambo stop is no exception. Buy your train tickets here!

Most of these dances are performed during patron saint festivities, carnival, and religious festivities, exhibiting the great vitality of Cusco’s culture. The following are the five dances most frequently performed at festivities in Cusco:

Qhapaq Negro
Qapac Negro, which in Quechua means “rich black man”, is a collective mestizo dance created in the early days of the republic. Its characters represent the black slave and the slavery that existed during the Colonial period, with lyrics about their suffering sung to the Virgin and their devotion to her.

History of the Qhapaq Negro Dance
It is said that black slaves were brought in ancient times from the coast and from Bolivia, to work in the gold and silver mines in Paucartambo, and some brought with them their tradition of worshipping the Virgen del Carmen from Lima.

Characters in the Qhapaq Negro Dance
The dance is made up of a black king, a couple of children and two parallel rows of black soldiers headed by their respective captains. The dance is divided among the dancers, who recite their lyrics and the instrumental group to play the music (harp, quena, violin, accordion, and drums).

Contredanse
The contredanse is a dance about farmlands in which the leader of the troupe introduces the other dancers to the tasks in the field. However, this dance is also seen as a parody of the ballroom dances held by the Spanish elite during the colonial days, and this makes sense considering its name of “contredanse.”

History of the Contredanse
The Contredanse has a history full of triumphs and surprises, having won prizes such as the Department Folklore Dances contest in 1968 and the Inti Raymi Festival in 1991. Its troupe was also the first to be granted its own place in the town and the first to be incorporated, becoming a legal entity registered with the National Institute of Culture (1989).

Characters of the Contredanse
The characters in the Contredanse include the machu (leader), dancers who wear masks made of wire mesh, and a musical group of violins, accordions, quenas and a drums.

Wallata
The Wallata dance represents the courtship of the wallata (male) birds and the wachacha (female) birds by imitating their movements in a choreography. Dancers take their inspiration from the birds’ cries, movements, behavior, coupling, and the dominance of the male. The female dancers perform elegant movements to represent flirtation.

History of the Wallata Dance
The origin of the dance is intimately linked to the farmer in the fields, related to the surrounding nature and wildlife that includes the wallatas, web-footed birds that live in the wetlands and totora reed beds close to these communities.

Characters in the Wallata dance
The male and female dancers represent the courting of the Wallata bird. Men dress in short pants, white shirts, with a short red poncho, a chullo, an ojota sandals and a round hat. Women dress in a wide black skirt with a red border, a short skirt or ikhuna on top, a red jacket, a round hat, an ojota sandals and a shawl or lliclla.

Cholo Qorilazo
The Cholo Qorilazo dance represents the joy of the villagers in the high Andean areas of the Cusco region, in the Province of Chumbivilcas where this beautiful dance was created. It also symbolizes the happiness that the cholo qorilazo feels at having his woman by his side, accompanying him and his faithful horse.

History of the Cholo Qorilazo dance
The word Qorilazo is a fusion of Qori, which means gold or golden in Quechua, and of lazo, which is the Spanish word for lasso. Thus, the dance is about the cholo (or Andean man) with the golden lasso, referring to the local villagers and their tasks or hobbies.

Characters in the Cholo Qorilazo dance
The dance is performed by men and women accompanied by string instruments such as the guitar, the charango, and the mandolin.

Carnaval Cusqueño
The Carnaval Cusqueño dance, a dance performed during the carnival festivities season, is one of the most popular dances in Cusco, with beautifully elegant steps and rhythm that represent young people in love.

The main attraction of the choreography is the tree-chopping sequence, also known as Q’ashwa or more commonly called Yunza, in which young single men dance around a tree festooned with gifts, colorful streamers, balloons, blankets, etc. The objective is to begin chopping the tree down little by little until it falls.

Characters of the Carnaval Cusqueño
As mentioned earlier, this dance is for groups of young men and women. Women’s costumes include brightly colored skirts, white blouses, tall white hats, plaited hair, and a white scarf. Men wear a white shirt, a white kerchief, a black hat, black pants and waistcoat, black shoes, and a white scarf. Both men and women are draped in streamers and have flour on their faces.

This list mentions only a few of the many dances that you can see during your visit to Cusco. Discover them on your travels to this wonderful city and while you are there, visit Machu Picchu aboard our PeruRail Vistadome train! Get your tickets here.