Ollantaytambo

First sight of the sacred valley from the collectivo bus took my breath away. I wasn't prepared for the sheer scale of the valley, the brilliant greens, the ruins dating from hundreds of years ago dotting the slopes glinting yellow in the sun's rays.

entering the sacred valley on the bus

Getting the bus was a challenge: I had to run the gauntlet of aggressive taxi drivers determined to force me into a cab. I literally had to swing my backpack at them to force my way pass and onto the collectivo. Once on, it was fine, and at 10 soles (£2.50) for a two hour ride, amazingly cheap.

I'd opted to spend one night in Ollantaytambo to have time to explore the vast archaeological ruins here. Despite being Sunday, when Peruvians go free, I had the place blissfully mostly to myself for hours.

Peering down into ollantaytambo

Pre inca observatory, the sun shines through the niches...

Sacred place where first rays of sun enter each morning

This place is home to the only 'living Inca city' which I think means the town itself is still functioning pretty much as it always did, with communal houses and communal kitchens full of livestock (Guinea pigs) ready for supper....

Guinea pigs ready for communal supper ! ( Not for me, obviously)

The ruins here date back to pre Inca times, and show evidence of changes done when the site was integrated into the Inca empire under Inca pachatuki. I climbed vertically through sun gates, temples, old fortress zones, past aqua chambers full of rushing water, and scrambled down past centuries old constructions.

Entering the Sun Gate

Heading up to the temple of the sun, ollantaytambo

Ancient ruins

It's another world from Cusco here. No Starbucks, no street lights  (I'm hoping the power holds!) I feel as if I've gone back in time. It does feel special in a way I can't describe, an awe inspiring sense just being in this sacred valley.