June 24, 2019
Our last stop was Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo is set on the Urubamba River and is known for the ruins at the end of town. Big cobbled stones line the perfect rectangular grid of narrow streets. The village’s old town is an Inca-era grid of cobblestoned streets and adobe buildings. Ollantaytambo mixes the best of the Incan and Hispanic architectures.
Ollantaytambo was the estate of Emperor Pachacuti who built the ceremonial center and town. During the Spanish conquest in Peru, Manco Inca Yupanqui, the leader of the Inca resistance, used it as a fortress. It was the only place in Peru where, in 1536, the Inca repelled the Spanish army. The Spanish returned with more forces and the Inca retreated to Vilcabamba. Jacob and Jack did the climb but Allan and I passed. It was a difficult climb and late in the day. We explored the ground-level structures and fountains.
