Ollantaytambo is a town and an Inca archaeological site in southern Peru some 37 miles (60 kilometers) northwest of the city of Cusco. It is located at an altitude of about 9,000 ft.(2,792 meters) above sea level in the district of Ollantaytambo, province of Urubamba, Cusco region.
During the Inca Empire, Ollantaytambo was the royal state of Emperor Pachacuti who conquered the region, built the town and a ceremonial center. At the time of the Spanish conquest of Peru it served as a stronghold for Manco Inca Yupanqui, leader of the Inca resistance. It is an important tourist attraction since it is a starting point for the trip to Machu Picchu.