The Ollantaytambo Archaeological Park —an enormous Inca construction located in the heart of the Sacred Valley in Cusco region— was chosen as one of the 50 best places to visit around the world this year by the prestigious international magazine Time.
In an article published in the magazine’s digital version, the author, Stacey Lastoe, affirmed that Ollantaytambo is the Sacred Valley’s new gem.
“No longer just a stopover on the way to Machuhpicchu, this vibrant village in the Sacred Valley is a destination in its own right, thanks to crowd-free ruins (including an Inca fortress); sustainable accommodations modeled after glamping grounds (eco lodge Las Qolqas’ indoor/outdoor spa along the Urubamba River is the perfect antidote after a day trekking the famous Lost City); and local restaurants featuring Andean dishes highlighting the region’s produce and flavors,” Lastoe wrote.
“Llamas roam freely in the hills along a roughly eight-mile trek to the Pumamarca ruins (at 11,142 ft., the panoramic views reveal the village below and seemingly endless lush farmland), easily accessed from the grounds of Las Qolqas […] Guided tours led by knowledgeable locals can be arranged by hotels and inns, including the 100-year-old El Albergue, where guests are invited to get their hands dirty on the on-site farm, which produces corn, quinoa, and potatoes,” she added.
Additionally, the U.S. magazine highlights that Starlodge Adventure Suites —a short train ride from the center of town— debuted last year, giving visitors the chance to sleep in a capsule in the mountains for a real adrenaline rush.
“And a new initiative endeavoring to assist Indigenous villages with responsible tourism development is well positioned to make Ollantay (as the locals call the village) another Sacred Valley star,” the article reads.
How were the 2023 World’s Greatest Places chosen?
The magazine explained that in order to compile this list of the top spots to visit this year, TIME solicited nominations of places from its international network of correspondents and contributors, with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences.
The result was 50 far-flung and familiar spots, from Giza and Saqqara in Egypt, where the long-delayed Grand Egyptian Museum is finally revamped and reopened, to the gastronomy hot spot of Dijon, France.
“Some of the destinations are enforcing more sustainable tourism practices to protect their natural beauty; Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia is moving toward allowing only one foreign visitor per local resident. Others are thriving, growing, and changing, like the city of Medellin, Colombia,” the Time Magazine said.