The international magazine Time has compiled a list of the 50 extraordinary places to visit in 2023, and a Peruvian destination could not be missing. Thus, the Ollantaytambo Archaeological Park in Cusco, one of the country’s tourist jewels, was included. The publication highlights, among its different qualities, that this mystical and millenary attraction has an endless number of activities that surprise its visitors.
“This is no longer just a stopover on the way to Machupicchu, this vibrant town in the Sacred Valley is a destination in its own right,” reads the Time magazine publication, emphasizing the fortress or ceremonial center, the sustainable accommodations, the gastronomy and its local inputs, as well as the beautiful scenery that can be seen from different points.
In addition to the accessibility of the hotels and restaurants, Time magazine also details the coexistence between nature and visitors in this sacred valley. For example, it explains about the balance between the tourists’ hikes to different destinations, such as Pumamarca, and how at each step they can observe the local fauna.
This is a new recognition for the Ollantaytambo Archaeological Park. In 2022, the prestigious publication Condé Nast Traveller, included this Peruvian destination in the list of the best places in the world to visit in 2023.
Historical value
According to several researchers, the origins of this destination date back to the Aymara culture, and the meaning of its name corresponds to “look down” or “viewpoint”. Later, with the predominance of the Quechua language in the area, it was given the name “Ullantay”. At this stage, when a tambo or lodge was built on the esplanade of the site, the name was adapted to Ullantay Tampu.
Its construction took place 3500 years ago, and it is believed that this place served as a fortress against the arrival of the Inkas. One of the most visited and surprising attractions is the Fuente de la Ñusta, made of a single stone and decorated in the shape of a portal.
