Boleto turistico
A boleto turistico is required for access to some of the sights in and around Cuzco. It can be bought at the Oficina Ejecutiva del Comité OFEC, Av Sol 103, Cuzco, ph: 227 037.
There are three different kind of tickets:
A full ticket valid for ten days and for all sites, 130 soles;
A student ticket ISIC sudentcard required as proof, 70 Soles;
A partial ticket, only valid for one day and a limited number of sites
The ticket gives access to the following sites in Cuzco: Santa Cataline Monastery, Museo Municipal de Arte Contemporáneo, Museo Historico Regional, Museo del Sitio del Qoricancha, Museo de Arte Popular, Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo Danzas Folklórico and Monumento Pachacuteq. And around Cuzco: Sacsayhuamán, Qénqo, Pukapukara, Tambomachay, Chinchero and the ruins of Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Tipon and Pikillacta.
Take a stroll through the town. There are still several houses dating back from Incan time.
Ruins of Ollantaytambo
ruins of largely religious significance, they doubled as the the last and largest defensive structures near the plains below where the Incas defeated the Spaniards in battle. Admission with boleto turistico can be purchased at entrance to ruins or 130 soles for just this site, 70 soles for students. Local guides can be hired in the market area below the ruins 20 soles. Or, do it yourself by purchasing the book most of the guides use, ¨Cuzco and the sacred valley of the Incas¨salazar and salazar which has an extensive section on Ollantaytambo. The book can be purchased in the market below the ruins 50 soles or in advance in Cuzco 35 soles. Neither the guides nor the guidebook discuss the battles, for information on this research on your own in advance. Tours focus largely on the unique architectural significance of the sun's rays on the cad face of the canyon wall and on the temple walls, the still functioning fountains, and the large stone operating table. Even if you're not an archeology buff or ruins fan, these are worth seeing. Beautiful views abound.Pinkullyuna
is the hill with Incan storehouses overlooking the town and facing the main ruins. To get to the path up to these ruins, follow the road closest to the base of the hill the rightmost one in the town grid when facing Pinkullyuna. You will see a small sign with an arrow pointing to a steep path, which takes you up to a series of ruins and storehouses. Admission is free, and from here you can see some of the most spectacular views of the Ollantaytambo ruins and town and the Urubamba Valley. It's a lovely hike, and can be done in just an hour or two. Some parts of the various path can be a little harrowing, especially the less oft used side paths all of these also lead to ruins that are less apparent. Go with a friend or at least make sure you let your hosts at the hostel know where you have gone in case something should happen.