Sniffing sacred earth

Ollantaytambo is a very authentic Inca village. Here you can stroll between idyllic nature and picturesque streets and buy (real!) handicrafts to your heart's content. The weavers sit in central places with their looms and sell their goods. You don't find that everywhere. The village is flanked by ruins, one large, touristy, and easily accessible for tourists heading to Machu Picchu, and another more spectacular one that can only be reached via a narrow path. We actually wanted to do some hiking there, but the rainy season started earlier than usual in this region, so we weren't so keen. Visiting open graves and recognizing Inca head profiles in mountain slopes is a common leisure activity. Otherwise, we used the time there to relax a bit or drink craft beer at a local brewery. Unfortunately, it was a bit too IPA-heavy, very bitter.

This place is one of the few where the Incas won an important battle against the Spaniards by flooding the valley.