OLLANTAYTAMBO , Peru ( CNN ) -- Stand anywhere in the Peruvian town of Ollantaytambo and look up . If your eyes do n't fix on a magnificent Andes mountain peak , then you will surely be looking at one of the Incan ruins in the immediate area . Ollantaytambo offers spectacular views of a charming village , ancient ruins and magnificent mountains . No need to worry about a crick in your neck ; the view at eye level is just as pretty . There are no neon signs , no hotels or restaurants with names that you will recognize , just charming local businesses set on cobblestone streets . Narrow chutes frame the streets and carry water from the mountaintops through town , toward the railroad tracks , and into the Urubamba River . The locals are easily recognized in their brightly colored hand-woven clothing -- bright blue , orange and red shirts and skirts -- as they go about their daily business , whether tending the nearby fields or guiding a mule carrying firewood . When planning a trip to the area 's star attraction -- the mountaintop Incan ruins of Machu Picchu -- this gem of a town in Peru 's Sacred Valley is not to be missed . The Sacred Valley is the area between Cusco -- the historic capital of the Incan Empire and the tourism gateway -- and Machu Picchu , which was recently voted one of the new seven wonders of the world . Typically , visitors who plan to stay overnight in the Sacred Valley are trying to adjust to the altitude before heading to the higher and larger city of Cusco . Acclimating to elevations of more than 11,000 feet above sea level is a good reason to head directly down to the valley after arriving at the Cusco Airport , but the tiny town called Ollantaytambo is another great reason to set aside at least a couple of your vacation days . Ollantaytambo is one of those rare places where you 'd rather look at the beauty through the naked eye than through the lens of a camera . The camera just does n't seem to capture the `` wow '' factor . During the dry season from April to October , the sky between the surrounding peaks is often a piercing azure blue . But visitors ca n't be expected to stand on a street corner taking in the view all day , and thankfully , there is plenty to do in this old Incan village . The main attraction , the Ollantaytambo Ruins , a former Incan fortress , attracts busloads of day trippers that unload by the market . From down the street , you can see the tourists climbing the many terraces that , during Incan times , were used for agriculture and decorative purposes . The highest point on the hill is where you will find the unfinished Temple of the Sun . On tours , visitors learn that these ruins were built in the shape of a llama , and guides will point out the face of the Incan sun god carved on the side of the neighboring mountain . You need to purchase a ticket to visit this site . Across town are other Incan sites , also visible from the town 's cobblestone corners , where you can hike up to the ruins free of charge . There are many nice walks around the town , and the local museum has a display on the wall that lists the time they should take and the area to cover . If you want a break from the ruins , try white-water rafting , mountain climbing or horseback riding . And if you ca n't get enough of the natural beauty , opt for a bicycle trip down the Ambra Malaga Pass . Bicycle trip organizers will drive you up and drop you off on an asphalt road at about 14,000 feet above sea level , and you ride -- or really glide -- down on bicycles . Make sure your body has acclimated to the altitude of Ollantaytambo , which is about 9,186 feet , before you embark on this tour . The ride offers great views of the snow-capped Mount Veronica , and you 'll see livestock grazing and patches of land being tended by farmers . The entire trip takes from three to four hours and costs about $ 40 per person . Once you have worked up an appetite , you can easily find a good meal in Ollantaytambo . A hearty local dish , lomo saltado , is served in most restaurants . This Peruvian dish is a stir fry that includes steak tidbits , white rice , french fries , onions and tomatoes in a brown gravy . If lomo saltado is n't adventurous enough for you , try alpaca or cuy ( guinea pig ) . You can wash your meal down with a Pisco sour , the national drink in Peru , made with Pisco brandy , sugar , lemon juice and an egg white . There are enough restaurants to choose from , and in some establishments , the food is as good as the fancy places you will find in Cusco . There are several trains a day between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu , so it 's feasible to do a day trip to visit the main attraction . It 's about a two-hour drive to get to Ollantaytambo from the airport or Cusco 's city center , and it costs no more than $ 30 U.S. by taxi . Buses are available and cost a lot less . Whether you take the bus , train or taxi , consider a stop in this impressive Incan town as you check the nearby world wonder off your list .
In Ollantaytambo , Peru , you can see magnificent mountains and Incan ruins . Comment: Nearby , you can go white-water rafting , mountain climbing or horseback riding .