Quick Picks for Inca Water Channels

If you are in a rush, use this quick list to find the best water features. Ollantaytambo is quite compact and easy to walk. Most street channels are free to view. However, ceremonial fountains require a tourist ticket for entry.

• Best overall: Calle del Medio (Main Village)
• Best for families: Baño de la Ñusta (Ruins)
• Best free spot: Patacalle street grid
• Best for photos: The Water Temple (Ruins)

9 Best Spots to See Inca Water Channels

The layout of the town follows a grid of residential blocks called ayllus. Each block has access to the flowing water. Use this list to explore the best-preserved sections of the system.

1. Name: Calle del Medio
   Type: Sight
   Why go: This is the most famous street for seeing domestic water channels. The stone canals are deep and perfectly aligned with the cobblestones.
   Best for: Street photography and seeing daily life.
   Where: Central village, running parallel to the main plaza.
   Time: 20 minutes.
   Cost: Free.
   Getting there: Walk one block south of the Plaza de Armas.
   Tip: Watch your step, as the channels are narrow and easy to trip over.
2. Name: Baño de la Ñusta (Princess Bath)
   Type: Experience
   Why go: This is a masterwork of carved stone and hydraulic flow. It is a ceremonial fountain where water pours from a carved granite wall.
   Best for: Viewing intricate Inca masonry.
   Where: Lower section of the main archaeological site.
   Time: 15 minutes.
   Cost: Part of the Cusco Tourist Ticket.
   Getting there: Enter the main ruins and turn right toward the valley floor.
   Tip: Visit early in the morning to avoid the tourist bus crowds.
3. Name: The Water Temple
   Type: Sight
   Why go: It features multiple liturgical fountains used for water worship. The precision of the carved channels here is world-class. Explore this through a Ollantaytambo ruins visitor guide.
   Best for: History buffs interested in Inca religion.
   Where: Upper terraces of the main archaeological complex.
   Time: 30 minutes.
   Cost: Tourist Ticket required.
   Getting there: Climb the main terrace stairs at the ruins.
   Tip: Look for the "Pumatallis" terrace channels nearby.
4. Name: Calle Horno
   Type: Sight
   Why go: It shows how the water system turns corners and branches off. You can see the original stone dividers that split the water flow.
   Best for: Seeing the engineering logic of the grid.
   Where: Eastern side of the living village.
   Time: 15 minutes.
   Cost: Free.
   Getting there: A short 5-minute walk from the main square.
   Tip: This area is very quiet compared to the market.
5. Name: Patacalle
   Type: Sight
   Why go: This street remains almost exactly as the Incas built it. The water channels here are beautifully preserved and very clean.
   Best for: An authentic "time travel" experience.
   Where: North side of the Old Town.
   Time: 20 minutes.
   Cost: Free.
   Getting there: Walk toward the mountain base from the plaza.
   Tip: Locals still use this water for washing and cooling.
6. Name: Qosqo Ayllu
   Type: Neighborhood
   Why go: This entire neighborhood is a grid of water channels. It showcases the scale of urban planning.
   Best for: A long, leisurely walk.
   Where: The northern residential sector.
   Time: 45 minutes.
   Cost: Free.
   Getting there: Any street heading north from the main square.
   Tip: Visit at dusk when the town lights reflect in the water.
7. Name: Araqama Ayllu Fountains
   Type: Sight
   Why go: This area features larger, more public-facing fountains. It served as the entrance to the ceremonial center.
   Best for: Seeing different scales of stone carving.
   Where: Near the entrance of the main ruins.
   Time: 15 minutes.
   Cost: Included in ruins entry.
   Getting there: Walk to the end of the market stalls.
   Tip: This is a great place to fill up on site info.
8. Name: Pumatallis Terraces
   Type: Sight
   Why go: See how the Incas moved water uphill or across steep slopes. The irrigation channels here are technical marvels.
   Best for: Understanding ancient agriculture.
   Where: Facing the main archaeological site.
   Time: 30 minutes.
   Cost: Tourist Ticket required.
   Getting there: Accessible via the main ruin hike.
   Tip: Wear sturdy shoes for the steep stairs.
9. Name: Pinkuylluna Base
   Type: Day trip
   Why go: At the foot of the granary mountain, you can find drainage channels. These kept the storage units dry and protected. Learn more on the Pinkuylluna granaries hiking trail.
   Best for: Hikers and adventure seekers.
   Where: The mountain opposite the main ruins.
   Time: 1 hour (for the hike).
   Cost: Free.
   Getting there: Entrance is at the end of Calle La Convención.
   Tip: The climb is steep but offers the best aerial view of the town grid.

Planning Your Visit to Ollantaytambo

To see the most impressive water channels, you need the right tickets. Many of the ceremonial sites are inside the guarded archaeological zone. You must purchase the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turistico). You can buy this at the entrance of the Ollantaytambo District office or the ruins.

Respect the local residents while exploring the residential streets. These water channels are not just decorations. They are active utilities for the community. Avoid throwing trash or soap into the water. Most streets are narrow and have limited sidewalk space.

The best time to see the water systems is during the dry season. From May to September, the water is usually clear. During the rainy season, the channels can become quite muddy and fast-moving. However, the sound of the rushing water is even more powerful then.