Ollantaytambo in TIME 2023: Redefining the Sacred Valley
We were thrilled to see Ollantaytambo included in TIME’s “World’s Greatest Places 2023” series — and even more honored to see Las Qolqas recognized within that story.
In the piece, author Stacey Lastoe reframes Ollantaytambo not just as a pit stop on the way to Machu Picchu, but as a vibrant destination in its own right. Among the features that set this town apart, the article highlights:
- Sustainable and experiential lodging: your spa, nestled by the Urubamba River, is named as a “perfect antidote after a day trekking” — a nod to how nature and rest are woven into your guest experience.
- Culinary homage to the land: TIME notes your commitment to farm-to-table Andean cuisine, alongside other local restaurants, as part of the region’s emerging identity in gastronomy.
- Trekking and immersion: the article mentions the trail to Pumamarca, and how expanses of farmland and hills invite exploration from your property outward.
- Community & sustainable tourism: the piece also calls out new local initiatives to support indigenous villages, and mentions that nearby properties (like El Albergue) embrace farming and local integration as part of their hospitality ethos.
What This Mention Means to Us
When a respected publication like TIME spotlights Ollantaytambo — and names Las Qolqas among its distinguishing features — it validates what we’ve believed all along:
- The Sacred Valley deserves to be lived in, not just passed through.
- Luxury can harmonize with nature, especially when design, food, and wellness follow the land’s own language.
- Community and culture are indispensable. Guests coming to Ollantay should meet local hands, taste local flavors, and walk local trails.
This kind of recognition energizes us. It encourages us to keep refining, deepening, and growing in harmony with the region.
Read the full article here.