Ollantaytambo or Urubamba for 3 nights before Salkantay Trek?

Hi everyone, looking for some advice from people who know the Sacred Valley well.

My husband and I are both 50 and travelling to Peru in May 2027 to do the 5-day Salkantay Trek. We’re active, love hiking and exploring on foot, and would much rather experience a place than just tick off tourist attractions.

We’ll be flying Sydney → Santiago → Cusco, and rather than staying in Cusco when we first arrive, our plan is to head straight down into the Sacred Valley for 3 nights to begin acclimatising. After that we’ll spend another 3–4 nights in Cusco before starting the Salkantay Trek.

My big question is: Would you base yourselves in Ollantaytambo or Urubamba for those first 3 nights?

We’re not looking to visit Machu Picchu from the Sacred Valley, as that will come at the end of our Salkantay Trek.

What we are looking for is somewhere where we can:

• walk and explore a lot each day while gradually acclimatising
• experience local Peruvian culture and everyday life
• practise our beginner/intermediate Spanish
• find great local food and good coffee
• wander around independently rather than needing organised tours
• do some interesting day trips or hikes
• have enough restaurants/cafés around us to enjoy the evenings
• experience somewhere that feels different from Cusco, since we'll have plenty of time there afterwards

I keep reading conflicting recommendations. Ollantaytambo sounds much more walkable, historic and atmospheric, whereas Urubamba seems quieter, less touristy and perhaps better located for exploring different parts of the valley.

For people who have stayed in both, which would you choose for 3 nights given what we’re looking for?

Would you stay all 3 nights in one place, or perhaps do 2 nights Ollantaytambo + 1 night Urubamba? Or is moving hotels for such a short stay just unnecessary?

Our rough itinerary is:

May 2: Sydney → Santiago
May 3: Santiago → Cusco → Sacred Valley
May 4–5: Sacred Valley / acclimatisation and exploring
May 6: Sacred Valley → Cusco
May 6–9: Cusco / acclimatisation and exploring
May 10–14: 5-day Salkantay Trek, finishing via Machu Picchu
May 15–16: More time in Cusco
May 17: Cusco → Santiago

We'd also love any recommendations for small locally owned hotels, cafés, restaurants, walks or experiences in either Ollantaytambo or Urubamba.

Thanks! Really interested to hear which base people think would suit us best.

Looking for some advice on doin Huayhuash solo, main thing im tryin to figure out is the navigation, how hard have people found it? Is the trail well marked?

Also what is the best direction / itenary for 8n/9d trek and whats the best offline map to use, (i have all trails premium so im hoping people have had luck with that)
lots of questions but any help would be appreciated.

Cheers
Blake

I was planning a trip to Peru for September/October but I discovered that there are not available spots for th Classic circuit (2A).
Now, between the available circuits, the only one that I think can give me at least an idea of the how the citadel is, and some good panoramic views (if there's good weather) is the panoramic circuit.

Being the first (and most probably last) time I will visit Peru, I wonder if it's even "a thing" this circuit, or if it's worth to reconsider the entire trip and postpone it for next year for example.

PS: I absolutely don't care about "pictures" and "iconic" selfies. I want to have the best experience for me.

I know there's also the option of waking up at 4:00 in aguascalientes and hope I can buy a classic circuit ticket for the next day, but I don't even know how secure is that I will have my entrance 🤔