Aguas Calientes
- Address:Aguas Calientes
- Admission:Free
12:13 AM Saturday, May 26
Clear. Cool.
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If you're visiting Machu Picchu while you're in Peru - and why wouldn’t you? – there's a very good chance you'll pass through the small pueblo of Aguas Calientes en route. The gateway town to Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes is nestled in a valley of cloud forest below the famous Incan site.
Make Aguas Calientes your base if you want to tour Machu Picchu in depth. It has all the facilities of a well set-up service town for visitors, including a varied collection of hostels, cabins, eco-lodges and hotels.
As you'd expect, the pueblo also has a well-rounded selection of restaurants, with a choice of local and European cuisine, as well as a lively choice of bars.
While you're here, unwind for a spell in the town's natural hot spring baths, off the central Avenue Pachacutec. You could also browse the souvenir stalls set up near the train station.
Latest Reviews All Aguas Calientes Reviews »
The organisation of this trip was great and the local guide for Machu Picchu was wondferful. It was value for money and so easy to organise. Would highly recommend
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Every aspect of the day was taken care of--transportation to the train station, train tickets, bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, entrance and guided tour of Machu Picchu, and lunch. Normally, I like to do trips like this on my own, but when I saw what was involved, I decided to leave it to the experts. I wasn't disappointed. A great day!
PS--If you can do the Vistadome train, I highly recommend it. The traditional food they serve is very good and the windows on the top of the train are really nice to have as the scenery is beautiful.
Practical Info
Aguas Calientes is the closest point of access for Machu Picchu, only 6km (4 miles) away. From Cusco, it's around a three-hour train journey to Aguas Calientes aboard the scenic Vistadome rail service.
Buses travel hourly from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, around 20 minutes away.
