Visiting Machu Picchu Pueblo

Visiting Machu Picchu Pueblo We will talk abouth for Aguas Calientes town or Machu Picchu Pueblo contains everything you need to know about when to visit, what to do, buses to Machu Picchu, restaurants and more. Aguas Calientes is the closest town to Machu Picchu. Just 5.5 miles (9 km) down the mountain from Machu Picchu, you’ll visit the town at some point in your journey either in transit or during an overnight stay.Local restaurants, hotels and shops have one mission: to serve the more than 1 million people that visit Machu Picchu each year.

Overview:

Many people ask us when visiting Machu Picchu Pueblo if Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu Pueblo are the same place, and if you are one of them, the answer is yes. The formal name of the town is Machu Picchu Pueblo and was given by Law № 9396 in the year 1941.

On the other side, Aguas Calientes is the name of the river which goes through the village besides rivers Alcamayo and Vilcanota or Urubamba and has among its many attractions, a very relaxing thermal waters. The town is small, so you will reach almost any place walking.

How to Get to Aguas Calientes

To get to the town of Aguas Calientes we do not have many options, this due to the mountainous geography limits access to this isolated region of Peru so much and the only options to get to Machu Picchu Pueblo are by train or trekking.

There are no paved roads from the Sacred Valley or Cusco, so you cannot hire a taxi, drive your car, or take a bus to Aguas Calientes.

Train Service

Most travelers arrive at Aguas Calientes by train ride through stunning Andean scenery. Routes range from 3+ hours from Poroy and 1.5+ hours from the Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo Village).

For many passengers, the scenic train to Machu Picchu and pleasant onboard entertainment are highlights of their trip. From Ollantaytambo, the train to Machu Picchu continues through a narrow section of the Sacred Valley covered in lush green vegetation all the way to Aguas Calientes.

Tickets for the train are in high demand during May, June, July and August in the high dry season. Consequently, tickets regularly sell out several days if not weeks in advance. Buying your tickets upon arrival is not recommended, especially if your time in Peru is limited, because the dates and departure times you desire might not be available.

Train Routes and schedules

PeruRail company operates the service to Aguas Calientes from the train stations in Cusco, Poroy, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley.

Inca Rail is another company that provides on-board services alongside PeruRail.

The following table lists the time it takes to travel by train from the stations of Cusco, Poroy, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo to the Machu Picchu Train Station (also known as the Aguas Calientes Train Station).

Departure Point	Train Station	Time to Aguas Calientes
Cusco	San Pedro Station	~4 hours
Cusco	Poroy Station	~3 hours
Sacred Valley	Urubamba Station	~2 hours
Sacred Valley	Ollantaytambo Station	~1.5 hours

Treks to MachuPicchu

Treks to Machu Picchu Taking a trek to Machu Picchu is your second option for arriving to Aguas Calientes. The Inca Trail is iconic because it is the only trek that ends at the Sun Gate entrance of Machu Picchu.

A few Inca Trail alternatives include Lares, Salkantay, Vilcabamba, Ancascocha and Choquequirao, which are treks that do not end by hiking directly into the ruins. Instead, the trekking and camping portion concludes on the second to last night of the tour package. After a final night in one of the Aguas Calientes hotels, the trekkers take the shuttle bus up to the main entrance of Machu Picchu and tour the site.

Inca Trail Options

Inca Trail Options

Compare the following trekking package itineraries for the 4-day Inca Trail vs the 2-day Inca Trail.

	4-Day Inca Trail	2-Day Inca Trail
Itinerary & Distance	4 days of trekking, 30 miles (42 km) total	Day 1 trek (7 mi \| 11 km) to Machu Picchu + Day 2 tour of Machu Picchu
Permit Required	+ Inca Trail permits must be secured in advance. + Only 500 daily permits are available. + No permits in February. Inca Trail is closed for maintenance.
Machu Picchu Arrival	On foot through the Sun Gate, followed by a tour of Machu Picchu on the same day.	On Day 1, on foot through the Sun Gate. Then, for the guided tour on Day 2, take the bus shuttle from Aguas Calientes to the main entrance.
Camping or Hotels	All 3 nights camping	1 night at a hotel in Aguas Calientes (No camping)

Aguas Calientes Facts

Name: Aguas Calientes was renamed Machu Picchu Pueblo or Machu Picchu Town a few years ago.
Altitude: 2,040 meters (6,692 ft) above sea level.
Striking: There are no vehicles at Aguas Calientes! (except the busses that take you to Machu Picchu).
Setting: The Urubamba River surrounds the village and impressive mountains that create a magical ambient.

Things to Do in Aguas Calientes

Mandor Gardens What to do in Agua Calientes? Fortunately, for those who are ‘stuck’ here for a couple of hours, there are some nice things to do in Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu town.

1. Mandor Gardens– Spectacular gardens, excellent opportunity to observe the amazing flora and fauna with waterfalls from nearby.
Open: 6 am – 5 pm
Tel: (+51) 940 188 155
Address: Mandor Valley – Machupicchu, Km. 114. 3, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Peru
Distance from Aguas Calientes: +/- 11 km (30 minutes by train).
Price: 2019: S/ 5 for Peruvians, S/ 10 for foreigners.
2020: S/ 10 for Peruvians, S/ 20 for foreigners, Peruvian students: S/ 5, foreign students S/ 15.

2. The Butterfly House – Endless species of extraordinary butterflies!
Open: 8:40 am – 6 pm, best hours to visit: 9:30 am – 3 pm.
E-mail: mariposasdemapi@gmail.com
Tel: (+51) 977 543 974
Address: Carretera Hiram Bingham s/n
Distance from Aguas Calientes: +/- 1,2 km (5 min by car).
Price: 2019: S/ 10 for Peruvians, S/ 15 for foreigners.
Children under the age of 6: free, above 6: S/ 5 (nationals and internationals).

3. Hot Springs – Indulge in these relaxing baths, consisting of warm water from volcanic source, with temperatures around 40° C. Bring your swim suit!
Open: 5 am – 8 pm
Address: Av. Pachacutec
Distance from Aguas Calientes: +/- 7 minutes walking from main square.
Price: Around 10 PEN per person.

4. Museo de Sitio Manuel Chavez Ballon– Small but interesting Museum with detailed information about the Inca citadel.
Open: 9 am – 4:30 pm
E-mail: museodesitiomapi@drc-cusco.gob.pe
Address: Altura del Antiguo Puente Ruinas Km. 112 vía ferrea
Distance from Aguas Calientes: +/- 1,7 km (7 min by car).
Price: Adults: around 22 PEN, students: around PEN 11.