Aguas Calientes Machu Picchu
James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.
Last Updated on April 28, 2021 by James Bustamante
Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu pueblo is the small town at the base of Machu Picchu. It is where most travelers will end up spending at least one night before heading out to the Machu Picchu hike the following morning.
The History of Aguas Calientes
Aguas Calientes , also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo is a town that can be found at the foot of Machu Picchu Ruins. It was settled by a few farm families in 1901 and was transformed into a railway worker’s camp called Makinachayuq when construction began on the railroad in the 1920s. The town was the central hub for worker lodging and their equipment up until the railway was finished in 1931.
What is Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu?
Aguas Calientes today is a small town in the cloud forest of Peru. Today this old railroad worker’s camp is a tourism hub. Travelers coming from Urubamba, Cusco via train will all arrive into Aguas Calientes before eventually heading to the Inca citadel.
Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu is full of hotels, hostels, souvenir shops, tour agencies, and all varieties of restaurants. There are also drug stores, clothing shops, street vendors, and several other establishments.
Where is Aguas Calientes?
Aguas Calientes is a small town that is dependent on the tourism industry. It is located in the Urubamba River Valley, in southeast Peru. Aguas Calientes is known for its thermal hot springs and as the town that allows you to reach the nearby Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. Its approximate elevation is 6,692 feet (2,040 meters above sea level).
What Can I do in Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu?
Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu is quite literally cut off from the rest of the world. The only way to reach the small town is either by taking the train or by taking a multi-day hike like the Salkantay trek or 2 day Inca trail. You can however find a variety of things to do during your brief stop in this small town.
Some people like to think of it as a forced tourist trap with expensive pricing on souvenirs and water bottles. In reality, it is more of a quaint destination that forms part of the whole Machu Picchu Travel experience.
It’s cut off from all roads, enclosed by cliffs and several miles of lush green rainforest. Photographing the scenery should be your first activity.
Aguas Calientes Hot Springs
There are some famous hot springs you should visit. The name “Aguas Calientes” literally translates to “hot water” which is a reference to the hot thermal waters. They can be found around a 10-minute walk up Pachacutec street, from the train tracks.
These natural thermal springs, from which Aguas Calientes derives its name, are great if you’re hoping to relax before you continue your journey. It is a common attraction for hikers coming in from the Salkantay Trek since it offers a relaxing environment that’s good for aching muscles. It is said that the mineral content in these hot springs has medicinal properties.
Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Tourists usually spend at least one night in Aguas Calientes. The following morning you can get early access to the citadel before embarking on the much-awaited Machu Picchu Hike .
The Consettur bus service has a station in Aguas Calientes. This station is the set-off point before going up to the Inca citadel. There are buses that leave every 20 minutes and it takes around 20 -25 minutes to reach the top of the mountain. If you are visiting during the rainy season it might take 2 minutes longer due to the slippery roads.
The Train Station in Aguas Calientes
Aguas Calientes also serves as a terminal for the PeruRail passenger train service from Cusco, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo. Both tourists and locals alike use this transportation method when arriving from the surrounding villages to visit Machu Picchu.
Shopping for Souvenirs
There are plenty of souvenirs and trinkets to be found near the train station. We suggest that you do not spend a lot of money buying souvenirs. It is always a good idea to support the local businesses however, remember that most of what you’ll find will have a bit of markup in comparison to Cusco or other places you will visit.
The Hydroelectric Plant and Museum
The Central Hydroelectric Plant (Hidroelectrica) is nearby at the Urubamba River. It generates about 90 MW for the regions of Cusco, Puno, and Apurimac. If you’re looking for a bit of culture, most people don’t know that there is a museum in Aguas Calientes dedicated to Machu Picchu. Its official name is the Museo (Museum) de Sitio Manuel Chavez Ballon and is named after archaeologist at Machu Picchu, Manuel Chavez Ballon.
The museum is located just beyond the point where the busses turn to begin the climb up to Machu Picchu and the only way to get there is by walking. When you book your Machu Picchu reservations, you can buy a combination ticket that will also get you into the museum.
Conclusion
There you have it, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu is basically a stopover to relax and take in the sights of the cloud forest before going on to the truly magnificent Machu Picchu. It should not, however, be overlooked as it is the central hub for all tourists and is a potential meeting place for new friends and travelers alike. Not to mention that the elevation and temperatures are quite pleasant as well. This is particularly important if you have just come from Cusco which is dry and the elevation is quite a bit higher.
For more information on Aguas Calientes or any of our Peru tour packages contact us at [email protected] and one of our travel advisers will be ready to assist you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu
Aguas Calientes is around 2.5 hours from Cusco. The regular route though is to take a 45 minute drive to Ollantaytambo train station and then take a 1.5 hour train ride to Aguas Calientes.
Yes. Aguas Calientes is a hub for anyone going to Machu Picchu so it is a very well guarded and safe place Both by the locals as well as the Peruvian Government.
Yes. Aguas Calientes is at 2,040 meters above sea level, that’s 6,692 feet above sea level. Cusco is considerably higher up at 3,399 meters above sea level, that’s around 12,000 feet.
This depends on the method of travel. If you take the shuttle service the time of travel will be of 20 minutes. If you decide to walk up to the Machu Picchu the it will take about 2.5 hours in total.
No. Overall Aguas Calientes has very inexpensive lodging, however if you need to buy souvenirs we would suggest doing some in Pisaq or Cusco.
It is located in an area called “Cloud Forest” which is the meeting point of rainforest and highland terrain. The located is at a lower elevation than Cusco and past the Sacred Valley.
