Introducing Aguas Calientes
Also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, this town lies in the deep valley below the ancient Inca ruins and enclosed by towering walls of stone and cloud forest. Sounds beautiful, doesn’t it? Trust us, it’s not: unplanned tourist development and perpetual construction makes this one of the ugliest, most exploitative towns you’ll run across anywhere in Peru. However, all travelers to and from Machu Picchu must pass through here. There’s only one good reason to stay overnight, though: to avoid being engulfed by the hordes of day-trippers arriving from Cuzco by train each morning. Only those who sleep here get to catch the first morning bus up the mountain to Machu Picchu and stay at the ruins until late afternoon, when the tour crowds magically vanish.
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Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: machu picchu
by oldgaltrvlr 13 September 2011
Hi. We just got back from Macchu Picchu Sunday 11'9'2011, did it ourselves no problem. You do need to buy a ticket into Macchu Picchu…
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RE: From Cusco to La Paz (4 days - what to see)
by IncaKola 13 September 2011
Agree with most of the things dorl7 wrote. If time is short one day should be enough in Lima but don't discard a good meal in Lima/Miraflor…
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Re: Machu Picchu Trek
by jacquiewhitt 12 September 2011
November is beautiful time of year to travel this place. I hiked the Classic Inca Trail with a group of friends. We did not see many…
