Welcome to Aguas Calientes
Also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, this town lies in a deep gorge below the ruins. A virtual island, it’s cut off from all roads and enclosed by stone cliffs, towering cloud forest and two rushing rivers. Despite its gorgeous location, Aguas Calientes has the feel of a gold=rush town, with a large itinerant population, slack services that count on one-time customers and an architectural tradition of rebar and unfinished cement. With merchants pushing the hard sell, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed. Your best bet is to go without expectations.
Top experiences in Aguas Calientes
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Aguas Calientes activities
Machu Picchu Full-Day All-Inclusive Guided Tour from Cusco
Receive an early-morning pickup from your hotel around 5:00am, driving to the train station in Ollantaytambo for the rail journey to the mysterious lost city of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu, walk to the bus stop for a short ride (25 minutes) up the hill to the Inca citadel. Spend the next two hours enjoying a guided walking tour, providing you with an overview of the key landmarks and history of this enigmatic Inca center. You will also have some extra time to explore this fascinating site on your own, relax, and take pictures. At the end of your visit, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch. Then board the train for the ride back to the train station in Ollantaytambo. Here you will receive a drop-off back at your hotel in Cusco.P.S: Train times may change according the booking time and will be provided according the train company timetable availability.Important note about Machupicchu: The Peruvian Ministry of Culture changes the rules to Visit Machupicchu and split into 2 entrance times. • AM Entrance, from 6 am – 12 pm. • PM Entrance, from 11 am – 17.30 pm.Visitors must leave the site within the time frame stated, and can not re-enter once visitors have left the site. Visitors and guides who don’t enter and leave within the time frame stated, will be assisted to the exit by the competent authorities! You have been warned. • For the full day tour, the start time counts from the moment we make the check-in in Machupicchu. Thant means if we enter at 9:am, we can be in the park until 13:00pm which is enough time to visit the Amazing Machupicchu.
Cusco to Machu Picchu Inca Jungle Trail 4-Day Adventure Tour
Day 1: Cusco - Abra Malaga - Huamanmarka - Santa Maria (L) (D)You will be picked up at 6am and then go to the Sacred Valley to the town of Ollantaytambo. Take a short break and then continue to the highest point (4,316 meters or 14,156 feet) at Abra Malaga. Here you will receive protective equipment and bike with full suspension. The guide will give an explanation of security and then start downhill biking for about 3 hours or 55 km. In this part you see and feel the temperature change. The town of Marka Huaman marks the end of your descend and from this part you will continue aboard a van to the town of Santa Maria. Optional activity: RaftingDay 2 : Santa Maria - Quellomayo - Cocalmayo - Santa teresa (B) (L) (D)The second day you'll wake up early and after breakfast you'll begin to walk the Inca Trail with a varied vegetation of different fruits like oranges, pineapples, coffee and coca plants. After 40 minutes you'll reach the viewpoint of Huacarcasa from which you can see the valley of Santa Teresa and Santa Maria. After a break, you'll continue down to the small town of Quellomayo for lunch. After lunch you continue the walk to the thermal baths of Cocalmayo to relax in this beautiful place with swimming pools of different temperatures. You'll then walk to Santa Teresa and have dinner .Day 3 : Santa teresa - Hidroelectrica - Machu Picchu Town (B) (L) (D) This third day after breakfast you'll start walking from Santa Teresa to Hydroelectrica. This hike is approximately 3 hours long and follows the banks of the river to Hydroelectrica place. Here, you'll have lunch and then continue walking for 3 hours to the town of Aguas Calientes. Along the way you will see a lot of vegetation and a little mountain Machu Picchu. In Aguas Calientes you can enjoy dinner and rest. Optional Activity: ZiplineDay 4: Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco (B)Very early and after breakfast, you'll start to walk to the archaeological remains of Machu Picchu. There you'll enjoy a guided tour of approximately 2 hours. During this time the guide will show you the most important places and explain to you the history of Machu Picchu. After the guided tour, you have free time to explore the site and then you'll return to Cusco where the tour ends.
4 Day Inca Trail Cachicata
Enjoy the 4 day hike to Inca Trail Trek Cachicata, this trek involves 2 day hike to Cachicata and 2 day hike to short Inca Trail. We drive from Cusco to Pachar located in the Sacred Valley, arrive Huaroncondor to trailhead, here we will meet with muleteer and horses and we will prepare the camping equipment, then we climb up the stairs and visit to Huarocondor terraces. continue the trek to Raphcca, 2,900 m.a.s.l (9,514ft.) From here we hike up the valley, along the route we appreciate inka terraces, water channels, Quechua comunities and endemic flora and fauna. We follow an steep trail that eventually bring us to a tall waterfall where we can pause to refresh our body and mind. Walking further, we visit the little known Inka site of Corimarca, our first campsite. the next day We climb across open meadows, reaching a zone of high altitude shrubland known as Puna, approaching the pass of Chancachuco 4,400 m.a.s.l (14,435ft). This part of the trek offers panoramic views of the highest peaks in Cusco region. Our route continues across a high plateau, we pass mountain lakes where we may see andean and wetland birds, descending to Qeuñacancha, 4080 m.a.s.l (13,385ft).We hike downhill following the trail until we join the Inka water channel which comes from Maracocha lake, from here we reach the temple call Intiwatana, which is located on the edge of the mountain called Apu Alambre, in front of the Veronica snow peak. Then we continue downhill to Choquetacarpo an archaeological site, which was most likely the residence of architects who managed the Inca quarries and performed ceremonies at Intipunku, after lunch we wend our way downward, exploring different sectors of one of the biggest Inka quarries, where massive carved blocks of pink rhyolite lie scattered in disarray. The quarried stones, testimony to a great building project that was never finished and were destined for the Inka site of Ollantaytambo. Spend a night in a camping in small town. the third day continue the hike will arrive to Inca Ollantaytambo archeological village and ruins, where you will take the train to Inca Trail, you will walking up to Wiñaywayna. During this hike you will enjoy the nature of the Andean highlands spend a night in Aguas Calientes town. On the fourth day we reach Machu Picchu through the sun gate, and you have time explore the site on your own. If you like you can meet up with the rest of the group and have lunch in the picturesque town of Aguas Calientes. It takes an hour on foot to get to town. It’s a lovely descending walk in which you have the chance to take some beautiful pictures. Alternatively you can take the shuttle bus. Then you take the train back from Aguas Calitentes to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco
Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 2 days with hotel
ItineraryDay 1: SHORT INCA TRAIL 2 DAYS Stop At: Cusco Cathedral, Cusco, Cusco RegionHiking the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a fantastic option for those who don't have the time or desire to hike the full length of the Inca Trail. With beautiful scenery, a wide variety of flora and fauna on display and a visit to the Inca Trail's most beautiful site (Wiñay Wayna), you get to enjoy the all the best bits of the Inca Trail condensed in to a one day walk. Covering a distance of just 10km / 6.3 miles, the 2 day Inca Trail is not too challenging which makes it perfect for families with children and those on a tight schedule. For Head Expedition Peru there are 2 very important things, the environment and the family, and we know that if you join the 2, such a wonderful experience as this can multiply exponentially its beauty.Duration: 12 hoursMeals included: • DinnerAccommodation included: we work with 3 star hotels. If you want a higher category, just tell us to reserve it.Day 2: Machupicchu - CuscoStop At: Cusco Cathedral, Cusco, Cusco RegionWe will have breakfast and then take the first bus (5:30am) up to Machu Picchu. A walking tour (2 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. If you have energy, you can also climb Huayna Picchu (2720m/8890ft)! (It takes about 45 minutes to reach the top.) You will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes (it can be reached by bus or on foot) for lunch and be given your train tickets back to Cusco (Bus transfer from Ollantaytambo). The train usually leaves between 2:30pm and 6pm depending on Peru Rail's allocations and availability (to be confirmed). If desired, an extra night in Aguas Calientes can be arranged. Duration: 10 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.
1 Day Hike on the Inca Trail + 1 Day in Machupicchu: Private 2 days Tour
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productDAY 1: ROYAL INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHUTransfer to the Ollantaytambo Train Station to catch the train until the Km 104 (1:20 minutes train ride, altitude 8250 feet), where we start to hike - with wonderful landscapes of the Cloud Forest, its flora and fauna - on the Royal Inca Trail to Machupicchu visiting first the Inca remain of Chachabamba. Later we continue hiking up-hill for about 3 - 4 hours until getting, visiting the famous and fascinating Inca Citadel of Winayhuayna (8860ft.). The hike continues after lunch for 1 - 1 1/2 hours until Inti Punku (Sun Gate, altitude 9050). From where we will have the first fantastic view of the "Holy City of the Incas": Machupicchu; the highlight of any trip to South America. Finally you hike downhill until Machupicchu (altitude 8000 feet) for 45 minutes. From Machupicchu you take a bus for 30 minutes to Aguas Calientes town (altitude 6600 feet) to overnight. (B, Bx L)PLEASE YOU HAVE TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE FOR THIS HIKE, THE 3 - 4 HOURS UPHILL IT IS NOT EASYDAY 2: MACHUPICCHU - CUSCOEarly visit of Machupicchu; to spot the amazing sun rise and guided visit (2 1/2 hours) of the wonderful temples and palaces, later on your own you can take the optional hike to Huaynapicchu Peak (2 hours) & the temple of the Moon.If you want to hike to Montana Machupicchu ( 3 - 4 hours) or the Inca Bridge (1.5 hours); you will do it on your own before the guided tour of Machupicchu.Afternoon return to Ollantaytambo by train (1 1/2 hours) and transfer to the hotel.NOTE: You have to pay extra ($65 pp) if you are interested in climbing to Huaynapicchu or Montana Machupicchu and you have to let us know in advance, we must buy tickets ASAP, there is a short limit per day.Duration: 2 daysLocation: Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Cusco Region
5 Day - Inca Trail Express to Machu Picchu - Group Service
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productDay 1 ARRIVE IN CUSCO (PERU)After your arrival to Cusco, we will take you to the hotel and then join your guide for a briefing about the wonderful tour that awaits you. Today begin with a welcome tour of Cusco and enjoy the sights, of the capital of the Incas. You can enjoy the indigenous and colonial heritage then spend the remainder of the day at leisure “by exploring Cusco’s nightlife or sampling some of its many typical restaurants.Overnight at: Casa Andina Classic Cusco Plaza or Similar.Check in time 12:00pm/Check out 10:00 am (Early check in may have an extra cost depending on the hotel availability).OPTION 1: HALF-DAY CITY TOUR (Additional Price: USD 30 per person).We will pick you up at 1:00pm from your hotel to start the tour and visit the following places.The Koricancha: Temple of the sun.The Cathedral: Marvel of the religious art.Sacsayhuaman: Majestic place with impressive works in stone, some up to 120 tons.Q´enqo: (Labyrinth) a religious center dedicated to the adoration of the Earth.Puca Pucara: (reddish place) that was used as a military control center.Tambomachay: (Temple of the Water) a center of adoration and worship of water.Included:TransportationProfessional English speaking guide.Not included:Tourist ticket for entrance to attractions (extra USD 33)DinnerGratuityDay 2 OPEN DAY FOR LEISURE (BOPTION 3: FULL DAY SACRED VALLEY TOUR (Additional Price: USD 45 per person).After breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel at 8:00am. This is a full day excursion to the Urubamba Valley visiting the colorful Indian market in Pisac where you will be able to appreciate the mixture of color and tradition and have an opportunity to test your bartering skills, interact with the local craftsmen and purchase their hand-made souvenirs. Pisac is located at the entrance of the Sacred Valley. The Valley is (31km)/ (19mi) from Cusco, and at an altitude of (2,970m)/ (9,700 ft.). Followed by Pisac is Urubamba where we will have a lunch break to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch (not included) then we continue through to Ollantaytambo, the oldest continuously occupied town on the American continent. The narrow streets of Ollantaytambo, along with their canals, have not changed much from the time of the Inca Empire. They evoke their ancestral inheritance and give you a feeling of what it would be like to live during this time. The last visit will be the Chinchero market. Chinchero is believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Its major claim to tourism is its colorful Sunday market which is much less tourist-orientated than the market at Pisac. At the end, we will return you to the Plaza de Armas in Cusco at approximately 6:30 pm.Included:TransportationProfessional English speaking guide.Not included:Tourist ticket (extra USD 25)MealsGratuity.P.S: Tonight we will have the Inca trail briefing at 7:00pm at the hotel lobby.Overnight at: Casa Andina Classic Cusco Plaza or Similar.Day 3 CUSCO - WIÑAY WAYNA - MACHU PICCHUWe pick you up from your hotel at 5:00am (depending on train time) and take you to the train station. We travel by train, on a very picturesque route for two and a half hours until we reach kilometer 104 – the start of the trail for us. From here, we have a walk of about 4 hours up to the Incan site Wiñay Wayna ('Forever Young') (2680m/8792ft). You have joined the path in time to see the most impressive site on the whole Inca Trail!!Then, we will continue on to 'Inti Punku' ('Sun gate') (2730m/8792ft) from where you will have your first dramatic, panoramic view of Machu Picchu (2400m/7873ft). We will walk down the last part of the trail towards the ancient city itself. Before reaching Machu Picchu, we will take a side path off the trail to go down to Aguas Calientes, leaving the visit to Machu Picchu for the next day. In Aguas Calientes we'll have dinner and a much deserved rest so we're recharged and ready for Machu Picchu the next day.Overnight at: Casa Andina Classic Aguas Calientes, Machupicchu or SimilarDay 4 MACHU PICCHU TOUR – RETURN TRAIN TO CUSCOYou will have breakfast in your hotel and then your guide will pick you up at 5:40am. You will take the bus up to majestic Machu Picchu to catch the sunrise and begin your walking tour (two hours) with your guide. After this, you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. You will then meet your guide in Aguas Calientes by bus to have lunch and to receive your train tickets back to Cusco.Please, leave enough time to catch your train. It is a 25-minute bus ride from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes and buses leave when they are full. Make sure you are at the train station in good time (20 minutes before scheduled train departure).P.S: If you booked Waynapicchu, we will climb up this mountain after guided tour in Machupicchu. This is usually at 8:00am.Overnight at: Casa Andina Classic Cusco Plaza or SimilarDay 5 TRANSFER OUT, BYE CUSCO!After breakfast, we will take you back to the airport according your flight itinerary.END OF SERVICEDuration: 5 daysLocation: Valencia Travel - Day Tours, Cusco, Cusco Region