Aguas Calientes, the final train station for Machu Picchu
In Aguas Calientes everything will become magical, including your experience there. This colorful town, located at 2,050 meters above sea level, is surrounded by a beautiful river and immense mysterious mountains.
Within this town, you will find the Putucusi mountain, one of the favorite activities of the adventurers, which is 2,570 meters high. Although it crosses a little signposted path and the journey takes approximately two and a half hours, you can enjoy a view of the Inca City of Machu Picchu from a little known angle. Don’t forget to wear hiking shoes and water for the road.
Agua Calientes River Machu Picchu
If you want to continue acclimating to the arrival in Machu Picchu, you can visit the handmade market of Aguas Calientes. It is one of the favorite places of several tourists, because here you will find a wide variety of crafts and utensils. Remember! Due to the proximity to the Citadel of Machu Picchu you will find a variety of prices.
To relax before climbing to Machu Picchu, we recommend you visit the thermal baths. Small pools of natural hot water where the temperature varies from 40º (100ºF). at 45 ° C. (114ºF). These waters are attributed healing properties in the treatment of diseases of all kinds. To get there you will have to go through the highest part of the town and you can arrive following the avenue of Hermanos Ayar de Aguas Calientes.
Aguas Calientes Hot Springs or Thermal Baths in Machu Picchu
If what you are looking for is to acclimatize yourself, but also to know a bit of history, we invite you to make a stop at the Manuel Chávez Ballón Museum that exhibits tools, ceramics, textiles, stone utensils that were unearthed from the Inca City. You can find it on the Hiram Bingham road that leads to Machu Picchu at kilometer 112.
At night you can enjoy restaurants, bars, discos and hotels. You will find different options between price and quality, as in the supply market of Aguas Calientes.
Do not stay without enjoying Aguas Calientes! Despite being a small town, if you do not have a defined plan before arriving in Machu Picchu, you will surely find several plans for all types of ages.