Aguas Calientes
From MaxTravelz
Machu Picchu pueblo (or Aguas Calientes as it is mistakenly called according to the locals) is a small town at the bottom of the valley next to Machu Picchu. All visitors to Machu Picchu go through this town. And as you might expect it's very, very touristy.
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Get in
The only way to get to Aguas Calientes is by train or helicopter. Peru Rail departs from Cuzco twice daily. The journey through the Sacred Valley takes about 4 hours. Tickets should be bought in advance at the trainstation on Av Garcilaso in Cuzco.
There is a local train which leaves from Ollantaytambo at 8pm, which has a backpackers coach. It leaves from Aguas Calientes back to Ollantaytambo at 5:45am. This is currently the cheapest way in. A return ticket cost US$44 and should be bought in advance.
If you're on a budget, or just adventurous, it's possible to hike up the railway tracks from Ollantaytambo (44kms) or Santa Theresa (3 hours). To reach Santa Theresa, take a local bus to Santa Maria from Cuzco or Ollantaytambo. It leaves Ollantaytambo at around 10 o'clock every day. I'd recommend getting the bus in Cuzco, as it'll probably be full by the time it gets to Ollantaytambo. Spending eight hours in the passageway between unwashed Peruvians is not the most pleasant experience. At Santa Maria, take a connecting bus to Santa Theresa. You'll probably have to spend the night here. The next morning, hitch a truck ride (2-3 soles) to the hydroelectric plant (plantacion hydroelectrica). From there, it's three hours of walking to Aguas Calientes through the beautiful Sacred Valley. Pick some bananas, soak your feet in a stream and wave to the tourist trains passing by.
Get around
The town is compact and there are few cars as there is nowhere really to go. At the end of town there are buses that will take you up the winding road to Machu Picchu.
See
Machu Picchu is the obvious thing to see.
Do
- Soak off four days of Inca Trail sweat in one of the hot springs for which the town is named.
Buy
There is a big market along the road to Machu Picchu, and a big handicraft market in front of the railway station.
Eat
The town is full of pizza restaurants. There are few other non-pizza options though.
I found sticking to pizza and lasagna is a safe diet. I tried Alpaca, and although it looked and smelled and tasted yummy yummy, about three hours later I started throwing up all night. Probably not used to the germs or something.
The smaller restaraunts up the hill from the park will often offer twice the food at half the price than the larger establishments. And the quality is usually the same.
Drink
Many bars try to lure in costumers with 4 for 1 happy hours lasting the whole evening. Beware that the price is fourfold of the normal prices in Cuzco.
Signs warn that it is not allowed to sell and/or consume alcoholic beverages after 11pm. However it's not too hard to find a place to drink some beers after this time.
Sleep
There are many sleeping options in Aguas Calientes. There is one very expensive hotel right next to the Machu Picchu entrance.
- Hotel Los Caminantes - Avenida Imperio de los Incas 140. +51 8421-1007. Has 28 rooms, doesn't accept credit cards.
- Gringo Bill's - Colla Raymi 104 (Plaza de Armas). + 51 84 21 1046 (+51 8424-1545 for reservations
- Wiracocha Inn - Calle Wiracocha S/N 084-211088 wiracocha-inn@perú.com. Clean rooms, friendly owners, fair prices, and the river will lull you to sleep every night. We had no trouble leaving our bags here while exploring the ruins.
Get out
| This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow! |