General Information
The Town of Aguas Calientes Located on the banks of the Vilcanota River, between mountains that rise like green walls over 400 meters, this small town is a large open-air bazaar.
Also known as Machu Picchu town, Aguas Calientes is a charming district, located 110 kilometers from the city of Cusco. It is famous for serving as a sort of “gateway” to the famous citadel of Machu Picchu.
The district was founded in 1901 when a railroad was built destined to unite the people of Cuzco and Santa Ana. A camp was established in the area, 110 kilometers from Cuzco, with the idea of turning the place into the operations center machinery and heavy equipment of the rail project. Workers and their families end up settling in the area.
This little town is at just 30 minutes by bus to Machu Picchu and is the place for arriving by train from the imperial city, and people who want to visit the ruins. This has been contributed to development of tourist infrastructure in a remarkable way, taking advantage of the mountains and green landscapes of the area.
Weather
The weather in the town of Aguas Calientes is mild to warm. The average temperature is 16 ° C (60.5 ° F), in the months of November to March have enough rain, and the rest of year has a nice climate.
Getting to Aguas Calientes
Aguas Calientes is the town located at the base (down) of the hill where are found the ruins of Machu Picchu I mean if you want to get to the fabulous Inca ruins, first you will arrive to this town.
There are several options:
1. Take the train from Cusco Peru Rail to Aguas Calientes.
It’s the least economic and its real, the high cost of this train, currently around $ 100 round trip for the most economical Type of train (backpacker).
2. Take the Peru Rail train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
Here you can save a few bucks, from Cusco the economical price is $ 48, from Ollantaytambo (intermediate people) the cost is $ 34. To reach Ollantaytambo you can take a bus on the street pavitas that cost around 5 (five soles), takes about an hour and a half, or take other transportation that we used to call “combi “that would be s/ 10 (ten soles) aprox and take less time. It is recommended getting the train ticket at least with 8 hours in advance. You can make the purchase online at the Peru rail Web page by credit card, then print a voucher and take it to the company in Cusco in order to change it for the tickets.
For more information click on:
Train to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu Tickets
3. Make a trip with a travel agency
Contac a trusty agency (Like ours) in order to schedule a tour because they will have many things included. Such as transportation to the train stations of Poroy or Ollantaytambo, also at your hotel or place where you are staying in, of course the services include a tour guide, train tickets round trip, the entrances to the citadel and even in some cases a lunch. It would be an extra cost but it worthy and you will not have to worry about anything
*Please in case you need assistance click at the following link, it will be a pleasure to organize you the best trip ever!
peru_form.html
4. Adventure: Make the trip to Santa Maria, The Hydro.
This route is for the most adventurous, due to takes many turns, and is quite risky; especially on the section that you must walk 8km on the tracks. Some groups that made this path definitely do not recommended, although the cost is approx. S/60,
Very economical.
It is heard different versions of this journey. There are those who walked less by the way, and made other circuits. Anyway apparently, it is not the most convenient to do that.
Main attractions
Among its most important tourist attractions are the hot springs located 800 m from the village to which medicinal properties are attributed to them and give name to it.
Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
With more than 32 thousand hectares, the sanctuary of Machu Picchu has been recognized as World Cultural and Natural Heritage by UNESCO. Within its habitat is known that there are over 300 species of birds and over 200 kinds of orchids registered.
To reach these spectacular ruins of the Incas empire and admire its beauty, there are three ways: through the Inca Trail (which is a journey that can take hours or days depending on the starting point), by train or by helicopter.
For more information give a click at the link bellow
Travel to Machu Picchu
Hot springs
At 800 meters from the village of Aguas Calientes there are some hot springs that have medicinal properties. Indeed, the town’s name is because these sulfur waters from the bedrock. To get there is a steep trail with stairs that line the hills. The trail begins in the town of Aguas Calientes. For the difficult access, the hot springs are not accessible to people with restricted physical mobility, but people with minor disabilities can enjoy a relaxing bath. For convenience, the Municipality of Aguas Calientes has built special environments, such as dressing rooms, restrooms and cafeteria. Along the way there are a number of pubs and restaurants where you can enjoy the hospitality of local people and converse with visitors from all over the world.
The Main Square
The main square is home to several shops and restaurants, and in the centre is a statue of Inca Pachacutec, the greatest spiritual leader of the Incas and the builder of Machu Picchu. The town church is also located at the square.
Artisan Market
it is a local market where you can buy all kinds of crafts and handmade products. There is enough space between the stalls and the height to appreciate them in comfort from a wheelchair sale items. The surface of the ground floor is not asserted.
Tours
| Program | Duration | Highlights |
 MACHUPICCHU FULL DAY TOUR |
Full Day | Cusco, Sacred Valley of Urubamba, Aguas Calientes, Ciudadela of Machu Picchu |
 NEW CUSCO 4 DAYS |
4 Days and 3 Nights | Cusco, Koricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay, Machu Picchu,Aguas Calientes |
| NEW PISAQ & MACHUPICCHU 4 DAYS | 4 Days and 3 Nights | Cusco, Ruins of Pisac, Urubamba Valley, Ollantaytambo, Maras, Moray ruins, Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes |
| NEW PISAQ & MACHUPICCHU 5 DAYS | 5 Days and 4 Nights | Cusco, Ruins of Pisac, Sacred Valley of the Inkas, Ollantaytambo, Maras, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley of Urubamba, Aguas Calientes, Putukusi |
 CUSCO THE INCAS EMPIRE 5 DAYS |
5 Days and 4 Nights | Cusco, Koricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay, Urubamba Valley, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes |
| 6 Days and 5 Nights | Cusco, Moray, Maras, Salinas, Aguas Calientes, Mandor, Putukusi, Wayna Picchu, Intipunku, Machu Picchu | |
| MACHU PICCHU LIGHT ADVENTURE 6 DAYS |
6 Days and 5 Nights | Cusco , Horse Back riding to Cusco Ruins, Sacsayhuaman, Agus calientes, Machu Picchu. |
| CUSCO UNKNOWN 6 DAYS | 6 Days and 5 Nights | Cusco , Koricancha, Lares, Huacahuasi, Patacancha, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu |
 SALKANTAY ADVENTURE BUDGET 8 DAYS |
8 Days and 7 Nights | Cusco, Rafting, Salkantay, Soraypampa, Chaullay, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu. |
Shopping
There are dozens of shops selling traditional Indian and other items. The colors and works made by the artisans are beautiful. We suggest, be careful if you show any interest in an item you will find the seller to be quite polite but insistent. It is perfectly okay to bargain – just ask them what the price is and come in with something less but not insulting or in a rude way. If they can make a profit off of what you offered they will probably sell it to you. You walk right through the market as you leave the train station.
Many trading posts were established there on both sides of the railway, giving the impression that it is a long shopping street. Here, tourists can find all kinds of colorful accessories, ideal to give away as a souvenir and of course in very affordable prices.
What to buy: Weavings, hats, ponchos, souvenirs, gourds, dolls, jewelry, t-shirts, packs, etc.
Hotels & restaurants
Aguas Calientes present a wide range of hotels of different categories, qualities and events for all budgets. The town also has a large business.
These Town also has a number of restaurants specializing in local and international dishes, as well as entertaining pubs to socialize and have a good time. No doubt it is a lovely place that tourists can not miss.
List of hotels in Aguas Calientes
List of restaurants
Nightlife-Aguas Calientes
The nights in Aguas Calientes are quiet there is not much nightlife here the odd tourist out for a drink in the different restaurants there, the mostly tourist after visiting Machu Picchu returns to the city of Cuzco in the train.
Although if you enjoy watching traditional dance performed to live music, almost every evening there are dinner shows at Pueblo Viejo restaurant.