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Aguas Calientes Tours & Travel Guide
Aguas Calientes Attractions & Landmarks Guide
Situated at the base of Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes (meaning "hot waters") is a frequent stop for travelers visiting the Lost City of the Inca's. It's here that you can hire a guide, find accommodation for the night before lining up to catch the dawn bus. Take advantage of the nearby hot springs, especially if you've trekked one of the major trails to Machu Picchu!
Staying in Agua Calientes
There are more than 100 hotels in the Agua Calientes region, with varying prices and facilities. The hotel prices range from $10 per night to up to $2000 per night. Almost all of them facilitate early breakfasts as you need to get up quite early and leave your hotel to go visit the beautiful region.
People mostly visit Agua Calientes as a stop to their main trip to Machu Picchu. There is nothing much to do in the village itself, so you need to choose a good accommodation wisely to spend the night. The main attraction here is the restaurants and bars, where you can have a good time.
The prices of the hotels depend upon their location, luxuries, or views they offer. Do detailed research before choosing your accommodation and make an advanced booking. Aguas Calientes is a year-round destination with thousands of visitors coming here every day so, you would not want to roam about looking for a place to settle down after a long and tiring journey.
Getting to Machu Picchu from Agua Calientes
You can choose from one of the two ways to go Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes, i.e., by bus or hiking along the Camino Peatonal Trail. Buses leave from Aguas Caliente every 10 minutes, starting from 5 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. It takes about 30 minutes to travel between the two points through the bus.
You can purchase tickets online or at the spot from the train station. It is better to get your tickets online, especially if you are visiting during peak season or you'll have to wait for your turn in the long queues.
Walking down the steep mountain to reach Machu Picchu is a rather challenging task that requires great physical effort. So, unless you are in good physical condition, don't take the risk. But if you are fit for the trail, then this could be a more explorative and relaxing way to reach your destination while remaining as close to nature as possible. Agua Calientes Machu Picchu trail takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Machu Picchu trekking down this path.
Getting to Agua Calientes
The beautiful village is not connected to the rest of the country through any paved roads and is nestled deep in the Urubamba River George, like an island. This small region is surrounded by rainforest, imposing cliffs and two rushing rivers. Locals travel on foot or on the animals along the hundred years old trails with the Urubamba through the Choquequirao Conservation Region.
However, for tourists, there are two ways. You can either hike down a challenging 50-mile road, starting outside the Ollantaytambo, or take a comfortable scenic ride on Peru Rail. There are three rail options to go to Agua Calientes.
The Expedition is a budget railway but is very comfortable and a nice option to choose from. You can purchase some beverages or snacks aboard. The VistaDome is a little upgraded with free cold or hot beverages included in the package. The trains have large windows and domed areas for scenic viewing and some onboard entertainment with native musicians and dancers.
The most luxurious and expensive is the Hiram Bingham ride. It was named after the person who first discovered the ruins of Machu Picchu. The train fees included the Machu Picchu entrance fees with a two and a half-hour guided tour, afternoon tea at the Belmont Sanctuary Lodge, and a return bus ticket to Agua Calientes.
You can take the train from either the Poroy station, at a 20-minute drive from the Cusco Airport, or Ollantaytambo Station. The ticket price is the same from both stations, so your choice depends upon your convenience. Poroy Station gives you a convenient passage from the airport. Just hire a taxi and reach the train.
While if you are willing to spend a day or two at a beautiful scenic destination, Ollantaytambo can serve the purpose. Enjoy the beautiful terraces, Incan ruins, Sun Temple, quarries, storehouses, and defensive structures. Explore the historical region of the 15th century before catching the train to your destination.
Is Agua Calientes expensive?
The average traveling cost in Agua Calientes depends greatly on your travel style. Plan to spend around $44 per day during your time here, if you are opting for budget traveling. Agua Calientes is an average place with respect to the costs and expenses. You can have a bed in a hostel for as low as $10and in a high-end luxury hotel for as much as $250.
Good accommodation for one person may cost about $20 per night. The cost of food also varies with your choices. If you are going to eat in high-end restaurants, that would be around $28, but if you go to a cheap restaurant or roadside meals, that would cost you about $11 per day. Local transportation is the cheapest available option for transportation. A taxi would cost you about 10 times more than the local buses.
Prices in the markets are higher for everything, especially on the main road. If you go to the football stadium, you could get better prices. The bargain is a tradition here, and you should always go for it to get a reasonable price. Near the railway station are a big handicraft market and a big market along the Machu Picchu road as well.
Weather in Agua Calientes
Agua Calientes is 4054m above sea level and has a tundra climate, which means even in the hottest months, the temperature of the region will be very low. The weather in the region is mostly wet, with an average humidity of 77%. Rainfall is highest in February and lowest in the month of August, which is the sunniest time of the whole year.
January is the hottest month of the year and the windiest as well, with an average temperature of 27°C, while July is the coldest time with 25°C average temperature. April to December are the most suitable time for sun vacation, walking, cycling, and road trips.
Aguas Calientes Reviews & Ratings
Short Inca Trail with Action Peru Treks
We had a once in a lifetime experience with Action Peru Treks on the Short Inca Trail! Fredy was an attentive and knowledgeable tour guide! Highly recommend Action P...
Our two-day Inka trek was amazing!
Our two-day Inka trek was amazing! Everything was so well organized and on time. Our tour guide, Ronnie, was so knowledgeable about the history of all of the sites w...
Did Rainbow mountain trek
Did Rainbow mountain trek with these guys and they were great, super organized and our guide Odon was a really nice man.He was very friendly and so knowable about th...
PERFECT HIKE TO THE LOST CITY OF MACHU PICCHU
The Short Inca Trail was the perfect hike to Machu Picchu and we are more than satisfied that we have chosen Action Peru Treks for our hike. Action Peru is the way ...
We completed the Short Inca Trail 2D/1N to Machu Picchu
We completed the Short Inca Trail 2D/1N to Machu Picchu. We chose the private tour since we were celebrating our honeymoon! First, I had a great experience with book...
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