Aguas Calientes is the closest town to Machu Picchu (the archaeological center). It is also known as Machu Picchu town. The name Aguas Calientes receives it because in a small part of the mountain, there are “Aguas termales” or better known, thermomedical waters.
Located at the bottom of the sacred valley, below Machu Picchu.
You could say that Aguas Calientes is an island, as lonely as it is. Surrounded by mountains, rivers and a majestic forest with fog.
How far is Machu Micchu from the closest town?
When you arrive at the small town you will be only 24 minutes from Machu Picchu, it is recommended to get on the bus. If you want to walk this is 2 h 22 min por Carretera Hiram Bingham.
The most impressive thing about Aguas Calientes is not the thermomedical waters, it is located on the top of the mountains: Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu.
Where to stay in Aguas Calientes; The closest town to Machu Picchu?
There are very good hotels in Machu Picchu town where you could stay. Prices vary from $ 16 to $ 500, you can choose where you feel most comfortable. Spending the night in Aguas Calientes is an advantage since you can be one of the first to enter Machu Picchu very early.
Every day thousands of people come from all over the world to the village of Aguas Calientes to see up close one of the seven wonders of the world. It is a small town cosmopolitan by the wide variety of cultures, nationalities and religions.
Before you arrive in Aguas Calientes you will meet Ollantaytambo, an ancient Inca city, with many hidden mysteries. From this city you will board the train to Machu Picchu.
What you can do in Aguas Calientes
You will have to make a long queue to get bus tickets, with route from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. Buses depart every 14 minutes, from 5:30 a.m. If you want we can take care of all the tickets you will need on your trip, to avoid inconvenience.
What can I eat and drink?
There are a variety of restaurants, where you can eat: grilled chicken, baked chicken, fried trout, among others, the best of Peruvian food. In addition to Italian, Chinese and Spanish restaurants; where they are fused with Peruvian ingredients. You must not forget that Peru is the best culinary destination in the world.
If you want a drink, there are bars all over town. Just choose the one closest to you, and don’t forget to try our “pisco sour”, a famous Peruvian drink. The perfection of this drink is achieved thanks to the mixture of lemon acid, egg white, sweet gum syrup and the character of our pisco.
In case you do not want a drink with alcohol, you can enjoy another delight, purple girl, is a drink typical of this country of South America, famous for its gastronomy. It is prepared with a special type of intense, almost black purple corn. This vegetable is grown in large proportions in the Andean Cordillera.
To be calm and relax
Having visited Machu Picchu, and more if you climbed Huayna Picchu; your body will be very tired. And you will need to relax, it is recommended to visit the Aguas Termales.
Another alternative is massage centers. But it is recommended more to tour the city, to take photos and meet new friends.
You come with children and family
One option for children is “The Butterfly House”, it is located 15 minutes from the city, walking (1 km approx). You will see hundreds of species of butterflies flying, you can find them in Machu Picchu, some of them are only seen there. Since 2006, experts and volunteers have preserved these butterflies.
If you would like to know Aguas Calientes (The town closest to Machu Picchu), please contact us at info@orange-nation.com . We will be happy to offer you the best tour for you.
The closest town to Machu Picchu information has been updated on Dec 2022
