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Things to do in Aguas Calientes

Our most recommended things to do in Aguas Calientes

From Cusco: Full-Day Group Tour of Machu Picchu

1. From Cusco: Full-Day Group Tour of Machu Picchu

Travel from Cusco to learn about the majestic Inca city: Machu Picchu and the ancient civilization living there. Discover the secrets that are hidden in it. Go back in time as you explore the streets of these ruins located in the Peruvian Andes.  Begin with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Cusco for transfer to the train station. Get on board and enjoy the comforts offered by the train during the journey to Machu Picchu. Choose from the option of a standard train or a Vistadome train that offers panoramic views. Enjoy the dynamic landscapes of the Peruvian Andes. Arrive in Aguas Calientes and take a bus to the entrance of the citadel of Machu Picchu. Learn about the history of this wonderful place. Depending on the option you select, enjoy a guided visit of Circuit 5. Visit Qolqas, the Agricultural Zone, the waterway, dry pit, Temple of the Sun, Inka House, water sources, set three covers, Pisonay Square, and the archaeological reserve. Take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and get recommendations for lunch. Board the train back to the Ollantaytambo or Poroy station where transportation will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Cusco.

From Cusco: Machu Picchu Day Trip by Vistadome Train

2. From Cusco: Machu Picchu Day Trip by Vistadome Train

Start your journey enjoying comfortable seats and our excellent service. Delight yourself in the incredible landscape that surrounds the road to Machu Picchu between snow-capped peaks, imposing mountains, meandering river and the change of vegetation until you enter the magical humid forest that houses the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu. Itinerary: Start the day with early morning pickup from your hotel, home, or apartment in Cusco. You will be driven to the train station in Ollantaytambo. Travel on the Vistadome 360° train, you will have glass on all sides and above your head, ideal to enjoy the full scale of the snow-capped mountains and beautiful landscapes along the Urubamba river on the way to Aguas Calientes. At the end of the train journey, your guide will be waiting for you with a sign with your name so that together with your guide you can board the bus at the entrance gate to Machupicchu. Upon arrival at Machu Picchu, you will have a tour of this magnificent place, your bilingual guide will explain everything about the historic site of Machu Picchu and you will visit the main places of the lost city. The guided tour will last around 2.5 to 3 hours. Afterwards, you will have free time to walk around and admire this impressive place on your own. After your visit in Machupicchu, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, you will have enough time to have lunch, at the indicated time, board your train to return to the Ollantaytambo station. Once in Ollantaytambo our identified driver will be waiting for you to take you back to your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.

From Aguas Calientes: Round-Trip Bus Ticket to Machu Picchu

3. From Aguas Calientes: Round-Trip Bus Ticket to Machu Picchu

Benefit from the convenience of pre-booked round-trip transfers from Aguas Calientes to Machu Pichu. Soak in the peace and quiet whilst riding an air-conditioned bus and checking out the scenery along the way. Your professional driver will make sure your transfers are safe and relaxed. Avoid the crowds and enjoy a flexible schedule and reasonable prices.  

Aguas Calientes: Machu Picchu Official Ticket, Bus, & Guide

4. Aguas Calientes: Machu Picchu Official Ticket, Bus, & Guide

Explore the historic citadel of Machu Picchu with a skip-the-line ticket and return transfer from Aguas Calientes. Experience panoramic views of the ruins and surrounding mountains before discovering the archaeological site with a guided tour. After meeting your guide embark on the beautiful 30-minute drive to Machu Picchu. Take a 20-minute walk to the upper part of Machu Picchu, following your guide to the perfect lookout location.  Spend 2-hour on the legendary site and delve into the history of the Lost Citadel and Machu Picchu. You will get lost in the maze-like stone constructions of the site.  Soak in the beautiful panoramic views of the ruins and the mountains. You will get lost in the maze-like stone constructions before returning to Aguas Calientes.

From Cusco: Train Ride and Guided Tour of Machu Picchu

5. From Cusco: Train Ride and Guided Tour of Machu Picchu

Join a local guide and travel from Cusco to the infamous Machu Picchu on this private day trip. Marvel at a panoramic view of the Sacred Valley and visit the most remarkable attractions at the ancient Inca site. After being picked up from your hotel, board the train and sit back and relax as you enjoy a 2-hour journey across the Sacred Valley. Admire the spectacular views over the mountain and pass by towns like Ollantaytambo. If you opt for the Vistadome Panoramic train, you also get to taste an Andean snack and drink. Next, arrive at the town of Aguas Calientes and set off with your guide on a bus ride uphill to Machu Picchu. Shortly after check in, begin your private tour and discover the citadel’s magnificent architecture and attractions like the Temple of the Sun and The Temple of the Moon. Then, you will be given free time to explore the site on your own before taking the bus back to Aguas Calientes. In the late afternoon, ride the train for your return journey to Cusco. If you chose the Vistadome Panoramic train option, end your experience by immersing yourself in Andean culture though music and entertainment on board.

From Cusco: Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley 2-Day Tour

6. From Cusco: Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley 2-Day Tour

Explore the ancient civilization of the Incas on a 2-day guided tour of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Day 1: Start the day with a breathtaking ride through the mountains between Cusco and Pisac, and see the Inca temples on an in-depth tour on arrival. Bargain for colorful textiles in the traditional market, and then experience the “Breadbasket of the Incas” on a scenic drive to Urubamba. Arrive in time for lunch at a local restaurant. Then, explore the pink granite palace at Ollantaytambo, and climb the great stairs of the Temple of the Sun. Feast on local produce at a nearby venue, before ending the day with a train ride to Aguas Calientes, where you can bathe in the hot spring baths and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. Day 2: You will take a morning bus up to Machu Picchu to experience the first rays of the sun as they pass through the ruins of the "Lost City of the Incas." Go to a panoramic lookout for the best views and take a 2-hour tour of the legendary site. Get lost in the maze-like constructions, or follow in the footsteps of the ancients and climb Huayna Picchu. Then, enjoy lunch in Aguas Calientes before a lazy ride back to Cusco.

From Cusco: Machu Picchu 2-Day Overnight Trip

7. From Cusco: Machu Picchu 2-Day Overnight Trip

Option One Venture to Machu Picchu on this round-trip bus tour from Cusco Follow a trail through the lush jungle and visit the town of Machu Picchu. Tour the archaeological site of Machu Picchu Day 1: Cusco – Hydroelectric Plant – Machu Picchu Town Begin with a pick up from your hotel in the historic center at 6:15 am we will travel through the towns of Ollantaytambo, Málaga and Santa Teresa to arrive at the hydroelectric plant where you will have lunch afterwards Follow your guide's instructions for the 3-hour walk to Aguas Calientes, head to the Plaza de Manco Capas. Next, meet your guide in the main square of Aguas Calientes, who will take you to your accommodation for the night. Wait for dinner time as directed Day 2: Machu Picchu – Hydroelectric – Cusco Wake up at 5am and walk or take the bus to the entrance of Machu Picchu, an Inca citadel located high in the Andes mountains of Peru. Enter with your group and enjoy 2.5 hours to explore the site, after exploring then head back down the road to the hydroelectric where the bus will be waiting, it will end in Cusco at the Plaza de San Francisco at 11 pm option two trip from cusco to Machupicchu day 1 by bus we will leave at 6:20 am in the morning then we will go to the hydroelectric passing through beautiful landscapes that you will see when you arrive you will be able to have lunch and then you will walk for 3 hours you will arrive at the plaza de manco capac where they will waiting to arrive at your accommodation once you will be installed you can wait for the instructions of your guide and have dinner the next day you will have to get up a little early at 6 am to have your breakfast snack and start walking to the entrance gate to machupicchu where with the Guide will enter Machupicchu on average at 12 noon, leave and return to the town of Aguas Calientes where you can have lunch on your own and take the train back to Ollantaytambo then to Cusco. Option 3 trip from Cusco to Machupicchu by train in just one day you can visit and do it you will leave Cusco at 4 am in the morning you will visit Machupicchu at 11 am then return to take the train in Machupicchu which will take you to Ollantaytambo then return to Cusco on tour will end at 11 pm.

From Cusco: Machu Picchu 2-day Budget Tour by Car

8. From Cusco: Machu Picchu 2-day Budget Tour by Car

Journey to the iconic Machu Picchu on a 2-day tour specially designed to be an affordable alternative that takes you over scenic mountains, past indigenous villages, and through lush jungles hikes. Make your trip more comfortable by upgrading to options that include hotels in Aguas Calientes and additional bus and train add-ons. DAY 1: Cusco - Santa Teresa - Hydroelectric - Aguas Calientes Pickup at 7:00 AM from hotels and hostels in central Cusco. Head through the Sacred Valley and appreciate different villages and climatic changes in the Andes. Arrive at Santa Teresa around 1:30 PM where a typical lunch will be served. Then, continue the tour until arriving at Hydroelectric around 3:00 PM. From here, start a walk on the train tracks through a native jungle to Aguas Calientes, about a 3 hours trek. You can choose add-on a train to Aguas Calientes at the checkout if you don't want to do the walk. At Aguas Calientes, your guide will show you to your accommodation (if option is selected). You also have the opportunity to go relax optionally at the hot springs (this activity can only be paid on spot) or take a stroll around town before dinner. DAY 2: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Hydroelectric - Cusco Get up early in the morning and 4:30 AM to start the walk towards Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. The steep walk up will last approximately 1:30 hour, and the objective is to appreciate the sunrise from the Inca citadel and be the first to arrive. The walk up to Machu Picchu requires a fair physical condition — you can also choose add-on a bus to Machu Picchu at the checkout, if you don't want to do the walk. Get a 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu and the surrounding sites. Enjoy free time to take photos and look around the citadel. If you chose one of the extra hikes to one of the mountains you will split ways with the group to go by yourself to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain — you can choose add-on these hikes at the checkout. Leave Machu Picchu and return to Aguas Calientes at around 11:30 AM (walking or by bus, depending on if you choose add-on at checkout). Once in Aguas Calientes, start the walk back to Hydroelectric where your guide will be waiting to gather the group to return to the city of Cusco — again, you can choose add-on a train to Hydroelectric at the checkout, if you don't want to do the walk. Be back in Cusco around 9:30 - 10:00 PM. The drop-off will be in San Francisco square in the historic center, near Plaza de Armas. Distances for the whole itinerary: • Distance traveled by car/van Cusco to Hydroelectric: approximately 4 to 5 hours • Trekking Distance from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes: approximately 2:30 hours (1-way) • Trekking Distance from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu: 1:30 hours (1-way) • Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu: 25-minutes (1-way) • Distance traveled by car/van from Hydroelectric to Cusco: approximately 5 to 6 hours

Salkantay Trek 5-Day Hike to Machu Picchu

9. Salkantay Trek 5-Day Hike to Machu Picchu

Follow in the footsteps of the ancient Incas and hike along the same paths they used to trek through the mountains centuries ago. Get back to nature and experience amazing views of the snow-capped mountain peaks of the Andes. Day 1: Cusco - Mollepata - Markhuq’asa - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake - Salkantaypampa (L, D) Depart Cusco and journey to Markhuq’asa for the start of your trek to Soraypampa, 3,850 meters above sea level. Stop for lunch at the base camp and then go on a round-trip hike to Humantay Lake. Then continue to the Salkantaypampa base camp to spend the night. Day 2: Salkantaypampa - Salkantay Pass - Collpapampa (B, L, D) Hike to the highest point of the trail at Salkantay Pass and get spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains before a 2-hour downhill hike to the camp for lunch. Then, enter the upper part of the Amazon jungle on a hike through what is know as the cloud forest. Look for native wildlife on the way to the village of Collpapampa, where you will spend the night. Day 3: Collpapampa - La Playa (B, L, D) After breakfast, take an easy hike to La Playa through the Santa Teresa valley and marvel at the waterfalls and wild orchids. Encounter coffee, banana, and avocado plantations, and get the chance to sample the local coffee at an organic coffee farm. After a typical lunch in La Playa, here you will have the option (at an extra cost payable onsite) to visit the hot thermal springs and abundant birdlife. Return to the campsite for an overnight stay. Day 4: Santa Teresa - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes (B, L, D) On this day, in Santa Teresa, you can choose to visit the zipline, rafting, or canopy at an extra cost payable directly on-site. Then, you will head to Hidroelectrica, passing through waterfalls coming from the glaciers and fields of cocoa and coffee. After a nourishing lunch, begin a 2-hour walk to Machu Picchu Pueblo, known as Aguas Calientes. Once in Aguas Calientes, you can go to your hotel to shower and relax before dinner. After dinner, get some rest before the early morning climb up to Machu Picchu the following morning. Day 5: Machu Picchu (B) Explore Machu Picchu in the early morning before the crowds arrive. You can choose to hike uphill to the ruins or take the bus for an additional charge. Benefit from a 2-hour guided tour on arrival and learn more about the temples, palaces, priest houses, and more. Take the train to Ollantaytambo in the afternoon and then catch the bus back to Cusco for drop-off at your hotel or hostel on arrival.

Cusco: 2-Day Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Guided Tour

10. Cusco: 2-Day Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Guided Tour

Discover Peru's ancient wonders with a 2-day excursion from Cusco. Explore Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, take a 2-hour guided tour of the ancient ruins at Machu Picchu, and upgrade your tour to include a hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain. Day 1The journey starts with the pickup from your hotel in Cusco. If you choose the 6:30 A.M. start time, visit Chinchero, Maras-Moray, and Ollantaytambo. Choose the 7:50 A.M. start to visit Pisaq and Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. Stop to enjoy lunch in the town of Urubamba (included) before taking the train to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, head to your accommodation. Choose the accommodation add-on when booking to enjoy an included comfortable hotel room. Enjoy an afternoon of leisure in Aguas Calientes. At night, the guide will contact you at your hotel to provide all the instructions for the tour to Machu Picchu the next day. Day 2Wake up early for a 7:00 AM departure from Aguas Calientes to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu by bus. Upon your arrival, enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu. Walk with your guide and learn about this ancient Inca city. Visit gardens, shrines, water channels, and prisons. After the guided tour, enjoy some free time to explore the Inca citadel on your own. Increase your adventure by adding an optional Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu climb to your trip. Following directions from your guide, climb to the summit on your to enjoy panoramic views of the area. Head back to the town of Aguas Calientes and enjoy some free time for lunch (not included) before taking the train back to Ollantaytambo. Finally, return to Cusco city by bus.

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What people are saying about Aguas Calientes

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 1,321 reviews

A wonderful excursion, very long, yes, you have to get up early and spend all morning between buses and trains to get to Machu Picchu but it is worth it, it is true that it is one of the wonders of the world, beautiful. I have a very good opinion about the guides and the company, we had the tour on January 4 but it was canceled due to the strikes in the country, they notified us and we had to cancel it although the tour is non-refundable but because of the protests as they were cut off the roads there were no ways to go up, they returned our money, which is what a company would be. We had to take it out for another day before because the protests were just beginning on the 4th, we took it out another day for the 3rd. They fulfilled their promise, they returned the money for the tour on the 4th and on the 3rd they took us without any problem. I am very grateful for Lee, good organization, good guide who explained the entire history of Machu Picchu in Spanish and English. Everything is g

We had an incredible time - Pablo was an amazing guide and he took care of us so much! An unforgettable experience - the hotel they booked for us had a glass top to bottom view of Aquas Calientes and it was beautiful! We will cherish these memories forever - thank you to the team!!

It is a superb view. I went in early January, but it was OK with light clothes. It is a well-maintained tourist destination.

It is impressive to see the city from above, the nature and the mountains are spectacular. The place has high energy.

David was the best guide we ever had on all our travels. With his competence the bus trip was perfect.