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Aguas Calientes Nature & adventure

Our most recommended Aguas Calientes Nature & adventure

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 2-Day Overnight Trip

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

From Cusco: 2-Day Trip to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

5. From Cusco: 2-Day Trip to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

DAY 1: We will start this great adventure with the pick up from your hotel at 8:00 am to go to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Pisac, Colonial Inca, discover one of the Inca archaeological sites, on top of the mountain with impressive stone walls, agricultural terraces, irrigation systems and the largest cemetery of the Inca Empire. Time to shop at the craft market, where artisans sell their ceramics, textiles, jewelry, Andean instruments, alpaca products, and souvenirs. We will continue our trip of approximately 1 hour through the Sacred Valley to Urubamba where we will have time to have lunch in one of the local restaurants that offers several traditional dishes, made with fresh products. In the afternoon, visit the archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo, where you can appreciate the technique with which the Incas worked the stone, the last Inca citadel standing. The city is built on ancient Inca buildings. Explore the archaeological site of the city that has temples, terraces, warehouses and a large Inca monolith. Next, we will depart by train from the Ollantaytambo station, we will arrive at the Aguas Calientes station, where our staff will assist you to stay in one of the hotels in Aguas Calientes. (Select between a tour with or without accommodation). DAY 2: In the morning the guide will pick you up at the hotel to board the transport that will ascend an intricate path giving us a spectacular view of the Urubamba River that shapes the famous canyon. The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, will welcome you with its incredible terraces, stairways, ceremonial precincts and urban areas where energy emanates from all over the place. After a guided tour, you will have the opportunity to have lunch in one of the restaurants in the area. At the coordinated time, we will return by train and we will be transferred to the hotel in Cusco, ending with a great experience.

From Cusco: 4-Day Inca Trail Guided Trek to Machu Picchu

6. From Cusco: 4-Day Inca Trail Guided Trek to Machu Picchu

Walk the world-famous Inca Trail on this guided trek over 4 days and 3 nights. Follow an ancient footpath through the Sun Gate and into Machu Picchu, passing magical cloud forests on the way. Enjoy scenic camping, tasty meals and the expertise of local guides and porters. Day 1 Start with pickup from your hotel in Cusco, Urubamba, or Ollantaytambo on the first morning. Enjoy a hearty breakfast and meet your team of guides and porters before an 82km drive to the trail’s starting point. Hike in 2 hour intervals, with regular stops to eat and take a break. The first night’s campsite will be at Ayapata with an elevation of 3300 meters. Relax here with a hot drink, dinner and a well-deserved rest. Day 2 Wake up early for the trek’s longest day which will include the trail’s highest point, Dead Woman’s Pass, at 4215 meters. Stop here to enjoy the spectacular views before you descend into the Pacaymayu Valley in time for lunch. Next, climb to the Inca site of Runcu Raccay where you can admire two huge waterfalls across the valley before another descent to the remote site of Sayacmarca. After a quick tour, take a short walk to the second campsite, where you can watch the sun set over the Vilcabamba mountains before dinner. Day 3 Start early again for the trail’s most beautiful day. Walk along gradual inclines as you approach the Cloud Forest and Salkantay, the second highest peak in the Sacred Valley. Then, begin the climb to the final peak, Phuyupatamarka, where you’ll get your first views over Machu Picchu. From here, it’s a 3-hour walk down a flight of steps to Wiñay Wayna, where you’ll camp in close proximity to Machu Picchu. Share a relaxed final evening with your guides and porters, and get an early night before your final day of exploring. Day 4 Get up at the crack of dawn to catch a stunning sunrise over the ruins of Machu Picchu. Trek down to the Sun Gate and make your way into the Lost City of the Incas, where your private tour of the ruins will begin. After the tour, head down to Augas Calientes by bus. Take a few hours here to explore the city, or optionally to climb Huayna Picchu, before catching the train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy. From here, a driver will transfer you back to your hotel by bus.

2-Days Tour from Cusco:Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu by Train

7. 2-Days Tour from Cusco:Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu by Train

Day 1: Cusco | Visit local family | Salt mines | Moray | Train trip to Machu Picchu Have a comfortable pickup after breakfast at your hotel, your guide will go through your hotel to go to the town of Maras - salt mines, passing through the typical town of Chinchero on the way here you will have enough time to visit a local house where you will have the opportunity to take a picture with alpaca, llama, vicuñas. Leaving behind the local family in Chincheros, you will drive to Moray, an Inca-era archaeological site. Learn about the design and purpose of this circular-style terrace system, a complex that was built by ancient civilization as a testing ground for various microclimates and different types of agricultural crops. After Moray, you will drive 30 minutes until you reach the "Salineras", a collection of salt mines used since the Inca period to extract salt. The pattern formed by the area's range of more than 3,000 small salt pools creates a visually stunning sight for visitors. After your visit to the Salineras, you will be taken through Urubamba where our guide will give you lunch options. After lunch we will take you to the train station located in the same town of Ollantaytambo and we will board the selected train that will take us to Aguas Calientes (town of Machupicchu). This train ride allows you to appreciate the fascinating landscape along the sacred Vilcanota River. You will arrive in Aguas Calientes at the exit door of the train station, we will be waiting to take you to your hotel where you will spend the night. Settle into your hotel, After check - in, you have the afternoon free at your own expense. Day 2: Machu Picchu | cuzco After having our breakfast at the hotel we will transfer with our guide to the bus station. This bus will take us to the main gate of the Historic Sanctuary of Machupicchu where we will begin our unforgettable experience. Your expert guide will walk you through the main streets of these incredible ruins. Stroll through the city squares and up the delicately carved stone stairs. Esoteric wisdom supports Machu Picchu as the new spiritual center of the world. There will be time to be alone and fully embrace this magnificent wonder of the world, letting this once-in-a-lifetime experience settle in. Once the guide is finished we will have additional time to explore on our own. After finishing the visit, we will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes where you will have time for lunch (not included). At the indicated time we will board the train that will not take us to the Ollantaytambo train station. Upon arrival at the train station in Ollantaytambo, our transport will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cuzco. Estimated arrival time 6.30pm. At the time of booking choose: Option 1: Voyager Train With all the comforts on board. Option 2: Vistadome Train 360° Panoramic windows located on the walls and ceilings of the carriages make the connection with the outside experience very vivid.

Cusco: 5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu with Tickets

8. Cusco: 5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu with Tickets

The Salcantay Mountain is one of the most beautiful in Peru and is considered sacred by local villagers. Spend five unforgettable days hiking alongside the majestic mountains, taking time to enjoy each magical location and feel the energy through meditation, yoga and exercise. As a final treat, you will join the Inca Trail for a short section before arriving at Machu Picchu via the stunning Llaqtapata. On Day 1, after a delicious breakfast, you will embark on a 4-hour walk up to Soyrococha (4400 m / 14430 ft) where a chef will be waiting to serve you lunch. You will continue climbing for one more hour to reach Salkantay Pass (4650 m/ 15255 ft). From the top it will be another 3 hour downhill hike to the campsite at Wayracmachay (3800 m/ 12467 ft). Your tent, a snack and a hot drink will be waiting for you. You will then have some time to rest and have dinner before a well-earned nights sleep. On Day 2, you will be woken bright and early with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa. You will spend 9 hours on this trek. On Day 3, you will trek for 9 hours once more and arrive at Llaqtapata, an Inca ruin located in front of Machu Pichhu. On Day 4 you will trek for 6 hours to Aguas Calientes and spend a night in a hotel before finally spending Day 5 with a visit to Machu Picchu. Your guide will take you on a 2 to 3-hour comprehensive tour of the city before leaving you in Machu Picchu to explore on your own. Your guide will explain how to take the bus from Machu Picchu back to Aguas Calientes and then take the train and bus back to Cusco. The team will meet you off the train and return you safely to your hotel.

From Cusco: Classic Salkantay Trek with Return by Train

9. From Cusco: Classic Salkantay Trek with Return by Train

Make the most of your time in Peru with a 4 or 5-day hike along the famous Salkantay Trek. Take in panoramic views of Humantay Mountain, enjoy an optional visit to the Cocalmayo Hot Springs, and watch the sunrise at Macchu Picchu. Campsite accommodation and transfers are included. Day 1: Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha - Laguna Humantay - Soraypampa After getting picked up from your accommodation in Cusco, drive through the towns of Izcuchaca and Limatambo before arriving at Mollepata, where you can buy a light breakfast and water. Continue to Challacancha, where the 3-hour walk to Soraypampa begins. Stop for lunch and then walk around 1-2 hours to the Humantay Lagoon. Return to Soraypampa and overnight at camp with tent and dinner. Day 2: Soraypampa - Soyrococha - Salkantay - Huayracmachay - Chaullay Wake up with the first light of the day at 5:30 AM and have a quick breakfast. Start your walk to the highest point of the trail: the Salkantay Pass (4650 meters/15255 feet), where you can appreciate the imposing snowy peaks of the Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo mountains. The downward hike is snake-shaped, leading to the Huayracmachay camp, where you will stop for lunch. At the end of this exceptional hike, arrive at Chaullay Village (2900 meters/9514 feet) for a break from a long day of hiking. Enjoy dinner at the camp before heading to your tent for the night. Day 3: Chaullay - Playa Sahuayaco - Lucmabamba - Santa Teresa (optional Cocalmayo) After breakfast, hike to the small town of La Playa through the Santa Teresa Valley where you will stop for lunch. After lunch, board a bus to the camp in Santa Teresa, where you can enjoy an optional visit to the Cocalmayo Hot Springs, which have medicinal and therapeutic waters. Enjoy dinner at the camp before heading to your tent for the night. If you choose the 4-day option, you will be taken by bus to Hydroelectric right after your lunch. From there, start a walk on the train tracks through the native jungle to Aguas Calientes, about a 3-hour trek. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, enjoy free time before dinner to rest or walk through the town. Day 4 for 5-day option: Santa Teresa - Hydroelectric - Aguas Calientes After breakfast, start the 3-hour walk to the Hydroelectric through the valley floor. Upon arrival, recharge with lunch. You can add on a zip line adventure after breakfast; in this case, after the activity, you will be taken to the beginning of the trail to Aguas Calientes at Hydroelectric. From Hydroelectric, hike on the train tracks through the jungle to Aguas Calientes, about a 3-hour trek. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will have free time before dinner to rest or walk through the town. Day 4 for 4-day option / Day 5 for 5-day option: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco Get up early to start the trek to Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. After a steep 1.5-hour walk, be rewarded with views of the sunrise from the Inca citadel before the crowds arrive (you can replace the hike with a bus ride for an additional cost if required). Enjoy 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 choose one of the add-on hikes to the mountains, you will split ways with the group to go by yourself to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain. Leave Machu Picchu and return to Aguas Calientes (walking or by bus, depending on what you choose). Once in Aguas Calientes, board your train to Ollantaytambo, and take a minivan from there to Cusco. Arrive back in Cusco around 9:30 - 10:00 PM. The drop-off will be in Plaza San Francisco in the historic center, near the Plaza de Armas.

Cusco: Full-Day Trip to Machu Picchu with Hotel Transfers

10. Cusco: Full-Day Trip to Machu Picchu with Hotel Transfers

Experience a tour ideal for those who have little time, but do not want to miss Machu Picchu, one of the most magical places in the world. Get a guided tour of the archeological site and free time to discover it on your own. Start your journey with pickup from hotels and hostels in the center of Cusco and head to Ollantaytambo to board the train. Enjoy a 2-hour train ride to the city of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, the guide with the names of each traveler will be waiting. Follow your guide to the bus station to board the bus to the citadel. Begin a 2-hour guided tour of the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu. After your tour, you will have free time to explore the site yourself. Later in the afternoon, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, where you will catch the train back to Ollantaytambo to finally take your last bus trip to Cusco.

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What people are saying about Aguas Calientes

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 193 reviews

We booked a guided tour to Machu Picchu with Peru & U and the experience with our guide made it the highlight of our 9 week Latin America trip and one of the best days of our lives! From start to finish the communications we’re good, but the professional logistics they put together to: arrange a 1-2-1 with our guide at our hotel, escort us to and from MP Citadel, provide us with the best guide possible and arrange a fantastic quality tasting-menu lunch at the end… was phenomenal. We have to give the highest praise to our guide Joel Andre, who brought both the Incan Citadel and the MP Mountain climb to life. His knowledge of the site, the ancient traditions and their balanced spiritual thinking was enlightening. His careful consideration of our progress towards the summit was so appreciated as he just sensed when to stop to point out healing plants or beautiful wildlife. We were the oldest people doing this trip and succeeded thanks to Joel! Thanks GYG! Thanks Joel!

We booked with Haku travel but was transferred to a trek with Marvelous adventure, so we can t say anything about Haku travels' tours, only the booking part. We got booked on the cheapest Machu Picchu circuit and not the same circuit or entrance time as the rest of our Group and guide through 4 days, so that was a big disappointment. We only got our tickets the night before our Machu Picchu day. Also the communication was not great in advance, but they answered pretty quickly. All in all we had a good trek but that was thanks to our great guide from Marvelous adventure. We recommended booking at an Office in Cusco rather than online if you want the better and cheaper deal and to be certain about the specifics of your trek. Be sure to request the circuit and entrance time you wish for!!

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 was an amazing hike through the Andes. Going solo with a guide made the experience rich.

Everything about this trip and the organization was amazing. 100% recommend it.