Aguas Calientes is a quaint little town in the Province of Urubamba & is the gateway to the iconic world wonder of Machu Picchu. Back in 1901, it was initially established as a railway worker’s camp known as Makinachayuq. Here, the connection to Cusco was developed & is now frequently utilized by tourists who are en route to Machu Picchu. Avenida Pachacutec & Avenida Imperio de Los Incas are the main streets that cut through this remote town with its train tracks running right down its center line. While some travelers may bypass the town & head directly for the main attraction, I recommend taking the time to absorb the natural beauty surrounding the area.

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Prepare for an Unforgettable Journey via PeruRail

The primary mode of transportation to get to Aguas Calientes is by train. From Cusco, we took a 20 minute taxi ride to Poroy Station where we boarded PeruRail for our scenic 3.5 hour ride. I highly recommend booking roundtrip tickets ahead of time through PeruRail’s website to avoid any unexpected hiccups. There are three cabin types to choose from, each with significantly different price points:

1. Expedition: Equivalent to Coach class, this cabin is the most budget-friendly. There are no snacks nor drinks available.
2. Vistadome: Considered the Premium Economy class, this features large 90° panoramic views of the natural scenery. Snacks & light non-alcoholic beverage service is available. This option also features a live fashion show on the outbound trip.
3. Hiram Bingham: This higher end, luxury class serves gourmet meals & full bar service. Throughout the ride, you will be entertained with live music & dance performances. Ticket prices include a bus ride to Machu Picchu, admission into the ruins, as well as a professional tour guide.

Experience a Beautiful Connection to Nature

You get your assigned seats at the same time you book the tickets. But you are free to move to a different, unoccupied seat or negotiate with your neighbor to switch with you. For the best views, try to find a seat on the left side of the train when traveling inbound & on the right side going outbound.

We decided to ride on the Vistadome & enjoyed a visually stimulating ride through Peru’s various landscapes of vibrant green valleys, dense jungles, & majestic mountains. We passed by native villages where farming animals grazed happily along the endless pastures. It was amazing to see buildings made with simple materials of mud & brick topped off with partially thatched roofs. The local schools were in session & we observed several young children in uniform eagerly walking to school.

Purchase Your Machu Picchu Bus Tickets

Once you arrive in Aguas Calientes & have checked into your hotel, I suggest you purchase your Machu Picchu bus tickets at the ticket booth near the bus station on Avenida Hermanos Ayar. Their hours are Monday through Sunday 5:00am – 9:00pm. The picture above was taken in May 2017 & the last time I checked the pricing hasn’t fluctuated much. But you can visit the Consettur website for the most updated information.

Buses operate from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu every 15 minutes from 5:30am – 3:00pm. The bus ride takes approximately 25 minutes as it makes it way through steep, windy roads. If you’re up for a physical challenge, you may choose to hike up to the ruins across several switchbacks. This option could take about 90 minutes, depending on your level of fitness & high altitude toleration.

Boarding the bus is solely on a first come, first serve basis. So if you wish to get near the front of the queue, arrive at least an hour in advance. Even though we left our hotel at 3:30am to catch the first round of buses, we already encountered lines of people for several blocks! While it is not necessary to rush yourself, since all ticket holders will eventually get to their final destination. But with the new rules & time limitations for visiting Machu Picchu, I feel it is still better to visit in the earlier morning hours.

Enjoy the Spiritual Sounds of Native Andean Music

Traditional Peruvian music is known for its beautiful fusion of sounds that mixes Andean, Spanish, & African roots. The most commonly seen instruments are the antara panpipes & the charango guitar. This unique compilation produces enchanting music that always puts me into a trance-like state.

While wandering the maze of alleyways & side streets, we happened to come upon a group of musicians setting up their stage. Since my father was once a musician, I grew up listening to a lot of guitar most often with a Spanish flair & one of my favorite songs of all time is Hotel California by the Eagles. As we drew closer, I immediately recognized the famous intro & realized they were about to serenade me to my song! ❤️ (& yes, I bought a copy of their album even though I don’t own a CD player anymore!) It was definitely the perfect surprise welcome to this lovely little town that has already captured my heart.

With over 1,500 visitors every day, Aguas Calientes solely exists for tourism. Although it is a rather small town, it is overflowing with stores & restaurants to fulfill the needs of the weary traveler who will likely stay for no more than two days. Several side streets lead to local markets which end in a larger promenade of enticing souvenir stalls & massage parlors. Locals may attempt to lure you into their shops but be aware that prices tend to be far more expensive here than in Cusco.

Restore Your Energy at Hotel La Cabana

Situated along the Urubamba River & overlooking the lush green hills of the Sacred Valley, is the cozy Hotel La Cabana. The spacious rooms welcome you with its rustic decor & bohemian vibes. The beds have orthopedic mattresses to ensure a good nights rest before your epic Machu Picchu adventure. The luxury suites feature a jacuzzi, private balcony, as well as a fireplace to create a warm ambiance to your stay. All other standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, buffet breakfast, laundry, & friendly 24 hour front desk service.

Aguas Calientes translates to “hot waters” & is named after the geothermal spring pools located just a few minutes from the hotel. Here people can enjoy a relaxing, therapeutic soak in the sulfur waters after a long day of exploration. Temperatures can range anywhere between 100˚F to 115˚F which is perfect for relieving sore, tense muscles. The baths are also known for their healing properties in eliminating toxins, as well as regulating metabolism & blood pressure. Keep in mind that the waters are naturally murky & have a distinct sulfurous smell, but this is considered normal for these types of nature baths.

Angella’s Travel Tips

• Aguas Calientes is a small town with steep, uneven streets & no vehicle transportation. Avoid the hassle of carrying around all your heavy travel luggage & leave the non-essentials behind in Cusco. Pack minimally for one overnight stay & a light pack for your Machu Picchu adventure. PeruRail also has strict limitations regarding how much luggage you can take on board. Please check the PeruRail FAQ for more information.
• Due to the new regulations at Machu Picchu, it is now a requirement to have a certified tour guide accompany you. Reliable guides can be found through tourism offices or even hired on the spot at the entrance gates to the ruins. Our hotel conceirge was very helpful in connecting us with our own private guide, Victor Hugo. We met him in our hotel lobby the evening prior to map out the tour route & to discuss the plan of events. This saved us a lot of time & effort for our long journey ahead.