Cidade Turismo
Peru

Before you go

Your trip to Aguas Calientes.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Get it on Google Play

Aguas Calientes – Cusco Destination Cusco, the Vale Sagrado and Machu Picchu about 110 km from Cusco

How to get there

  • Aeropuerto Internacional Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Cusco · 110 km
  • Estación de Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes) 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before booking. There is no road to Aguas Calientes. The train departs from Ollantaytambo, about 1h30, or from Poroy station, near Cusco, about 3h30. On foot, you reach it via the Trilha Inca, only with an authorized agency, or by walking along the tracks from the Hidroeléctrica. From the village to the sanctuary you go up by bus, about 25 minutes, or on foot.

How many days

One night is most common: you arrive by train in the afternoon, visit Machu Picchu the next morning and return at the end of the day. With two nights there's time for Huayna Picchu or Montaña Machu Picchu, for the site museum and for the hot springs.

When to go

The dry season usually runs from May to September, with more sun and more visitors. From December to March it usually rains, and the mountains are covered by clouds part of the day. The village sits in a high-jungle valley, warmer and more humid than Cusco, and the weather changes quickly at any time of year.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No, and it's not even possible: there is no road to the village. Everything is on foot, and the buses to the sanctuary leave from the main street by the river.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Aguas Calientes
  1. Morning
    Machu Picchu

    Take the first bus that matches your ticket time and do the circuit with a guide, enjoying the classic high view.

  2. Afternoon
    Return and lunch

    Descend to the village to have lunch. If there's time, go to the Museo de Sitio Manuel Chávez Ballón at Puente Ruinas on the way back.

  3. Late afternoon
    Hot springs

    Relax in the hot springs in the upper part of the village before the train.

  4. Evening
    Return train

    Take the train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy, or spend another night in the village.

2 days in Aguas Calientes

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Train arrival

    Train ride through the Urubamba valley, from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.

  2. Afternoon
    Site museum

    Walk to Puente Ruinas for the Museo de Sitio Manuel Chávez Ballón and the botanical garden.

  3. Late afternoon
    Hot springs

    Hot springs in the upper part of the village.

  4. Evening
    Preparation

    Have dinner early and check the time on your ticket and the buses.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Machu Picchu

    Go up early and do the circuit on your ticket, with a guide.

  2. Afternoon
    Huayna Picchu or Montaña

    Those with a specific ticket climb Huayna Picchu or Montaña Machu Picchu at the scheduled time.

  3. Late afternoon
    Descent

    Descend by bus or on foot via the stair trail to the village.

  4. Evening
    Return

    Train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Are Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu Pueblo the same place?

Yes. The village's official name is Machu Picchu Pueblo, but it is still known as Aguas Calientes because of the hot springs.

How to get from the village up to Machu Picchu?

By bus, on the dirt switchback road, in about 25 minutes, or on foot via a stair trail taking 1h30 to 2 hours. Buses depart from the main street by the river.

Is it worth staying overnight in Aguas Calientes?

Yes — it's worth it to go up early to the sanctuary without relying on the pre-dawn train and to do Huayna Picchu or Montaña calmly.

What is the altitude of Aguas Calientes?

About 2,040 meters, well below Cusco. The Machu Picchu citadel is at about 2,430 meters.

Back to Aguas Calientes
Back