Peru Cusco Travel Guide - Peru Hotels - Cusco Hotels - Machu Picchu Tours

Called before Aguas Calientes, born as a result of the large influx of visitors arriving in growing groups to visit the archaeological complex adjacent. Here you can find: accommodation, restaurants, internet, etc

Location

Machu Picchu Town (6760 m.a.s.l.) is the closest town to the citadel of Macchu Picchu and it’s also the start point for the buses that will take you to the entrance of Macchu Picchu. The only way to get to Machu Picchu Town is by train and the company that is in charge of giving this service is Peru Rail. You have to take the train in the city of Cusco (San Pedro Train Station) and it will take you to Machu Picchu. You can buy a coming and return ticket or just one coming or one of return.

It is located 15 km to west of Machu Picchu Citadel (20 minutes), Machu Picchu Town called before Aguas Calientes, was born in consequence of the great tourism activity, increasing groups, to visit the archaeological complex adjacent. Its name is derived from the thermal springs located in the gorge which is used by the town as landscape, these thermal springs congregate thousands of travellers every afternoon, among them the ones who finished Inca Trail and they want to recover some energy after having finished those great journeys. Originally, the town was just a long “street” that was extended in both sides of the rail (today, Av. Imperio de los Incas). In the course of time the town begin to grow in a very disorganize way covering a bigger area, up gorge. Nowadays, I has a main square where a lithe church, the city hall and the main street are located (Pachaqutec Av.) that takes you to the thermal springs located in the highest part of the gully. Along this street, the principal restaurants and hostels are located for tourists…

In the town you can find:

• Lodging
• Restaurants
• Tourist information
• Internet
• Peru Rail office
• Medic Service

Highlights Places

If you have time, you’ll have to visit the waterfalls of Mandor where you can go by foot; it will take for about 40 minutes, all done by train.

Hot springs of Machu Picchu Town: about 2.624,67 feet from Macchu Picchu town, there is pools of sulphurous hot springs and each of them have different temperatures that come from the rocky ground.

The pools that were conditioned in this place have the proper infrastructure for the use of the hot springs. The average temperatures of the springs are between 38º (100.4ºF) and 46ºC (114.8ºF). There are also vestibules and bathrooms and a little snack bar.

Opening Hours

• The sanctuary is open from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• The hot springs can be visited from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• For the waterfall of Mandor you can visit it all day, because the family lives right at the entrance.

How to get to Machu Picchu Pueblo?

In order to arrive to Machu Picchu Town is by train and the company which offers this service is Peru Rail. You can take the train form Cusco (San Pedro Train Station) and it will take you to Machu Picchu Town. You can buy the train tickets, just one way or round trip or you can also reach Machu Picchu Citadel by doing Inca Trail and from there go down to Machu Picchu Town where you will find the services already mentioned.

Quick tips/Suggestions

Near to Mandor Waterfall you will be able to see “el gallito de las rocas”, The National Bird, typical of the zone that in the mating season they do noisy and communal exhibitions; these rites with feathers, the males whistle to attract the females. With lots of luck you’ll be able to see them, a natural show with unique properties.

Costs

In Machu Picchu town there is lots of hotels, their prices range from US$20.00 to US$130.00. There is also a camp site that is close to the river with an appropriate distance from it.

The town offers a variety of gastronomy local and international, massages etc. There is also internet service, the prices ranges from S/.1.50 for fifteen minutes to S/.3.50 the hour. There are also public telephones.

You won’t find ATMs cash points in the town, but you can change dollars in the Hotels and in the different shops.

Entrance fee to the waterfall of Mandor

Entrance fee to the hot springs