Aquas Calientes • Machu Picchu Town

Sometimes referred to as Machupicchu Town, Aguas Calientes (Spanish for “hot water” or “hot springs”), is the closest access point to the historical site of Machu Picchu, which is 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) away or about a 1.5 hours walk. There are many hotels and restaurants for tourists, as well as natural hot baths, which give the town its name.

Aguas Calientes serves as a terminal for the PeruRail passenger train service from Cusco. Trains serve locals and tourists arriving from Cusco and Ollantaytambo to visit Machu Picchu. A sheltered souvenir market is adjacent to the train station. Avenue Pachacutec is the town’s main and only thoroughfare, connecting the baths to the town’s main square.

 

There are these thermal baths that may have medicinal properties at 800 metres from the town of Aguas Calientes, which is precisely the name of the town (Hot Waters) due to its sulphurous waters coming up from the rocky subsoil. There is a steep trail with stairs that borders the mountain leading to the place.

The Inca Trail starts at the town of Aguas Calientes.

The thermal baths are not accessible for persons with restricted physical mobility, due to the difficult access; although, people with minor disabilities can enjoy a restoring bathe. In order to provide a better service, the Municipality of Aguas Calientes has built especial facilities such as dressing rooms, restrooms and a cafeteria. There is a series of pubs and restaurants along the way, where you can enjoy the hospitality of the local settlers and have a chat with visitors coming from all over the world.