Aguas Calientes is the sleepy little town that is the starting point to explore one of the most famous and fantastic ruins in the world, Machu Picchu.
Dec 05 - This report has been edited due to the small size of pictures allowed in version 1.
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Looking across Macchu Pichu towards Wayna Picchu
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Aguas Calientes is the sleepy little town that is the starting point to explore one of the most famous and fantastic ruins in the world, Machu Picchu.
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The whole point of being here are the ruins located by bus 25 minutes up a very windy and steep road. The town itself is basically one pedestrians only street. After a hard days climbing over the ruins the hot water springs that give the town it's name will soothe those aching muscles.
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Looking down from the top of Wayna Picchu - very high!
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Every one should go to Machu Picchu once in their life, it really is worth all the hype that surrounds it. The ruins are really quite large especially if you do the hike up to the peak Wayna Picchu, this is about 1 hour up and 1 hour down, very steep and hard going but worth all the effort. And then if you hike out to the Sungate, around 45 mins each way. This is the traditional entry point. There are so many hidden nooks and crannies it is fantastic. I really enjoyed spending a few days wandering in the town, the locals are friendly, accommodation is cheap and good as are the restaurants plus if you do spend a night or two it means you don't need to rush to maximise your time out at the ruins.
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Machu Picchu plus the hot springs are the two main sights in the town.
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We stayed at La Cabana Hostel, located up towards the top of the main street on the left. Beto and Martha and their kids are really welcoming along with Apu the four legged member of the family.
We only paid about 30 soles($8US) per night but it normally dearer than this. If you stay there try to get the room right at the top, lots of steps but with a balcony where you look all the way up the valley to Machu Picchu. Rooms are spotlessly clean with really good showers. Really recommended.
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The markets down along the railway track are not too bad. They seemed to have a few different pieces if you are looking at buying something to take home. It will more than likely be something woolly made of alpaca though.
Make sure you have costed the price of visiting the ruins into your budget it is not cheap, $35US return on the Backpackers train, $9US for a return trip on the bus from the town and $20US for entry into the ruins.
Also if you are doing the hike up to Wayna Picchu (and it is a must) you need to sign in by 1pm.
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Published on Tuesday July 16th, 2002
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Wed, Jun 28 2006 - 02:44 PM
 by karlakern
| me gustan tus fotos y tu descripción me da la impresión que te encantó este sitio, debo viajar a ecuador y tal vez perú, ojalá pueda visitar estos bellos lugares =) |
Fri, Apr 09 2004 - 05:08 PM
 by travelalain
| Great report about this city at the foot of Machu Picchu. If you liked the hike towards Wayna Picchu, you will love the Camino del Inca (3 day hiking trail) |
Tue, Mar 09 2004 - 05:48 AM
 by sologistic
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